Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Water Resources Program. (WR)

Location: 

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, 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.

• This position is required to be in the office 2 days each week, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by October 11, 2026

• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

In this role, you will have the exciting opportunity to implement Washington Water Law. You will be responsible for managing, processing, evaluating, and drafting support documents for water right decisions. This includes completing investigations by researching, collecting, and analyzing technical data and other information to support water right decisions. You will have the opportunity to identify issues and find possible solutions. You will get to interact with other government agencies, municipalities, and citizens that are looking for water for their projects or homes. There is also an opportunity to let your GIS and mapping skills shine. We are looking for people that want to make a difference, enjoy being part of a team, and are willing to learn.

What you will do: 

• Recommend and process water right decisions.
• Conduct investigations and technical reviews to support decisions.
• Evaluate projects for feasibility, compliance with laws, regulations, and policies.
• Work with other local and state government agencies and Tribes regarding Washington water law.
• Respond to inquiries from water right applicants, their consultants, other agency staff and the public.
• Develop maps and locate water rights using GIS and web mapping tools and software.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Nine years of combined education and/or experience performing related to the duties of the position, that includes the following:

• Experience collecting, researching, and analyzing complex hydrologic or hydrogeologic data to support technical evaluations and regulatory decisions.

• Ability to apply scientific, hydrologic, or hydrogeologic findings and/or principles to permitting related decisions.

• Demonstrated skill in preparing technical written reports that summarize analyses, findings, and defensible recommendations for permitting decisions.

• Ability to conduct and interpret field investigations under the oversight of a licensed hydrogeologist, including groundwater and surface water related analyses.

• Experience reviewing proposed water related projects for legal, technical, and policy compliance.

• Strong communication and customer service skills, with the ability to interact professionally with applicants, consultants, tribal governments, partner agencies, and the public.

• Ability to manage and monitor complex permitting systems, for example water right authorizations.

• Familiarity with GIS and mapping tools to analyze and document water rights information, and ability to serve as a technical resource on mapping related tasks.

• Ability to mentor and support junior staff, collaborate on statewide workgroups, and independently manage workload priorities in a regulatory environment.

Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or related studies.

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.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor Degree 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.  

• Demonstrated professional experience implementing water resource management laws and rules Knowledge of Washington State water law, related rules, policies, and water rights permitting processes, 

• Experience in applied geology, hydrogeology, or related disciplines.  

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.

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. 

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

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 the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Melanie Redding at Melanie.Redding@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

Water Resources Program Mission: We manage water resources to benefit all Washingtonians and to protect the natural environment for current and future generations.

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 Incentive, 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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