Permit Developer and Facility Manager (Environmental Specialist 3)

State of Washington•Yakima County - Union Gap, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Permit Developer and Facility Manager (Environmental Specialist 3) within the Water Quality Program. This role is located in the Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA. The position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, with a requirement to work at least 10% of the schedule in the office. The Permit Developer and Facility Manager will be an integral part of a dynamic team of scientists, engineers, and hydrogeologists, collaboratively and independently developing and overseeing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)/State Waste Discharge (SWD) permits and accompanying fact sheets. These permits control wastewater discharges to protect Washington’s waters in the Central Region. The role requires knowledge of current and emerging industrial stormwater and wastewater trends and issues for permit development and compliance. Work involves close collaboration with internal teams, regulated entities, and the public to provide regulatory oversight of industrial wastewater discharges. The position is at the forefront of emerging trends and technology associated with industrial wastewater treatment and permitting, playing a key role in protecting public health, waterways, and the environment.

Requirements

Six (6) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
Regulatory Expertise – Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, and policies to ensure decisions and documents are accurate, consistent, and compliant.
Permit & Document Development – Ability to review information and prepare clear, accurate, and defendable regulatory documents to support consistent program decision-making.
Analysis & Problem Solving – Ability to evaluate information and data to identify issues and recommend practical, effective actions.
Field & Operational Assessment – Ability to conduct site visits and inspections to observe operations, verify requirements are met, and document findings clearly.
Technical Communication – Ability to explain technical and regulatory information in writing and verbally so others understand expectations, decisions, and processes.
Collaborative Work – Ability to work effectively with colleagues, facility representatives, and community partners to support coordinated efforts and shared objectives.
Education involving a major study in 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 position.
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, partner agency locations, and assigned inspection sites/facilities within the Central Region.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with environmental legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local level.
Experience with oral and written communication of complex issues and interpreting technical documents for a variety of audiences.
Experience or demonstrated familiarity with stormwater and industrial facilities.

Responsibilities

Develop draft permits and fact sheets using agency standard templates for internal and external review.
Solicit and respond to comments from permitted entities and the public.
Develop final permits for issuance.
Work with Water Quality staff throughout the State to ensure Industrial Unit NPDES permit development is in accordance with current Whole Effluent Toxicity testing standards.
Serve as the Central Region Water Quality Industrial Unit expert on contaminants of emerging concern.
Derive permit conditions based on legal and technical requirements for discharges to state waters, including evaluating complex biological, chemical, and physical properties of the discharge and receiving environment.
Perform statistical analyses on data from wastewater monitoring and receiving water.
Conduct permit compliance inspections and prepare inspection reports.
Communicate inspection findings to facilities.
Provide technical assistance to permittees or other affected entities and individuals to achieve permit compliance and water quality goals and objectives.
Provide technical assistance to legal counsel with the Attorney General’s Office on appeals of permits or enforcement actions.
Develop testimony and represent the agency as a witness in court cases or issues under consideration of administrative hearings boards.