Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen. The Department of Ecology is hiring a Trust Water Right Acquisition and Contract Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) within the Office of Columbia River. Location:Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. Schedule:This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options. During the initial training period, up to three in-office days per week may be required. After successful completion of the probationary period, and with supervisor approval, an expanded telework schedule may be requested. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Application Timeline: Apply by June 3, 2026 Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed. Duties As the Trust Water Right Acquisition and Contract Specialist, you will help shape the future of water management in the Columbia River Basin while supporting Washington’s environmental and community needs. In this role, you also serve as the Office of Columbia River’s program expert in trust water, acquisitions, contracting, and cost reimbursement, leading efforts that expand water supplies for communities, industry, agriculture, and critical instream flows. You’ll take on some of the region’s most challenging and high-impact water management issues—complex projects that require creativity, collaboration, and a strategic mindset. Your expertise will help ensure reliable water supplies during drought, support new development, and protect the health of the Columbia River system for generations to come. In this role, you will manage contracts, influence policy, guide project priorities, and collaborate with technical, legal, and operational teams. You’ll negotiate water banking and trust water agreements, oversee key data systems, and shape the tools used to move major water development projects forward. If you thrive in environments where innovation, problem-solving, and public impact come together, this position offers you both the platform and the purpose to make a measurable difference. What you will do:Serve as the program’s lead expert on trust water rights, water banking, and acquisitions, guiding complex contracting and negotiation efforts that shape long-term water supply for the Columbia River Basin. Lead negotiations for Trust Water and Water Banking Agreements, ensuring projects align with program priorities and deliver meaningful instream and out-of-stream benefits. Advise management on project strategy, priorities, risks, and emerging issues, helping the program navigate obstacles and make informed, high-impact decisions. Review consultant and junior staff work on water development projects, identifying issues early and recommending corrective actions to keep projects on track and aligned with agency standards. Direct development, scheduling, and information needs for water development projects, ensuring consistent, timely progress from concept through contracting and closure. Operate and coordinate the program’s Cost Reimbursement process, including advising teams on when cost reimbursement is the appropriate tool versus using OCR staff for permitting. Support the Operations Section and the Financial and Projects Section in developing and managing cost reimbursement contracts for complex, high-visibility water development efforts. Oversee trust water and water banking data across program databases, collaborating with Water Resources staff to maintain accuracy and support informed decision-making. Qualifications For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website. Required Qualifications:Ten (10) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:Complex Contract Negotiation and Agreement Management: Skill in negotiating, drafting, and administering complex contracts or financial agreements, including advising leadership on contract terms, risks, compliance requirements, and closing processes. Regulatory or Legal Interpretation and Technical Review: Ability to interpret and apply statutes, rules, regulatory guidance, or contractual requirements; evaluate technical or regulatory work products for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with program standards. Advanced Project or Program Management: Competence in planning, prioritizing, and managing multi-step projects or programs involving multiple partners, schedules, and deliverables; ensuring high-quality results under tight timelines. Analytical Problem-Solving and Risk Identification: Skill in analyzing issues, identifying emerging risks or inconsistencies, and recommending preventative or corrective actions to inform program decisions. Effective Communication and External Representation: Ability to communicate complex or technical information clearly to internal and external audiences; represent the program in meetings, presentations, or professional forums; collaborate effectively with other programs, agencies, partners, or organizations. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Collaboration Platforms: High-level ability to use Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, MS Teams, and related tools to produce analysis, documentation, presentations, and program records. Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, geography, law with an environmental emphasis, paralegal studies, or closely related field. Examples of how to qualify:10 years of experience . years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits . years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).7 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits . years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree . years of experience AND a Master’s degree . years of experience AND a PhD. Desired Qualifications:Experience leading work on controversial or high-profile resource projects requiring significant partner coordination. Experience advising management on policy, legislation, or rulemaking related to water resources. Experience supervising or mentoring junior staff or consultants. Experience presenting to statewide, regional, or national commissions, conferences, or professional organizations. Experience coordinating with Financial or Accounting units on contract funding, reimbursement structures, or project closeout. Advanced analytical skills related to water resource project evaluation, risk assessment, or issue resolution. If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.