Why It’s 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 conduct inspections, provide technical assistance and direction, and investigate any discharges that impact the county-owned stormwater system. You will also collaborate with various departments and teams to support the implementation of Pierce County’s Phase I NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permit. Your efforts, along with those of your team, will contribute to reducing stormwater pollution that affects streams, lakes, groundwater, the Puget Sound, and the stormwater drainage systems of neighboring municipalities.

Why It’s a Great Department: PPW is a diverse and fast-moving department filled with motivated professionals working to ensure Pierce County is positioned to handle growth while building, operating, and maintaining reliable infrastructure to support livable communities. PPW is responsible for a broad and complex portfolio of services that provide unique opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and inspire. We are responsible for the County road, stormwater systems, 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 Works at www.piercecountywa.org/ppw

The Surface Water Management division enjoys working together to continuously improve our program by keeping up with new scientific technologies and solving problems to protect our surface waters. We are a supportive and collaborative group of professional scientists, planners, and engineers who strive to protect and maintain surface water quality for fish, wildlife, and the public.  

Learn more about Surface Water Management at About Surface Water Management | Pierce County, WA – Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

How to be Successful in the Role: You and your team’s success will come from a collaborative approach with leadership and communications skills that effectively facilitate planning, coordinating, monitoring, assessment, analysis, and documentation of stormwater compliance work with high-level data and process analysis. Your success in teamwork and handling of challenging and important responsibilities will further ensure your success.

Your Future in this Role:  Here you will ensure timely follow-up and guarantee that all documentation and practices comply with local, state, and federal regulations. This position involves both outdoor and indoor work. Pierce County offers professional development through the Leadership Certification Program, robust online learning, and various training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success.

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.
• 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.
• 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 found here.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.

• Four years of college or post-high school technical training and three or more years of progressively responsible related experience.
• Additional education or experience may substitute equally for the recruiting requirements.
• A valid Washington State driver’s license may be required when travel is required of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with GIS mapping, water sampling, and data analysis tools.
• Water quality, stormwater management, or environmental compliance, focusing on IDDE (Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination) or source control.
• Strong understanding of the Phase I MS4 Permit, as well as federal and state regulations, and Best Management Practices (BMP) implementation. 
• Familiarity with Pierce County-specific regulations and stormwater management systems. 

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting “APPLY” above or go to:   www.piercecountywa.org/jobs. 
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov 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 (253) 798-7480, 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 County’s 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.