Stormwater Compliance Unit Supervisor (WMS1)

Stormwater Compliance Unit Supervisor (WMS1)

Salary

$93,373.35 - $117,531.75 Annually

Location

King County - Shoreline, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-WQ2296-08292

Department

Dept. of Ecology

Division

Water Quality

Opening Date

10/06/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Stormwater Compliance Unit Supervisor (WMS1) within the Water Quality Programs Northwest Region section.

Location:

• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.

• The salary listed includes 5% premium pay due to the position location in King County.

• 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 week is required in the office.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by October 20, 2026

• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

As the Stormwater Compliance Unit Supervisor, you will lead a team of eleven inspectors who conduct compliance assurance activities for many of Washington's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permits. These include the Construction Stormwater, Industrial Stormwater, Boatyard, Upland Finfish, Winery, Vessel Deconstruction, and Bridge/Ferry Terminal Maintenance permits. Your team works directly with businesses, contractors, and facility operators to help them understand requirements, improve pollution control practices, and resolve compliance issues. You will oversee unique technical and regulatory work associated with high-profile stormwater management projects, including use of companion orders for construction activities on contaminated sites, Duwamish River source control activities, and transportation-related construction project compliance assurance.

In this role, you decide how to focus limited resources across some of the busiest counties in the state. You set priorities for inspections, complaint response, sector-based initiatives, and follow up actions. You support staff through training, coaching, and daily guidance, and you ensure that inspection reports, external correspondence, and enforcement documents are clear, accurate, and timely. You also make sure our enforcement actions meet legal and procedural standards. This position offers the opportunity to lead and grow a collaborative team and make a direct difference in protecting Washington's water quality.

What you will do:

• Lead, organize, and support the work of the Stormwater Compliance Unit. Ensure staff have the training, tools, and guidance they need, and provide timely feedback and professional development opportunities. Evaluate performance and take corrective or disciplinary action when needed. This includes frequent travel to permitted facilities across the state to train staff and observe fieldwork, including long distances and remote locations.
• Plan and manage the unit's workload. Coordinate annual planning, set priorities, assign work, support project teams across programs, and track progress to ensure tasks and commitments are completed on time.
• Develop and maintain procedures that support field staff safety, strong data and records practices, and efficient use of forms, paperwork, and agency data systems.
• Conduct recruitment efforts for vacant positions by preparing position descriptions and essential functions analyses, and serving as the hiring manager in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Serve as section contact for policy and program development within assigned areas. This includes work related to general permit implementation, use of the stormwater management manual, and Puget Sound No Discharge Zone implementation.
• Oversee recommendations for formal enforcement actions and guide the unit through any related appeals. Represent the program as the Lead Manager for appeals of Stormwater Compliance Unit enforcement actions. Provide technical support to the Attorney General's Office as needed. Serve as an expert witness or program representative in proceedings before the Pollution Control Hearings Board or other administrative bodies or courts.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Regulatory and Compliance Oversight - Ability to apply laws, permits, and policies to ensure consistent, accurate, and defensible compliance and enforcement decisions.
• Work Planning and Resource Management - Ability to organize work, set priorities, and allocate staff and budget to ensure program commitments and performance targets are met.
• Employee Leadership and Development - Ability to coach, evaluate, and support staff performance to build a skilled, confident, and effective team.
• Documentation and Quality Assurance - Ability to review reports, records, and enforcement documents to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to legal and policy requirements.
• Collaboration and Communication - Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with staff, managers, partners, and the public to ensure shared understanding and coordinated actions.
• Policy Interpretation and Implementation - Ability to understand and translate governmental policies and technical guidance into practical direction for staff and clear program actions.

Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, engineering, public administration, 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.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid drivers 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 permitted sites/facilities that have limited or no public transportation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supervising and recruiting employees.
• Technical expertise in stormwater management principles, stormwater treatment, and environmental compliance practices.
• Knowledge of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting, Clean Water Act regulations, Washington State stormwater requirements and associated technical guidance.
• Proven negotiation and facilitation skills used to resolve complex environmental challenges.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

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 Ecologys 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, schedule, or duties, please contact Rachel McCrea at Rachel.McCrea@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 Northwest Regions Water Quality Section

Ecology's NW Region consists of Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, Snohomish, King and Kitsap counties. All of our work plays a critical role in protecting and restoring Puget Sound. As a section, we are made up of over 60 positions, divided into five (5) units. Our offices are located in Shoreline and Bellingham, and our team and business are integrated across the two offices. Our work portfolio includes financial assistance, water cleanup planning and implementation, point source permitting, nonpoint source management, compliance assurance and enforcement.

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 Incentive, 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

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

How did you hear about this job?

• Community Based Organization
• Community / Technical College
• Ecology Employee
• Ecology Recruiter
• Ecology Jobs Page
• Facebook
• Job Board
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Newspaper
• Other State Agency
• Other Website
• Professional Association
• Twitter
• University Job Board
• WorkSource
• Other

02

If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, University Job Board, WorkSource, or Other, please share which one.

03

Have you ever worked for the Department of Ecology in any capacity including: Permanent, Non-Permanent, Project, Intern, or Volunteer?

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of experience do you have related to the duties of this position? Please include any experience gained through employment, internships, and/or volunteer positions. Note that experience gained from academic coursework, class projects, or other degree requirements is assessed in later questions.

• Two years
• Three years
• Four years
• Five years
• Six years
• Seven years
• Eight years
• Nine or more years
• None of the above

05

Please provide additional details to support your response above. The following information is needed: position title(s), specific duties, and periods of employment. Make sure your response specifically addresses the qualification above. An incomplete answer, including "please see resume" may remove you from further consideration.

06

Which statement best describes your proficiency in applying laws, permits, and policies to ensure consistent, accurate, and defensible compliance and enforcement decisions?

