Lead Financial Assistance Engineer; Environmental Engineer

The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Lead Financial Assistance Engineer (Environmental Engineer
5) within the Water Quality Program
.

• Southwest Region Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, must live within commutable distance.

• Eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of two days per month required in the office.
• Schedules subject to change based on position needs.

• Apply by July 7, 2026.
• Applications after that may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants needed.

This is your opportunity to join a community dedicated to responsible development and thoughtful management of Washington’s critical wastewater and reclaimed water infrastructure by serving as one of the state’s engineers overseeing these facilities. In this role, you will be involved in planning, design, and construction, and you will also permit the operation of these facilities, from permit issuance and implementation to field oversight.

Additionally, you will support Ecology’s grant and loan program and serve as a mentor for staff-level engineers.

You will be the primary point of contact for the Water Quality Program and the face of the agency, building trust and confidence with the regulated community through honest, reliable, and consistent interactions. You’ll routinely collaborate with facility owners and operators on a range of engineering concerns and compliance questions and will be our go‑to representative for ensuring all parties understand the agency’s expectations for wastewater management and reuse in Washington state.

• Support the planning, design, and construction of wastewater and reclaimed water systems in compliance with state requirements and good engineering practices.
• Provide regulatory oversight of operations at wastewater treatment and reuse facilities using diverse treatment processes and creative approaches to managing treated effluent or reclaimed water.
• Manage financial assistance programs for clean water infrastructure projects and provide expertise to internal staff, municipalities, and consultants on funding program elements.
• Serve as a role model for staff-level engineers in the unit, offering mentorship, training, and direction in the unit’s planning, engineering and design review work, as well as permit development, issuance, and implementation.
• Draft permit conditions, limits, and other requirements as part of the issuance process, and provide ongoing oversight of individual permits to ensure compliance with water quality standards.
• Conduct facility inspections and provide technical assistance on regulatory issues and questions from communities and industries within the region.
• Assist in improving unit business processes, collaborating with other Ecology staff to provide outstanding service to our regulated community, the public, and Tribes.
• Help members of the public understand permits and other regulatory requirements related to wastewater and reclaimed water facilities, as well as Ecology’s role as an oversight agency.

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or an equivalent state registration.
• Five (5) years of experience in environmental engineering.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in Washington in good standing.

• Experience with funding programs related to public works infrastructure planning and design.
• Contract management experience.
• Experience communicating complex and technical scientific information to a variety of audiences.

Individuals who are licensed as professional engineers in another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign country and wish to apply for this position must qualify for licensure in Washington State by comity. Applicants are responsible for reviewing and ensuring they meet Washington’s comity requirements before submitting application materials. Licensing requirements can be found on the Washington…