What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nutrient Management Specialist | Internal position at State of Washington Dept. of Agriculture?
Description
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 Opportunity
The Nutrient Management Technical Services program (Program) serves Washingtonians by providing regulatory oversight of dairies and confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) through inspections and investigations; technical assistance; complaint response; stakeholder collaboration; enforcement of laws and regulations; outreach, education and training for operators; research support; and advocacy for livestock agriculture.
The Nutrient Management Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) works as a senior-level specialist providing technical services and assistance to dairy operators and other landowners on nutrient management including water quality protection and agronomy. The Nutrient Management Specialist collaborates extensively with partner agencies and organizations to advocate for agriculture and resource protection. This position serves as the Eastern Washington specialist on dairy inspections and compliance and supports WSDA groundwater nitrate protection efforts in the Yakima Valley and other nitrate priority areas. The Nutrient Management Specialist completes work in both an office setting as well as the field.
Important Notes
WSDA is recruiting for an internal full-time permanent Nutrient Management Specialist position within the Agricultural Environmental Services Division. This position is approved for a home duty station within Eastern, WA. This is a non-represented position.
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $67,992 Step A - $89,316 Step L annually.
Duties
Provides Senior-level Technical Support to Program Staff And Stakeholders
- Provide senior-level support on nutrient management and water quality best practices, and compliance assurance.
- Maintain expertise in area of specialty and respond to complex inquiries for technical assistance from growers.
- Represent and advise the Program on nutrient management rules and permit conditions affecting a broad spectrum of farms, from micro-dairies to expansive feedlot operations.
- Provide technical review and on-site support to external customers on nutrient management best practices including manure and process waste, stormwater storage and treatment systems, and land application practices.
- Assist livestock producers, crop growers, and agricultural businesses with accessing resource conservation programs.
- Provide interpretation, guidance, and assistance to dairy facility and permitted CAFO operators and other agricultural stakeholders regarding applicable regulations, nutrient management best practices, conservation practice standards, and sources of financial and technical support.
- Represent and advise the Program on nutrient management and water quality rules and permit conditions affecting farms in the assigned region.
Conduct Specialized & Routine Inspections & Investigations
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Conducts inspections, including to:
- Prioritize, manage, track and complete inspections for assigned livestock facilities to ensure compliance with state laws.
- Create reports from information collected during inspections and investigations and enter information into database systems.
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Conducts investigations, including to:
- Respond to high priority and complex threats to the environment and human health including complaints received by the program.
- Identify and recommend or require appropriate mitigating actions to address water quality issues to protect human health and the environment.
- Ensure evidence and water samples are collected in compliance with standard operating procedures and policy.
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Prepare and advise on appropriate enforcement to ensure compliance with state laws.
- Prepare timely and legally defensible documentation and supporting evidence in support of compliance.
- Cooperate with program staff and the Attorney General’s Office to compile necessary materials for cases that may potentially be presented before judicial courts and boards.
- Appear and testify on behalf of WSDA before judicial courts and boards on matters arising as a result of enforcement actions.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental/land use planning or other related field.
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Five (5) years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes -
- one year equal to an ES3 or above OR
- two years equal to an ES2 or above.
Additionally-
A Master's degree in one of the above fields and three (3) years of professional level experience as required above which includes one year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
OR
Ph.D. in one of the above fields and two years of professional level experience as required above which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.
OR
Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3.
Special Requirements:
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid state driver’s license prior to employment.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- Certification such as professional engineer, licensed geologist, licensed hydrogeologist, certified crop advisor, agronomist, technical services provider, or equivalent.
- Experience with compliance inspections, investigations, and administrative code enforcement.
- Agronomy and agricultural best management practices experience, including climate smart farm practices.
- On-farm experience and familiarity with livestock and the dairy industry.
- Experience managing water quality permits.
- Technical writing.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, duties, or qualifications, please reach out to Michael Isensee at misensee@agr.wa.gov and reference job #2025-06711.
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.
- Commute Trip Reduction Program.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.
How to apply:
- Current resume detailing experience and education
- A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
- Three professional references
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.
Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.
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
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
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.
Salary : $89,316
