Water Quality Compliance Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Water Quality Compliance Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Water Quality Program.

Location:

• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.
• The salary listed includes 5% premium pay due to the position location in King County.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• This position requires routine field work that will necessitate travel in the NW Region counties multiple times a week.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by March 15, 2026
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

Are you an experienced stormwater inspector that is interested in working with a variety of industrial facilities and expanding into wastewater management at fish hatcheries, wineries and unique bridge and ferry maintenance projects? You will serve as a senior environmental section specialist by conducting compliance inspections at sites covered under the Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISGP), the Bridge and Ferry Terminal Maintenance General Permit (BFTMGP), the Upland Finfish Hatching & Rearing General Permit (UFHRGP) and the Winery General Permit (WGP). 

These compliance inspections ensure that these sites are complying with their permit and therefore protecting Puget Sound water quality, which includes reducing toxic contaminants in the southern resident orca population’s food web. You will help facilities come into compliance with their permit, provide technical assistance, evaluate water quality monitoring data, review Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) and other permit submittals, write inspection reports, and prepare recommendations for enforcement actions. While the ISGP focuses on stormwater, the UPHRGP, BFTMGP and WGP are more nuanced and complex with different types of process/wastewater and stormwater discharges from more unique types of work.

What you will do:

• Plan and lead compliance inspections for a variety of industrial sites and hatcheries, documents inspections.
• Monitor and evaluate compliance including reviewing data reports, annual reports and other required submittals.
• Review pollution prevention plans, best management practices, and provide technical assistance to prevent water pollution.
• Investigate non-compliance, conduct informal enforcement, and compose draft recommendations for formal enforcement actions.
• Coordinate with permit implementation teams striving for state-wide consistency, technical expertise, and permit processes.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the essential functions and key activities of the position, that includes one or moreof the following:
  • Regulatory Interpretation & Application - Ability to understand and apply laws, rules, or program guidance to decide what requirements apply, whether organizations are following them, and what needs to be corrected.
  • Compliance Assessment & Inspection - Ability to plan, carry out, and document inspections and compliance evaluations to determine whether operations or activities meet applicable rules or standards.
  • Investigation & Evidence Development - Ability to investigate complaints, incidents, or potential violations and gather clear, well-organized evidence to explain what happened and support decisions, corrective actions, or enforcement.
  • Independent Work & Task Management - Ability to organize, prioritize, and carry out work so that inspections, investigations, and other responsibilities are completed accurately and on time.
• Experience mustinclude demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
  • Technical Communication & Documentation - Ability to clearly explain and document technical, regulatory, or procedural information in plain language to help people understand requirements, actions taken, and next steps
  • Using critical/analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to resolve environmental issues
  • Reviewing and writing scientific and regulatory documents for environmental projects
  • Conducting field work, research, studies, and/or scientific data analysis for environmental projects
• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or a closely related academic discipline.

 
Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with stormwater permits, stormwater management techniques, guidance manuals, and/or regulatory inspections.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and implement state and federal water pollution laws and regulations, permit programs, and policies.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Amy Jankowiak at Amy.Jankowiak@ecy.wa.gov
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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