- Salary: $66,012.00 – $88,800.00 Annually
- Location: Spokane County – Spokane, WA
- Job Type: Project (limited duration)
- Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
- Job Number: 2025-WQP1313-03899
- Department: Dept. of Ecology
- Division: Water Quality
- Opening Date: 06/10/2025
- Closing Date: Continuous
- Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
The salary listed above does not include the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a TMDL Lead of the Columbia River Toxics Reduction Project (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Water Quality Program.
This is a project position that is funded until September 30, 2029.
Location:
- Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA.
- Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
Schedule:
- This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
- A minimum of one day per pay period is required in the office.
- Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline:
- Apply by June 24, 2025
- 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 above date may not be considered.
Duties
You will work to ensure clean water in the large area known as the Columbia River Basin. You will assist a team of toxics reduction specialists and water quality staff in developing a Toxics Reduction Plan for the Columbia River watershed. You will work directly with regional water quality staff to write clean up plans for toxics (specifically Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Spokane River), provide technical assistance, and implement actions that reduce toxics in Washington’s waters. Public engagement is an important aspect of your position: facilitate financial assistance and provide information to the public about pollution prevention and clean up.
You can expect consistent interaction with the Columbia River Toxics Reduction team, the water quality staff in Ecology’s Central and Eastern regions, as well as numerous state and local agencies and the public. Field work involves grant monitoring activities and gaining an understanding of toxics issues in key watersheds.
You will bring to this position your understanding of the Clean Water Act, pollution prevention principles, key toxics impacting the Columbia Basin, as well as principles of collaboration and public engagement.
What you will do:
- Work closely with other regional Water Quality staff and integrate water quality efforts into Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) plans; develop and implement specific Columbia Basin toxics reduction approaches and adaptive management strategies.
- Perform watershed evaluations and identify sources of toxic pollutants from point and nonpoint pollution sources. Develop strategies to bring these sources into compliance with state water quality laws.
- Provide outreach and technical support to other EPA Lead Entity Grantees and interested parties such as: the Upper Columbia United Tribes, Washington State Department of Agriculture, and Chelan County Natural Resources Department.
- Organize public meetings, prepare information for public review, and coordinate toxics TMDL goals with local groups.
- Manage grants and loans program for project grantees performing toxics reduction projects, including the Spokane River toxics reduction grants. In this capacity, provide support to grantees on project ideas, evaluate grant proposals, negotiate funding agreements, and provide regional oversight on the implementation of funded projects.
- Participate in EPA’s Columbia River Basin Restoration Working group.
Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.
Required Qualifications:
Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:
- Experience 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:
- Communicating complex technical information to general audiences.
- Reviewing scientific studies, environmental clean-up plans, laboratory reports, and/or performing environmental data analysis.
- Technical writing.
- Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
- Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
- Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
- Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.
- 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 position.
Examples of how to qualify:
- 9 years of experience.
- 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
- 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
- 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
- 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
- 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
- 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
Desired Qualifications:
- Demonstrated ability to understand environmental regulations at the federal, state, and local level.
- General knowledge of water pollutants, impacts of toxic chemicals in water systems, and their sources.
- Ability to participate in collaborative decision making and problem-solving processes.
If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.
Supplemental Information
Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
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.
Application Process
Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:
- Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
- Resume
Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.
For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.
Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
Need an Accommodation?
If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:
- Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
- If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.
Questions?
- For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Adriane Borgias at Adriane.Borgias@ecy.wa.gov
- If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov
About the Water Quality Program
We work together and with our communities to sustain healthy, thriving watersheds and provide cool, clean water to fish, shellfish, wildlife, people, and businesses. We ensure future generations have improved access to clean water even as our climate changes.
We approach our work with respect and trust. We are committed to building and sustaining a workplace culture that values diversity, innovation, transparency, teamwork, and continual learning. We honor our responsibility to the people of Washington to ensure clean water is accessible to all, including those currently and historically excluded from the experience.
Our agency participates in the Columbia River Basin Restoration workgroup, a representative collaboration funded by Section 123 of the Clean Water Act. The group, dedicated towards understanding and reducing toxics across the basin, includes a diverse set of representatives from Tribal governments, states, industries, utilities, non-governmental organizations. In 2023 the Department of Ecology received funding as a lead entity under the Columbia River Basin Geographic program to develop a strategic plan and administer a subaward program.
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 Incentives (Download PDF reader), 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
Employer: State of Washington
Address: View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Phone: View Posting for Agency Contact
Website: http://www.careers.wa.gov
