Jan 8, 2026 / Student Career Opportunities

WA Department of Ecology Hiring Water Quality Permit Administrator

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Water Quality Permit Administrator (Environmental Specialist 1) within the Water Quality Program. To learn more and apply, please visit the official job posting.

Location:

  • Headquarters Office in Lacey, 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 three days per week is required in the office.
  • Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

  • Apply by January 21, 2026
  • 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 date above may not be considered.

Duties

You will work with our General Permits Unit within the Southwest Region to manage and maintain permit data in our water quality databases while also providing technical assistance to our customers. You will be engaging regularly with team members who oversee the following stormwater permits for water quality protection: construction, sand and gravel, industrial, boatyards, upland hatcheries, and wineries.

What you will do:

  • Administer documents by tracking, entering data, ensuring proper records retention, and organizing files.
  • Review and comment on draft documents for consistency with other permit documents.
  • Notify and coordinate with permit managers when project tasks are complete to keep projects on schedule.
  • Prepare routine correspondence, draft documents, and reports.
  • Provide administrative technical assistance to our customers.
  • Review compliance and enforcement documentation for completeness and consistency, when applicable.
  • Edit documents for accessibility and work with subject matter experts to analyze and summarize Environmental Justice information on our facilities.
  • Enter information into the permit and enforcement tracking tools to keep them accurate and updated. Help improve the tracking tools over time.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Four (4) 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 two or more of the following:
    • Data and System Administration – Ability to manage and maintain program databases, tracking systems, and SharePoint sites to ensure accurate data entry, reliable information access, and smooth daily operations.
    • Document Processing and Quality Assurance – Ability to review, prepare, and process documents, fact sheets, and reports to ensure they are complete, accurate, and aligned with organizational standards, environmental rules, and regulations.
    • Reporting and Tracking – Ability to compile, review, and produce routine tracking reports to monitor program activities, identify missing or late submissions, and support timely follow-up.
    • Technical Assistance and Customer Support – Ability to explain procedures, system requirements, and reporting tools clearly and provide technical assistance to permittees to ensure they can meet reporting obligations and successfully use required systems.
  • 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 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:

  • 4 years of experience.
  • 3 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
  • 2 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
  • 1 year of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
  • No experience AND a Bachelor’s degree or above.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Effective communication, both written and verbal.
  • Basic computer skills, including database management.
  • Working with customers, internally and externally.

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.

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