Why It’s a Great Opportunity: 
Are you interested in helping to develop and implement plans and programs that lead to cleaner creeks, rivers and lakes in Pierce County? Would you like to help identify projects that preserve and enhance natural spaces for our community? Pierce County Surface Water Management is hiring a Water Quality Planner 2 to help develop and implement water quality and stormwater management plans, and work with community members to understand water quality and habitat issues in streams, lakes, and marine areas in Pierce County. This is a unique opportunity to make a big impact to your community and the environment.

As a Planner 2 you will work and support our Planner 3s with a number of identified water quality projects where you will be part of a technical review team, prepare written documents, summarize data from monitoring programs, track state processes, work on writing grants and reporting on grants.  You will go out in the field looking at water quality problems in a rapidly changing field where science and policy intersect. Your work will support salmon recovery, shellfish recovery, and watershed councils throughout Pierce County.

Why It’s a Great Department: 
Surface Water Management is an award-winning division recognized nationally for the work it does in floodplain management, habitat restoration, flood protection, and water quality. We are an independent, high performing group dedicated to the work we do emphasizing teamwork, continual learning and customer service. We look for creative approaches to the work we do that deliver accountable results to the residents of Pierce County.

How to be Successful in the Role: 
The most important core competencies for this role include collaboration, organizational awareness and teamwork. We are looking for someone with strong attention to detail, communication skills and a focus on results. We want someone who is curious, loves research, and takes initiative. Someone who is accountable, customer focused and great at building relationships.

Your Future in this Role: 
The Floodplain and Watershed Services group is responsible for developing the plans and programs that ensures that water moving from Mt. Rainier to the Puget Sound is the best quality it can be. We use a collaborative approach to develop plans and programs that improve water quality, enhance and restore salmon and shellfish, and work with our partners to restore our floodplains. Your technical skills will get you through the door, but this position is for candidates who are passionate about the work they do and improving the community. It’s a dynamic, changing environment that impacts the community in which you live.

In terms of growth opportunities, the next position in this series is a senior planner. Through your time as a Planner 2 you will develop project management and planning skills under the mentorship of the senior planners. You will learn about water quality and stormwater regulations, shellfish protection districts as well as develop your community building and public education skills.

Some of the work you might support include: 

• Clarks Creek TMDL Implementation. The WQ Planner 2 provides field and office support on a project team by assisting with NPDES and Administrative Order reporting requirements, grant writing, coordination with CIP staff, coordination of stakeholder meetings, and assistance with monitoring/GIS field work.
• Clover Creek TMDL Alternative Plan Development. The WQP2 provides field and office support on a project team by doing research and writing draft sections of the plan, coordinating with Ecology and local stakeholders, and assisting with monitoring/GIS field work.
• South Sound Shellfish Coordination. The WQ Planner 2 serves on a team by coordinating with Clean Water Partners on shellfish protection district issues, assisting with writing grants and reports, and tracking monitoring data in shellfish growing areas.
• Streamflow Restoration Planning. The WQ Planner 2 supports Long Range Planning by attending the Ecology-led planning process, reviewing work products from the planning unit, and coordinating with other planning unit members, including Tribal partners.
• Watershed Council Staff Support. The WQ Planner 2 works with a team of planners to organize meetings of the three watershed councils, including developing agendas and meeting notes. They also coordinate the small grants program and work with fiscal staff to disburse the grant funds.
• Lake Management. The WQ Planner 2 would coordinate with lakeshore stakeholders, and provide support to the project team developing and updating lake management plans and implementing water quality projects.
• Spanaway Watershed Stormwater Management Action Plan. The development of this plan is a NPDES permit requirement. The WQ Planner 2 would serve on a team developing this plan by coordinating with SWM, Planning, and M&O staff, providing information to the consultant working on the project, and writing draft sections of the plan.
• SWM Blog. The WQ Planner 2 would provide support to Communications staff by researching and providing content for blog posts.

A classification job description of the Planner 2 with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s degree in planning, geography, environmental science, public or business administration or related field; AND

• Two years of related water quality or stormwater planning work OR any equivalent combination of education and experience. Positions in specific program areas may require program-related experience, education, and/or training.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Two or more years of experience in local, county, or state water quality or stormwater planning is desired.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
This position is currently working remotely and in the field due to COVID.  Once things open up this will remain the case with the addition of some office time.

Sometimes the field work is in remote locations and during inclement weather conditions. Work location will be at or near aquatic environments, often adjacent to roadways.
Candidate must be capable of walking over rough terrain for short distances.  The ability to carry up to 50 lbs. over uneven terrain, and frequent bending, stooping, and climbing in and out of stream and water areas required.

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.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting “APPLY” above or go to:   www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.
• Submit a resume and a cover letter outlining how your experience matches the position.
• 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 (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.

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 great place to live, work, and raise a family?