Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
Our Mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment, for current and future generations.
Our Water Quality Program contributes to that mission by working to protect and restore Washington’s waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.
This Water Quality Section Manager leads our Program Development Services Section and reports to the Water Quality Program Manager. This position is located at our headquarters building in Lacey, WA.
We are seeking a self-motivated and innovative problem-solver, with strategic and operational experience, to oversee our water quality permitting program. Our new Program Development Services Section Manager will be a forward facing problem-solver who builds strong relationships with our partners and stakeholders to ensure water quality protection through our state waste discharge and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting programs.
You will be leading a team of engineers, environmental scientists, planners, geologists, administrative professionals, and more, all working to protect and restore Washington’s waters to support healthy watersheds and communities.
Duties
What will you be doing?
You will manage a team of 38 staff, including 3 Unit Supervisors, who are working to implement the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program for Washington State. You will ensure Washington State maintains timely, defensible, and implementable water quality permits so that water quality is protected while municipalities, businesses, and industry are able to grow and prosper.
To do this, you will:
- Provide strategic direction and set clear expectations and goals for the section.
- Administer the required and delegated functions of the Clean Water Act to assure Ecology is effectively meeting federal delegation responsibilities.
- Represent the agency at complex negotiations.
- Recruit, train, and mentor Unit Supervisors and other direct reports. Support teamwork and cooperation through open and honest communication.
- Serve as a member of the Water Quality Program Management Team by helping set and develop program strategies, sponsoring program teams and workgroups, and leading the program’s work on water quality permitting through supporting implementation..
We’re looking for a strategic problem solver and leader
- Lead with empathy, transparency, and humility.
- Build a cohesive team that has a strong sense of purpose and resilience.
- Empower staff to meaningfully participate in decisions that affect their work, while using good decision-making frameworks and making timely decisions on behalf of the program.
- Facilitate collaboration that emphasizes how each person’s professional opinion complements others in the group and contributes to the best outcomes.
- Build strong relationships across the program and agency, as well as with external partners.
- Acknowledge when something doesn’t go well and support staff in continually improving.
Why join the team?
At Ecology, you’ll be a part of a team that is invested in making a difference. We’re engineers, environmental scientists, planners, geologists, communication specialists, administrative professionals, and more, all working toward our common goals. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
Ecology’s water quality permitting program is widely regarded as a national leader in areas such as municipal and industrial stormwater, and reclaimed water. This position has the opportunity to influence state and national policies as we find the best ways to approach new and dynamic water quality protection and restoration challenges.
Please note: During Stay Home, Stay Healthy, staff are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need.
Ecology is maintaining less than maximum building occupancy, and requiring masks, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.
This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of February 10, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before February 9, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, engineering, planning, business administration, or closely related field.
AND
Five (5) years of significant project leadership experience in natural resources management, forestry, water quality policy, or environmental analysis, control, or planning.
NOTE: An advanced degree in a field listed above will substitute for two (2) years of experience.
Desired Qualifications:
- Two or more years of experience as a supervisor;
- Advanced knowledge of engineering best practice, environmental science, public administration, administrative rules, and environmental laws;
- Experience in water quality permitting, including National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and/or state permitting.
- Experience leading or managing a team, workgroup, or project that lead to a productive and supporting work environment;
- Knowledge and understanding of the language and concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect in the workplace.
- Experience implementing policies and procedures to support environmental justice.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Must possess a valid driver’s license
Why work for Ecology?
Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment.
A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.
Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth
Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information
Supplemental Information
Application Instructions:
- Complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.
- Please include as attachments:
- A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
- A resume outlining your professional experience.
- Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
- Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume,” may disqualify you from further consideration.
It is in the candidate’s best interest to submit all of the documents listed above. Applications without these documents may be declined.
Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.
If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”
Other Information:
If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Vince McGowan at Vincent.McGowan@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Vince to inquire about the status of your application.
The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.