Water Quality Activities and Municipal Wastewater Grants and Loans Specialists (ES4)(Two Positions)

 The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring two positions: Water Quality Activities Grants and Loans Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) and Municipal Wastewater Grant and Loan Project 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:

• These positions are eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of three days per week is required in the office for the first six months. In office time is negotiable after six months.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by July 12, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

In the Water Quality Activities Grants and Loans Specialist position:
On behalf of Ecology, you will manage grants and loans funding stormwater and nonpoint projects that improve water quality in the streams and lakes in the Northwest Region. You will be part of dynamic, project-specific teams that collaborate with local municipalities, Tribes, conservation districts, and nonprofit organizations during all phases of the grant/loan. You will work independently and with your teams to:

• Provide technical environmental support and administrative guidance to grant/loan recipients in the planning, design, construction, and/or implementation phases of funded projects.
• Apply your knowledge about approaches that improve water quality.
• Learn first-hand from grant applicants and recipients about implementing water quality projects.

What you will do:

• Manage grants and loans in accordance with agreement terms, state and federal statutes, rules, and Program & Ecology policies and procedures.
• Evaluate funding proposals and develop grant/loan agreements for the funded projects. 
• Coordinate internally with other Water Quality Program staff to ensure successful implementation of the funded projects.
• Apply current science of stormwater and nonpoint specialty-area topics, as applicable to grants and proposals.
• Communicate both verbally and in writing with individuals, agencies, local governments, Tribes, and the public. 
• Actively participate in and contribute to internal workgroup efforts to improve and streamline program processes, develop program guidance, fill knowledge gaps, and train new staff.
• Present grant/loan guideline information, both virtually and at local workshops and other outreach opportunities. 

In the Municipal Wastewater Grant and Loan Project Specialist position:
You will collaborate with public works professionals, engineers and financial planners to develop and oversee grant and loan projects for wastewater facility improvements that will benefit water quality in Washington state. You will help us to provide financial assistance for:

• Wastewater system planning.
• Designing new or expanded wastewater collection and treatment facilities.
• Constructing new or expanded wastewater facilities.

What you will do:

• Reviewing and evaluating municipal wastewater facility grant and loan applications.
• Assisting grant and loan applicants and recipients prepare environmental, cultural resource, and environmental justice review documents.
• Negotiating and managing clear project scope of work, budgets, and timelines for project deliverables.
• Tracking compliance with grant and loan agreement requirements.
• Tracking project performance and ensuring that recipients achieve expected outcomes by negotiated completion dates.
• Reviewing and certifying grant and loan payment requests and Progress Reports to verify work complies with the agreement and applicable statutes, rules, policies and procedures.

• Providing technical assistance to potential applicants and recipients helping them understand our funding program, policies, procedures, and tools.

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 performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the essential functions and key activities of the position, that includes two or more of the following:
  • Grant and Loan Project Management – Experience managing funding agreements to ensure projects are completed successfully and meet program requirements.
  • Regulatory Review – Experience applying regulatory requirements to ensure projects comply with state and federal laws.
  • Infrastructure and Systems Understanding – Ability to assess public infrastructure projects to determine their needs, feasibility, and expected benefits.
  • Communication and Partner Support – Ability to clearly convey information and work with partners to resolve issues and support informed decisions.
  • Program Coordination – Ability to coordinate work across programs, units, and partners to ensure consistent decisions and smooth project delivery.
  • Data, Documentation, and Analysis – Ability to review and track project information to support accurate oversight and decisions.
• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.

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:

• Experience reviewing and understanding complex technical documents.
• Experience working with complex water quality-related statutes, regulations, and permits. 
• Experience applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Experience implementing stormwater infrastructure and/or nonpoint restoration projects.
• Experience in planning, contract management, and/or grant and loan management for public works improvement projects.

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. 

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.

Our Commitment to DEIR

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.

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 these positions’ location options, schedules, or duties, please contact:
  • Water Quality Activities Grants and Loans Specialist position: Cleo Neculae at Cleo.Neculae@ecy.wa.gov
  • Municipal Wastewater Grant and Loan Project Specialist position: Shawn McKone at Shawn.McKone@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 Water Quality Program

The mission of the Water Quality Program is to ensure that all aquatic life and communities in the watershed experience cool, clean water to refresh and sustain us in a changing climate.

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.

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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