Watershed Unit Supervisor; WMS

Role Overview

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen. The Department of Ecology is hiring a Watershed Unit Supervisor (WMS Band
1) within the Water Quality Program.

• Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

• Eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• Minimum two days per week required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and subject to change.

• Apply by April 16, 2026.
• Position remains open until filled; agency reserves right to hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date may not be considered.

Lead a team of 11 dedicated staff to restore streams and protect aquatic habitats. Manage a team responsible for identifying and controlling nonpoint source water pollution, emphasizing riparian restoration. Implement water quality clean‑up plans, develop new plans to achieve standards, collaborate with landowners and partners, and assist in choosing regulatory tools.

Work with your team to protect and restore water quality in streams, rivers, and lakes within the 13 Eastern Region counties. Guide staff in water cleanup plan development, implementation, forest practices, non‑point pollution assessment, technical assistance, enforcement, grants, and loans. Participate at the Water Quality Program level in policy guidance.

• Plan, lead, organize, and control the work performed by the Watershed Unit; ensure optimal resource use, facilitate project teams, monitor status, and ensure timeliness.
• Recruit and hire unit staff following state diversity goals and collective bargaining agreements.
• Ensure timely completion of reports, agreements, plans, publications, recommendations, cleanup projects, and other required outputs.
• Review documents for consistency with state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
• Prepare unit goals and objectives; coordinate annual planning and report unit accomplishments.
• Support effective communications throughout the agency and maintain communication channels with other sections.
• Evaluate staffing needs, arrange training, evaluate performance, and recommend corrective actions.
• Manage unit budget, monitor expenditures, approve leave, timesheets, training requests, travel expenses, vouchers, and purchasing requests.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses, visit our Recruitment website.

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below.

• Experience in environmental, physical, or natural science, engineering, natural resource planning, environmental law, or a closely related field.
• Education involving a major study in the related disciplines.

• 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 credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90–119 semester or 135–179 quarter credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or above.

Ecology does not use the E‑Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

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 authentic identities, advancing professional goals, and collaborating to protect the environment.

• Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; unique perspectives enrich us.
• Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each needs different things to thrive.
• Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space for meaningful participation.
• Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging inherent worth.

We believe DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.