Environmental Biologist 2

Full Job Description

Requirements

Why it's a great opportunity: In this Environmental Biologist role, you will apply your expertise in fisheries biology, wildlife species and habitat, wetland ecology, and environmental permitting to support Pierce County’s asset maintenance, wetland mitigation program, and capital improvement projects.

You will play a lead role in stewarding completed capital projects, ensuring long-term mitigation success and regulatory compliance.

This position offers hands-on field involvement, including on-site construction oversight and mitigation inspections, while also providing opportunities to build and maintain strong working relationships with construction teams and contractor representatives.

Through your technical expertise, field observations, and clear reporting, you will directly contribute to protecting and enhancing Pierce County’s wetlands, making a tangible, lasting impact on the County’s natural resources.

Why it's a great department: PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies.

PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community.

The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works here.

How to be successful in the role: Your success will come from building strong working relationships with effective communication of scientific data to County staff, elected officials, consultants, contractors, and internal and external stakeholder groups.

You will work with your knowledge of river, riparian, floodplain and watershed ecology, including fisheries biology, hydrology, water quality/water chemistry, plant and habitat areas, and geomorphology.

Understanding of key natural resources and endangered species issues currently affecting Pacific Northwest rivers and floodplains will help you further succeed in this role both in the office and field.

Your future in this role: You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success.

This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core daily responsibilities:

• Conduct site visits to evaluate the performance of completed capital projects during their regulatory monitoring periods; identify maintenance needs and lead contractor scopes of work to address deficiencies.
• Perform basic project management for consultants and contractors, including managing budgets associated with stewardship of completed capital assets.
• Verify the presence of wetlands and determine wetland boundaries and categories in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Prepare, review, and analyze complex wetland delineation reports, including delineations for problem or disturbed sites such as formal plats, large lots, commercial developments, and forested properties.
• Verify wetland delineations in the field, including complicated delineations conducted on problem or disturbed sites.
• Review and evaluate proposed wetland mitigation plans for adequacy and effectiveness in protecting wetlands from development impacts.
• Provide technical input and direction to consultants preparing wetland delineations, wetland delineation reports, or non-compensatory wetland mitigation documentation.
• Monitor and oversee consultants and contractors performing wetland-related work on behalf of Pierce County.
• Conduct wetland delineations and prepare wetland delineation documentation in compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines and procedures.
• Coordinate activities with other section staff, County departments, external agencies, and project applicants.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

Qualifications

• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• Additional education may substitute for the recruiting requirements.
• Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in botany, biology, environmental studies, fisheries, soil science, wildlife biology or a related field, AND
• Three years of related work experience, INCLUDING
• A minimum of one year experience delineating wetlands using the Unified Federal Manual and preparing wetland reports is required.
• A valid driver’s license required

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Additional Information

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration.

Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date.

Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments, phone screen, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step.

We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career.

We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision.

Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?