Municipal Stormwater Permit Implementation Planner; Environmental Planner

Municipal Stormwater Permit Implementation Planner (Environmental Planner
3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Municipal Stormwater Permit Implementation Planner (Environmental Planner
3) within the Water Quality Program.

Location:

• Bellingham Field Office in Bellingham, 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 week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by May 28, 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.

As Washington's population grows, so does urban development. More people and more pavement mean more stormwater runoff and a greater risk of pollution entering our rivers, lakes, and groundwater. To protect these waters, Ecology issues permits under federal and state laws that help control pollution from runoff. As a Municipal Permit Implementation Planner, you will serve as an independent project manager responsible for guiding the development and implementation of municipal stormwater programs run by city and county governments and special purpose districts.

You will be assigned to permit tees in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Snohomish counties. If you have experience in urban planning, stormwater program development, or working collaboratively with local governments, we'd love to hear from you! Join a dedicated group of people who are committed to protecting Washington's waters for current and future generations.

• Provide stormwater planning technical assistance to local governments.
• Assist counties and municipalities in developing, planning, and coordinating stormwater programs that benefit water quality.
• Contribute as a member of a statewide team to continually adapt permit requirements in response to new information, population demands, and technological advancements.
• Respond to inquiries, environmental reports, and other requests for technical assistance from permit tees, other agencies and programs, and the public.
• Review, comment, and approve permit submittals.
• Conduct compliance assurance activities including inspections and audits of permittee programs, and initiate enforcement actions as needed.

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

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning and/or program development; landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law; public administration with an environmental emphasis; or closely related experience.
• Education involving a major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning and/or program development; landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law; public administration with an environmental emphasis; or other closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 8 years of experience.
• 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree).
• 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Master's degree or above.
• 1 year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2, at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience or familiarity with administering National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permits.
• Experience or familiarity with stormwater management (such as implementing stormwater guidance manuals).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and part of a team, communicate respectively, actively listen, and incorporate diverse perspectives to work towards and achieve a shared goal.

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.