For more information, please follow this link: https://ecojobs.com/job/washington-state-department-of-ecology-lacey-wa-98503-water-quality-nonpoint-source-pollution-grant-coordinator/

Salary– DOE

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Water Quality Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Water Quality Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant Coordinator (Environmental Planner 3) position.

This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA and is eligible for a telework/in-office hybrid schedule. You will have the opportunity to telework the majority of your week, and should live within a commutable distance to our Lacey office for in-person meetings and activities.

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is not currently required to work in the office on a regular basis. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.”

In this position you will collaborate with Ecology staff, the EPA, local governments, not-for-profits and federally recognized tribal governments to reduce nonpoint source pollution statewide, if this sounds[WK(1]fulfilling, this may be the job for you. You will serve as an independent project manager responsible for coordination and oversight of the federal Clean Water Act-Section 319 Nonpoint Pollution grant program and financial management of state and federal grants awarded to eligible recipients statewide

The mission of the Water Quality Program is 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.

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities.
  • A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, the next screening date will be May 20, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before May 19, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Duties

What makes this role unique? 

The Water Quality Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant Coordinator provides many opportunities to collaborate with Ecology staff, the EPA and local partners to reduce nonpoint source pollution statewide and strengthen mutual trust based on shared goals such as improving water quality throughout the state.

This position is an active part of our financial assistance grant and loan team. The grant and loan team is a productive and supportive workgroup that assists each other in the challenges of overseeing financial assistance agreements.

What you will do: 

As a project manager, you will provide planning, coordination and management of the Program’s nonpoint financial assistance provided through water quality grant programs. You will help oversee approximately $2 million in federal 319 funds and $7 million in state Centennial matching funds annually for the federal Section 319 pass-through incremental funding program. To do this, you will:

  • Manage and oversee federal reporting requirements by identifying, tracking, and managing Section 319 state matching funds provided through Centennial nonpoint source grants, to ensure the Program can adequately meet the federal matching requirement that secures the federal 319 funding.
  • Receive and maintain Section 319 and Centennial matching project load reduction reporting requirements, and ensure the data is maintained and reported as part of the federal GRTS and Load Reduction reporting requirements.
  • Develop, negotiate, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, and terms of agreements for Section 319 grants and Centennial matching grants to ensure water quality improvement projects are managed in accordance with federal and state rules and regulations, provide water quality improvement, timely and appropriate project deliverables, and measurable environmental outcomes.
  • Review, analyze, develop, and recommend policies and guidelines governing non-point source best management practices (BMP) eligibility and implementation for Section 319 and Centennial matching water quality improvement projects. As part of the BMP review and assessment process, independently engage program staff, accept input from external local and state governmental agencies, nonprofits, and tribal governments, evaluate concerns, and recommend actions to program management.
  • Provide specific Section 319 programmatic knowledge and planning review to gain consensus among regional project managers and supervisors in support of policy, procedure and guidance for nonpoint grant funding.
  • Lead and facilitate the internal Nonpoint Funding Workgroup, promoting program consistency, information sharing, and process improvements.
  • Serve as lead project financial manager and coordinator on Section 319 water quality improvement projects.
  • Review grant applications from local governments and non-profit organizations to ensure eligibility and compliance with Section 319 funding requirements and consistency with the state nonpoint plan.
  • Evaluate federal grant administrative and programmatic conditions to ensure grant agreements comply with federal requirements.
  • Independently manage and coordinate the Nonpoint Activity Financial Assistance Workgroup, supporting the overall goal of facilitating funding program consistency and communication between the regional offices and headquarters.
  • Manage and oversee the Direct Implementation Fund (DIF) program, including guidelines development and project development, funding awards and project management in coordination with the Watershed Management Section staff and regional office staff.

Grant management: You will be a lead project financial manager for nonpoint water quality improvement projects. You will oversee state and federal grant and loan agreements, including agreement development, financial management, administration and coordination with an emphasis on federal Section 319 funded grants and Centennial matching projects. To do this, you will:

  • Act as lead section planner on land acquisition projects, including participation in the Agency Acquisition Workgroup. Develop agreement language and special contract conditions needed to address land acquisition.
  • Provide regional project specialists with technical support for the interpretation of federal and state statutes, Water Quality Program policies and procedures and funding program guidelines as they relate to the financial management of grant and loan projects.
  • Provide quality assurance review of the negotiated project scope of work, budget, and special conditions to ensure grant and loan integrity, eligibility of costs, and statewide consistency in accordance with funding program guidelines, Water Quality Program policies and procedures, and state and federal laws.
  • Provide financial management assistance to grant and loan recipients on requirements contained in Administrative Requirements for Ecology Grants and Loans, Ecology Publication No. 91-18. Provides administrative assistance to recipients on grant and loan record keeping and other administrative requirements.
  • Coordinate project closeout information with regional project managers and prepare recipient notification letters and final performance evaluations.
  • Conduct project site visits as needed to verify project costs and progress.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

Option 1:

  • A Bachelor’s degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field
  • Four (4) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

Option 2:

  • A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field
  • Two (2) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Must have a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

  • Experience coordinating water quality or other environmental or natural resource protection programs, including policy development.
  • Experience with nonpoint pollution and watershed planning and implementation projects using state and federal grants. Experience with project management, project financial management, and federal reporting requirements.
  • Education or experience with nonpoint pollution problems and impacts to water quality and direct familiarity with implementation of best management practices for water quality improvement and protection.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.