Senior Stormwater Project Specialist; Environmental Specialist

Job Overview

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Stormwater Project Specialist (Environmental Specialist
4) within the Water Quality Program. The salary includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase effective July 1, 2026.

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change

• Apply by June 28, 2026
• Applications submitted after that date may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed

Do you want to help solve real‑world water quality challenges through green infrastructure? Do you have experience with planning, designing, constructing, or maintaining public infrastructure projects? Are you interested in partnering with local governments and Tribes to protect important cultural resources?

Join the Ecology Stormwater Action Team (SWAT). SWAT partners with communities statewide to fund and implement stormwater quality, green infrastructure, and low‑impact development projects. With more than 250 active projects across Washington, the team helps local governments navigate funding, project design, construction, and long‑term performance to ensure meaningful water quality outcomes.

As a Senior Stormwater Project Specialist, you will build strong working relationships with local stormwater and capital project managers, helping them develop high‑quality proposals and avoid common project pitfalls. You will participate in evaluating new project applications, negotiate funding agreements, and provide technical assistance throughout the life of each project—ensuring compliance with state and federal funding requirements.

You will also play an important part in protecting cultural resources. You will represent SWAT on the Ecology Cultural Resources Environmental Workgroup and coordinate Cultural Resource Reviews in partnership with Tribes and the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to ensure state‑funded stormwater projects are sited and constructed responsibly.

• Coordinate with local government project managers to monitor project progress on Ecology‑funded stormwater quality projects, including review of quarterly reports, payment requests, and project deliverables, and performing site visits
• Solicit and coordinate input from internal project management teams to provide oversight for funded projects, ensuring compliance with funding agreement terms, funding program guidelines, agency policy, and state and federal funding program requirements
• Negotiate and write new funding agreements, incorporating input from project evaluators, Ecology engineers, financial management staff, and other subject matter experts during the negotiation process and throughout the life of the project
• Evaluate new project applications for feasibility and water quality benefit
• Coordinate with representatives of Ecology’s headquarters and regions, tribal and local governments, resource and regulatory agency staff, Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation staff, clients, and partners to ensure compliance with federal and state statutes, rules, and policies
• Actively participate in and contribute to the internal Stormwater Action Team (SWAT) efforts to improve and streamline program processes, develop program guidance, fill knowledge gaps, and train new staff

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

• Nine (9) years of experience performing environmental‑based work or work related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:
• Financial Management – Ability to manage project funds and financial information to ensure expenditures are accurate, allowable, and compliant with agreements and regulations
• Project Oversight – Ability to monitor and guide projects to ensure they are implemented effectively, meet…