Municipal Stormwater Permit Planner (Environmental Planner 3)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Municipal Stormwater Permit Planner (Environmental Planner 3) within the Water Quality Program. This role is responsible for guiding the development and implementation of municipal stormwater programs run by city and county governments and special purpose districts. The position is located in Lacey, WA, and is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, with a requirement of at least one day per week in the office. The planner will be assigned to permittees in Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Cowlitz, and Clark County. The role involves providing technical assistance, assisting with program development and coordination, adapting permit requirements, responding to inquiries, reviewing permit submittals, and conducting compliance assurance activities including inspections, audits, and enforcement actions.

Requirements

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
Program Planning – Ability to plan and coordinate projects and initiatives to achieve program goals and improve environmental outcomes.
Policy Development – Ability to develop clear and practical policies, procedures, and standards to support consistent and effective permit and program implementation.
Technical Evaluation – Ability to evaluate technical documents, program materials, and local codes to determine whether they meet required standards and support program objectives.
Compliance & Enforcement Support – Ability to assess compliance through audits, inspections, and document reviews to identify issues and support appropriate corrective or enforcement actions.
Communication & Outreach – Ability to communicate technical and program information clearly and provide outreach and education to support understanding and engagement among partners and the public.
Collaboration & Relationship Building – Ability to work collaboratively and maintain effective relationships with agencies, local governments, organizations, and the public to support coordinated and successful program delivery.
Independent Judgment – Ability to use professional judgment to make sound decisions and manage complex tasks with minimal supervision to ensure effective program outcomes.
Education involving a major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, civil engineering, environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license or provide alternate reliable transportation for travel within the state of Washington.

Nice To Haves

Experience with complex Clean Water Act-related statutes, regulations, and permits.
Experience applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

Responsibilities

Provide stormwater planning technical assistance to local governments.
Assist counties and municipalities in developing, planning, and coordinating stormwater programs that benefit water quality.
Contribute as a member of a statewide team to continually adapt permit requirements in response to new information, population demands, and technological advancements.
Respond to inquiries, environmental reports, and other requests for technical assistance from permittees, other agencies and programs, and the public.
Review, comment, and approve permit submittals.
Conduct compliance assurance activities including inspections and audits of permittee programs, and initiate enforcement actions as needed.