Senior Environmental Scientist

The City of Redmond is a thriving, culturally diverse community, and home to over 80,000 residents. Redmond is the hub of an array of commerce and industry ranging from technology, aerospace, and gaming to biomedical and innovation start-ups.

The Environmental Scientist Senior serves as a subject matter expert in developing, leading, and managing a comprehensive surface water monitoring and data collection program to support watershed planning and aquatic habitat restoration initiatives.

This role leads the design of sound monitoring strategies, oversees data collection and analysis, and applies findings to guide restoration priorities and long-term water resource management. Responsibilities include developing monitoring protocols, ensuring data quality, managing field efforts, and integrating surface water data into watershed models and restoration planning.

The position contributes to environmental policy and standards for surface waters, wetlands, riparian zones, and aquatic habitats. It evaluates long-term ecological impacts, identifies infrastructure needs, and advises on major development projects.

Additional duties include preparing technical reports, managing budgets and contracts, and coordinating with internal teams, agencies, stakeholders, and landowners. The Environmental Scientist Senior may also work closely with staff, consultants, and contractors to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

• Leads the citys Surface Water Monitoring Program development, management and oversight
• Accountable for timely completion of program objectives and for submittal of satisfactory products
• Responsible for operational planning and assigning of projects, budgeting for time and funds, reviewing and evaluating achievements
• Provides expert level scientific consultation to engineering and planning functions. Participates with other professional staff in identifying and implementing solution to problems related to the application of the appropriate scientific discipline.
• Demonstrates an ability to identify the common risks and liability implications involved in public works activities and demonstrates an ability to apply scientific expertise in minimizing associated risks and liabilities.
• Evaluates previous studies; examine field conditions; measures properties and natural phenomena such as wetlands, streams, rivers and geologic materials; identifies issues and concerns; resolves contradictory data sources; diagnoses natural conditions; and predicts the future behavior of natural resources.
• Applies broad knowledge of principles and practices in specific areas of assignments.
• Presents conclusions orally and in writing to technical staff, management and the public; interacts with clients (public or internal customers) on technical issues and questions.
• Analyzes data and write comprehensive reports.
• Prepares technical documents and maps for use by technical staff, elected officials, management and the public.
• Develops standard operating procedures, policies, and forms for permitting activities.
• Develops and implements policies and standards for the protection and management of natural resources, including changes to Municipal Code, and Comprehensive Plan
• Trains and mentors program staff.
• Develops work plans for staff.

Knowledge of and Skills in

• Methods and techniques used to assess ecosystem health and environmental restoration techniques.
• Current literature, trends and developments in the field of specialization.
• Physical and natural sciences related to groundwater/ surface water quality and quantity, and wellhead management; principles and practices of hydrogeology, hydrology, geology, well hydraulics, soils, geochemistry, meteorology, and related earth science and engineering subjects.
• Conducting research and preparing, organizing, and maintaining records, spreadsheets, files, and relational databases.
• Oral and written communication
• Principles and practices of program/project development and administration.
• Experience with urban stormwater issues and
• Experience with streams, wetlands, salmonid ecology, and habitat restoration issues.
• Federal, State, regional, and local environmental regulations, including endangered species and surface water quality standards
• Database management; GIS.
• Sample collection methodology and procedures.
• Operation and maintenance of rain gauges
• Flow monitoring methodologies in engineered (e.g., pipes and vaults) and natural systems (e.g., streams) including the development of rating curves.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in an Environmental or Earth Science (biology, geology, hydrology, ecology), Environmental Engineering or a closely related field.
• Seven (7) years experience in environmental science, geology, hydrogeology or a closely related field, which includes three years of project administration and management responsibilities.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Licenses and Certificates

• Valid Washington State Driver's License required
• Valid licensing, such as Professional Geologist, depending on position.
• Valid certifications, such as HAZWOPER, depending on position.

Other

This class description describes the general nature of the work performed, representative duties as well as the typical qualifications needed for acceptable performance. It is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the job.

Our employees earn competitive wages and enjoy an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• MEDICAL INSURANCE - Choice of two plans for employees and their eligible dependents: Premera or Kaiser Permanente. All employee healthcare premiums paid for by the City of Redmond.
• PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE - Included with each medical plan
• DENTAL INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents
• VISION INSURANCE - For employees and their eligible dependents
• OTHER INSURANCE - Life, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability, optional employee-paid voluntary life insurance
• FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS - For tax savings on healthcare and dependent care expenses
• PAID VACATION & HOLIDAYS with (13) paid holidays per year
• EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
• RETIREMENT PLANS - Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) plus additional options that include Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (Social Security replacement plan) and MetLife 457 Plan
• Annual COLA adjustments
• Annual merit increases of up to 5%

To learn about benefits at the City of Redmond, please visit