Water Quality Compliance Specialist; Environmental Specialist

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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

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:
  • 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 must include 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.

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college…