- Salary: $101,368.00 – $126,528.00 Annually
- Location: Spokane County – Spokane, WA
- Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
- Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
- Job Number: 2025-WQ2584-04051
- Department: Dept. of Ecology
- Division: Water Quality
- Opening Date: 06/12/2025
- Closing Date: Continuous
Description
The salary listed above does not include the scheduled 3% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Water Quality Eastern Region Section Manager (WMS2) within the Water Quality Program.
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 two days per week is required in the office.
- Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline:
- Apply by June 26, 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
Are you someone who likes to bring out the best in your team? To develop and manage a team of professionals through challenging situations, all while protecting clean water? This could be the job for you!
As the Eastern Regional Section Manger, you will manage a team of 42 and report to the Water Quality Program Manager. You will drive and oversee the planning, strategy, and coordination for the section. You will be responsible for the effective and timely oversight of over 600 permitted facilities, financial assistance for wastewater infrastructure and riparian protection in the region, and outreach with our many external partners.
What you will do:
- Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate professional employees, supervising a team of eight staff and managers.
- Plan, manage, and organize the work of the Eastern Regional section to ensure effective performance
- Make critical choices regarding highly technical wastewater treatment approvals, enforcement actions for violations of multiple state and federal laws and regulations, and workload deligations regarding the entire section staff.
- Communicate effectively with program and agency managers, other agencies, elected officials, tribal governments, and interested parties.
- Coordinate and negotiate complex and contentious issues with all levels of government and industry.
- As a member of the Water Quality Program Management Team, represent the section’s needs and provide substantive input to major policy issues and program decisions.
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 in environmental: analysis, control, planning, or community outreach. Experience must include at least 5 years of supervisory experience.
- Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, planning, business administration, or closely allied field.
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:
- Leadership and management skills that promote a productive and supportive work environment.
- Demonstrated skills in working on complex public policies.
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
- Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations.
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 David Giglio at David.Giglio@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
The mission of the Water Quality Program 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. Our vision is that Washington’s communities work together and with us to sustain healthy, thriving watersheds and provide cool, clean water to fish, shellfish, wildlife, people, and businesses. Future generations have improved access to clean water even as our climate changes.
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.
Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.
#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
