Water Quality Specialist

Why it's a great opportunity:

In this position with the Pierce County Surface Water Management (SWM) team
, your primary focus will be identifying and addressing activities or incidents that could result in pollutants entering stormwater systems and the environment. You will also lead programs that ensure compliance with the Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit requirements. Your efforts in collaboration with other divisions of Surface Water Management, such as water quality monitoring and inspection teams will contribute to reducing stormwater pollution that affects streams, lakes, groundwater, the Puget Sound, and the stormwater drainage systems of neighboring municipalities.

PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works here.

You and your team's success will come from the leadership, collaboration, and communications skills you bring for NPDES permitting, planning, coordinating, monitoring, assessment, and analysis of stormwater compliance work. Your knowledge of source control for existing developments, illicit discharges (IDDE), source control, stormwater compliance, stormwater pollution prevention plan development, and County facilities will further ensure your success. Training on measuring water quality parameters, stream gage stations, flow measurements, local, state, and federal regulations, and time-of-travel studies will keep your team up to date on new processes as they install, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot associated equipment.

Please note that this position works in both the field and in the office.

Please note that this position works in both the field and in the office. You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

• Lead of a water quality unit or program or project; assign work to a specific work unit and ensure tasks are completed correctly and timely; may approve leave requests and work schedules; provide input on performance evaluations.
• Conduct field investigations, interview witnesses, research property information, review applicable codes, photograph site, take water quality samples and gather additional evidence as necessary to confirm or identify violations.
• Provide direction, assistance and training to less experienced employees.
• Correspond with citizens, engineers, contractors, and other agencies in matters of spill prevention, water quality protection, and stormwater management; respond to complex questions and information requests regarding best management practices and stormwater management regulations.
• Oversee stream flow discharge following the USGS guidelines.
• Conduct monitoring of publicly-owned outfalls for stormwater characterization.
• Conduct effectiveness monitoring of specific best management practices.
• Conduct flow monitoring.
• Prepare quality assurance project plans (QAPPs) for monitoring programs.
• Conduct and direct on-site inspections of sophisticated or complex stormwater management facilities associated with industrial, commercial, and multi-family land use; determine or verify the proper operation and maintenance of stormwater management facilities and implementation of stormwater Best Management Practices.
• Meet with various entities and inform of violations; explain the intent of code and provide options on resolution through written and verbal communication.

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