Water Quality Specialist 3

Why its a great opportunity:In this position with the Pierce County Surface Water Management (SWM) team your primary focus will be identifying and addressing activities or incidents that could result in pollutants entering stormwater systems and the environment. You will also lead programs that ensure compliance with the Phase I Municipal Stormwater Permit requirements. Your efforts in collaboration with other divisions of Surface Water Management such as water quality monitoring and inspection teams will contribute to reducing stormwater pollution that affects streams lakes groundwater the Puget Sound and the stormwater drainage systems of neighboring municipalities.

Why its a great department:PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people infrastructure systems and policies. PPWs team has more than 800 members that collaborate innovate and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems sewer systems airports ferries building permits environmental review sustainability community planning and code enforcement - just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Workshere.

How to be successful in the role:You and your teams success will come from the leadership collaboration and communications skills you bring for NPDES permitting planning coordinating monitoring assessment and analysis of stormwater compliance work. Your knowledge of source control for existing developments illicit discharges (IDDE) source control stormwater compliance stormwater pollution prevention plan development and County facilities will further ensure your success. Training on measuring water quality parameters stream gage stations flow measurements local state and federal regulations and time-of-travel studies will keep your team up to date on new processes as they install calibrate maintain and troubleshoot associated equipment. Please note that this position works in both the field and in the office.

Your future in this role:Please note that this position works in both the field and in the office. You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core daily responsibilities:

• Lead of a water quality unit or program or project; assign work to a specific work unit and ensure tasks are completed correctly and timely; may approve leave requests and work schedules; provide input on performance evaluations.
• Conduct field investigations interview witnesses research property information review applicable codes photograph site take water quality samples and gather additional evidence as necessary to confirm or identify violations.
• Provide direction assistance and training to less experienced employees.
• Correspond with citizens engineers contractors and other agencies in matters of spill prevention water quality protection and stormwater management; respond to complex questions and information requests regarding best management practices and stormwater management regulations.
• Oversee stream flow discharge following the USGS guidelines.
• Conduct monitoring of publicly-owned outfalls for stormwater characterization.
• Conduct effectiveness monitoring of specific best management practices.
• Conduct flow monitoring.
• Prepare quality assurance project plans (QAPPs) for monitoring programs.
• Conduct and direct on-site inspections of sophisticated or complex stormwater management facilities associated with industrial commercial and multi-family land use; determine or verify the proper operation and maintenance of stormwater management facilities and implementation of stormwater Best Management Practices.
• Meet with various entities and inform of violations; explain the intent of code and provide options on resolution through written and verbal communication.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be foundhere.

• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• Additional education or experience may substitute equally for the recruiting requirements.
• Four years of college or post-high school technical training AND
• Three or more years of progressively responsible related experience.

As a condition of employment the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting APPLY above or go to: you have a question about this opportunity please email the Recruitment Team at and specify the Job Number and Title.
• If you do not have internet access you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at at least two days prior to the need.

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the Countys needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include assessments phone screen and interviews.

At Pierce County diversity equity and inclusion means commitment not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit develop and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds cultures lifestyles and perspectives committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local direct and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.