Natural Resource Scientist Supervisor – Internal

Description

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Agricultural Environmental Services (AES) Division within the Department of Agriculture protects the public interest, health, and welfare of the people of the state of Washington by providing cost efficient and effective services for the regulation of pesticides and fertilizers, supporting scientific analysis that addresses concerns to public health and the environment from agricultural activities, and protecting public health through scientific and regulatory support of the cannabis and dairy industries.

Duties

What to Expect

Some of the various responsibilities within this role include:

Serve as unit supervisor for WSDA staff and cooperator teams to achieve agency performance objectives related to soils, climate, and conservation practice adoption

• Supervise WSDA soil staff and direct data management and field data collection priorities.
• Train and supervise other professional consultants involved in data research. Prioritize, assign, and schedule research activities of direct reports.
• Identify gaps in WSDA programs and chart a path to filling gaps by designing programs, research questions, tools, and strategies.
• Maintain oversight and accountability for ensuring quality progression all unit projects, including Soil Health Ambassador Program, STAR, and data tool development, among other stand-alone research efforts.
• Ensure all unit projects are stakeholder-led and made accessible through widespread promotion and advocacy, in close collaboration with WaSHI Extension Coordinator and NRAS Comms Consultant.
• Coach staff; provide professional development opportunities; provide technical and mentorship support and oversight.
• Develop and maintain budgets for program operations and contracts.
• Work closely with NRAS program manager and director of conservation policy to assess administrative feasibility and level of need for new projects, funding, and staff.

• Deploy Esri tools and programming languages to develop and implement innovative decision-support tools based on sound science and stakeholder need.
• Translate the data needs of network subject matter experts into modern data frameworks (data collection, editing, viewing, analyses, reporting, and storage).
• Write, document, and maintain code to automate internal and collaborative workflows.
• Design and maintain the statewide soil health database.
• Manage ArcGIS Online hosted feature server.
• Author, maintain, and enforce technical documentation (e.g., Data Management Plan) for partners and direct reports on data management procedures and guidelines.
• Provide technical oversight and ensure strategic alignment for all data products generated by direct reports.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system issues and technical problems with WaSHI and NRAS databases and tools.

• Contribute to WaSHI leadership team by attending meetings and executing related projects, including attending and planning annual Advisory Team meeting and managing contributions for quarterly blog.
• Contribute to NRAS leadership team by attending monthly meetings and executing related projects, including implementation of strategic plan and folder and file storage improvements.
• Provide training and consultation to collaborators for improved data management and utilization, across folder storage and within specific datasets.
• Maintain awareness of relevant emerging data sources, technologies, and strategies and advise partners on when and how to implement lessons learned.
• Present projects within WaSHI portfolio at conferences and meetings with internal and external partners.
• Maintain awareness of data needs and strategies across WaSHI and NRAS network for increased collaboration and cohesion.
• Support partner engagement, education and outreach, research, and project implementation via written and oral communication.
• Support collaborative grant applications and research proposals.
• Identify opportunities for collaborations with local, national, and private partners.

Qualifications

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

• Bachelor’s degree with major study in a natural science. AND Six (6) years of professional research work experience in environmental and data science.

• A master’s degree, without a PhD degree in a specialty field, will substitute for two years of the required experience, provided the field of major study was in the specialty field. A Ph.D. degree will substitute for three years of the required experience, provided the field of major study was in the specialty field.

• Equivalent education/experience.

• One (1) year experience as a supervisor, lead, or mentor.

• Data science expertise; has produced a portfolio of decision support tool using programming languages and data management best practices.  

Supplemental Information

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency. 

How to apply 

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:    

· A resume detailing experience and education

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement. 

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.

Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. 

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here. 

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.