Permit Manager and Data Quality Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)(In-Training)

This is your opportunity to join a high performing team that’s shaping the future of water quality in the Eastern Washington region. In this role, you’ll partner with facility owners and operators as they navigate the permitting process. You’ll build out database tools that keep critical information organized, track important permit records, review submittals to ensure they meet environmental laws and rules, conduct occasional inspections, and help coordinate responses to environmental incidents reported by the public., As you grow in this work, you’ll gain hands-on experience that prepares you to advance your career in environmental permitting, compliance, and inspection. If you’re excited about protecting Washington’s waters and supporting responsible facility operations, this is a role where you can truly make an impact. What you will do:

• Implement and manage water quality permits.
• Provide technical assistance to facilities to improve compliance.
• Conduct inspections and respond to complaints.
• Manage the permit application acceptance process.
• Develop database tables for facilities to report required discharge monitoring results.
• Draft documents for compliance and enforcement efforts.
• Manage the regional program’s Environmental Incident response and reporting.

At the Environmental Specialist 2 level (In-Training) Pay Range 47, $4,300 - $5,779 monthly Five (5) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Permit and Compliance Management - Ability to understand and apply environmental requirements to review applications, make permitting decisions, and ensure facilities meet regulatory obligations.
• Inspection and Incident Evaluation - Ability to assess sites and environmental incidents to identify problems, document conditions, and determine the appropriate follow-up actions.
• Enforcement Documentation and Case Support - Ability to prepare clear, accurate enforcement materials and records to support fair and defensible compliance actions.
• Data and Information Management - Ability to set up, manage, and maintain data systems to ensure information used for compliance, reporting, and decision-making is accurate and reliable.
• Technical and Scientific Analysis - Ability to review technical documents, interpret environmental data, and evaluate potential impacts to support sound regulatory decisions.
• Communication and Collaboration - Ability to explain technical information clearly and work effectively with facilities, colleagues, and partner agencies to support compliance and coordinated work.

Education involving a major study in an 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 of the position.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 5 years of experience.
• 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree or higher.

At the Environmental Specialist 3 level (Goal Class) Pay Range 53, $4,980 - $6,708 monthly Six (6) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Permit and Compliance Management - Ability to understand and apply environmental requirements to review applications, make permitting decisions, and ensure facilities meet regulatory obligations.
• Inspection and Incident Evaluation - Ability to assess sites and environmental incidents to identify problems, document conditions, and determine the appropriate follow-up actions.
• Enforcement Documentation and Case Support - Ability to prepare clear, accurate enforcement materials and records to support fair and defensible compliance actions.
• Data and Information Management - Ability to set up, manage, and maintain data systems to ensure information used for compliance, reporting, and decision-making is accurate and reliable.
• Technical and Scientific Analysis - Ability to review technical documents, interpret environmental data, and evaluate potential impacts to support sound regulatory decisions.
• Communication and Collaboration - Ability to explain technical information clearly and work effectively with facilities, colleagues, and partner agencies to support compliance and coordinated work.

Education involving a major study in an 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 of the position.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 6 years of experience.
• 5 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 3 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree or higher.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or provide alternate reliable transportation for travel within the state of Washington.
• Regular travel is required between Ecology headquarters, regional offices, and assigned inspection sites/facilities.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with environmental regulations.
• Experience with customer service.
• Experience in preparation of professional documents and data management.

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

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., About the Water Quality Program The mission of the Water Quality Program (WQP) 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. The Program’s Eastern Region Office is in Spokane, Washington and offers flexible work schedules and a dynamic, collaborative group of employees committed to protecting Washington’s surface and groundwaters. Spokane is located 92 miles from the Canadian border and is neighbors with Idaho. We are located near mountains and forests with many streams and lakes within a short drive. 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. #LI-Hybrid