• None - I have not applied laws, permits, or policies to evaluate compliance or make enforcement decisions.
• Foundational - I have basic awareness and have supported compliance or enforcement tasks under close guidance.
• Intermediate - I can apply laws, permits, or policies with some guidance to support routine compliance evaluations.
• Advanced - I independently apply laws, permits, and policies to ensure consistent, accurate, and defensible compliance and enforcement decisions.
• Expert - I mentor others, lead compliance strategies, and help establish enforcement approaches or standards.

07

In 250 words or less, please describe an example of how you applied laws, permits, or policies to make a compliance or enforcement decision. If you do not have this experience, put N/A.

08

Which statement best describes your proficiency in organizing work, setting priorities, and allocating staff and budget to ensure program commitments and performance targets are met?

• None - I have not planned work or allocated staff or budget resources.
• Foundational - I have basic awareness and have supported work planning or resource allocation under guidance.
• Intermediate - I can organize work and assist with resource allocation with some guidance.
• Advanced - I independently plan work, prioritize activities, and allocate staff and budget to meet program commitments and performance targets.
• Expert - I lead program-level planning efforts, mentor others, and help establish resource management strategies.

09

In 250 words or less, please describe a situation where you organized work or allocated staff or budget resources to meet program goals. If you do not have this experience, put N/A.

10

Which statement best describes your proficiency in coaching, evaluating, and supporting staff performance to build a skilled, confident, and effective team?

• None - I have not coached, evaluated, or supported staff performance.
• Foundational - I have basic awareness and have supported staff development activities under supervision.
• Intermediate - I can coach or evaluate staff performance with some guidance.
• Advanced - I independently coach, evaluate, and support staff performance to build a skilled, confident, and effective team.
• Expert - I mentor other supervisors, lead staff development approaches, and help shape team leadership practices.

11

In 250 words or less, please describe how you've coached, evaluated, or supported an employee's performance. If you do not have this experience, put N/A.

12

Which statement best describes your proficiency in reviewing reports, records, and enforcement documents to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to legal and policy requirements?

• None - I have not reviewed program reports, records, or enforcement documents.
• Foundational - I have basic awareness and have assisted with document review tasks under supervision.
• Intermediate - I can review reports or records with some guidance to ensure accuracy and clarity.
• Advanced - I independently review reports, records, and enforcement documents to ensure accuracy, clarity, and compliance with legal and policy requirements.
• Expert - I mentor others, refine documentation standards, and help establish quality assurance practices.

13

In 250 words or less, please describe an example of a report, record, or enforcement document you reviewed and how you ensured its accuracy and compliance. If you do not have this experience, put N/A.

14

Which statement best describes your proficiency in communicating clearly and working effectively with staff, managers, industries, consultants, other governmental representatives, and the public to ensure shared understanding and coordinated actions?

• None - I have not communicated or collaborated with staff, managers, industries, consultants, other governmental representatives, or the public.
• Foundational - I have basic awareness and participate in communication or collaboration activities with guidance.
• Intermediate - I can communicate and collaborate effectively with some guidance to support shared outcomes.
• Advanced - I independently communicate clearly and work effectively with staff, managers, industries, consultants, other governmental representatives, and the public to ensure shared understanding and coordinated actions.
• Expert - I lead collaborative efforts, mentor others, and help shape communication practices and coordination strategies.

15

In 250 words or less, please describe a time you communicated or collaborated with others to ensure shared understanding or coordinated action. If you do not have this experience, put N/A.

16

Which statement best describes your proficiency in understanding and translating governmental policies and technical guidance into practical direction for staff and clear program actions?

• None - I have not interpreted or implemented governmental policies or technical guidance.
• Foundational - I have basic awareness and have supported policy interpretation or implementation with close guidance.
• Intermediate - I can interpret policies and provide direction with some assistance.
• Advanced - I independently interpret policies and technical guidance and translate them into clear direction for staff and actionable program steps.
• Expert - I advise others on policy interpretation, mentor staff, and help refine implementation approaches.

17

In 250 words or less, please describe how you interpreted or implemented a policy or guidance document to support program actions. If you do not have this experience, put N/A.

18

Which statement best describes your proficiency in assessing situations, weighing risks, and making sound, timely decisions that support program objectives and regulatory consistency?

• None - I have not made decisions that require assessing risks or weighing program objectives.
• Foundational - I have basic awareness and have supported decision-making efforts under supervision.
• Intermediate - I can make decisions with some guidance, considering routine risks or program needs.
• Advanced - I independently assess situations, weigh risks, and make sound, timely decisions that support program objectives and regulatory consistency.
• Expert - I lead decision-making processes, mentor others, and help establish decision-making frameworks or strategies.

19

In 250 words or less, please describe a situation where you assessed risks or made a timely decision that supported program objectives. If you do not have this experience, put N/A.

20

In 250 words or less, please describe your experience with stormwater management, environmental compliance and/or the Clean Water Act. If you do not have this experience, put N/A.

21

What is your level of education?

• 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits
• 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associates degree)
• 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Ph.D.
• None of the above

22

If you have college credits or a degree, please list your major(s) or field(s) of study and any degree(s) earned. If you dont have this education, put N/A.

23

The State of Washington and the Department of Ecology, play a vital role in fostering a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Respectful (DEIR) workplace and contributing to equitable outcomes for the communities we serve. We view DEIR 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. We believe it is everyones job to contribute to a DEIR workplace. Please tell us, what does it mean for you to have a commitment to DEIR in the workplace? What steps or actions have you taken to demonstrate your commitment previously?

24

Are you able to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license or provide alternate reliable transportation for travel within the state of Washington?

• Yes
• No

25

I understand that Ecology does not use the E-Verify system and is unable to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov