Senior Wastewater Discharge Permit Developer​/Permit Manager; Environmental Specialist

Overview

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Wastewater Discharge Permit Developer/Facility Manager (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's 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 after successful completion of the probationary period.
• A minimum of two days per week is required in the office after successful completion of the probationary period.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline

• Apply by February 1, 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.

You will be supporting Ecology’s mission and representing the Water Quality Program as an Environmental Specialist. Under the general supervision of the Industrial Wastewater Permits Unit (IWPU) Supervisor, you will be responsible for independently developing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, State Waste Discharge (SWD) permits, and accompanying fact sheets for the industrial facilities in the northwest region of Washington state.

You will be responsible for reviewing permit reports, conducting facility inspections, providing technical assistance, conducting complaint investigations, conducting compliance reviews, and providing technical support for enforcement recommendations. You will also work with other internal staff when needed to provide technical assistance to industrial facilities and to develop compliance or enforcement actions.

What you will do

• Develop wastewater discharge permits.
• Review and analyze water quality monitoring data to determine a facility’s compliance.
• Conduct facility inspections, provide technical assistance, and write inspection reports.
• Review wastewater discharge permit related technical reports.
• Assist with the development of enforcement actions.
• Communicate complex technical issues both verbally and in writing.
• Work with the Ecology communications team to respond to media enquiries.

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 more of the following:
  • Writing and/or managing NPDES or State Wastewater discharge permits
  • Performing permitting and/or regulatory inspections
  • Communicating complex technical issues and providing technical assistance regarding environmental projects
  • Assisting entities with regulatory requirements, including options for coming into compliance
  • Wastewater treatment system design, development, and maintenance
• Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
  • 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…