Water Quality Activities and Municipal Wastewater Grants and Loans Specialists (ES4)(Two Positions)

Description The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026. Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen The Department of Ecology is hiring two positions: Water Quality Activities Grants and Loans Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) and Municipal Wastewater Grant and Loan Project Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Water Quality Program. Location Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA. The salary listed includes 5% premium pay due to the position location in King County. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. Schedule These positions are eligible for telework and flexible schedule options. A minimum of three days per week is required in the office for the first six months. In office time is negotiable after six months. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Application Timeline Apply by July 12, 2026. Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed. Duties Water Quality Activities Grants and Loans Specialist: On behalf of Ecology, manage grants and loans funding stormwater and nonpoint projects. Provide technical environmental support and administrative guidance to grant/loan recipients in planning, design, construction, and/or implementation phases. Apply knowledge about approaches that improve water quality. Learn from grant applicants and recipients about implementing water quality projects. What you will do: Manage grants and loans in accordance with agreement terms, state and federal statutes, rules, and Program & Ecology policies. Evaluate funding proposals and develop grant/loan agreements. Coordinate internally with other Water Quality Program staff. Apply current science of stormwater and nonpoint specialty-area topics. Communicate verbally and in writing with individuals, agencies, local governments, Tribes, and the public. Participate in internal workgroup efforts to improve and streamline program processes, develop guidance, fill knowledge gaps, and train new staff. Present grant/loan guideline information virtually and at local workshops and outreach opportunities. Municipal Wastewater Grant and Loan Project Specialist: Collaborate with public works professionals, engineers and financial planners to develop and oversee grant and loan projects for wastewater facility improvements. Help provide financial assistance for wastewater system planning, designing new or expanded wastewater collection and treatment facilities, and constructing new or expanded wastewater facilities. What you will do: Review and evaluate municipal wastewater facility grant and loan applications. Assist applicants and recipients prepare environmental, cultural resource, and environmental justice review documents. Negotiate and manage clear project scope of work, budgets, and timelines. Track compliance with grant and loan agreement requirements. Track project performance and ensure recipients achieve expected outcomes by negotiated completion dates. Review and certify grant and loan payment requests and progress reports. Provide technical assistance to potential applicants and recipients. Qualifications Required Qualifications: Experience: performing environmental-based work, or work related to the essential functions and key activities of the position, that includes two or more of the following: Grant and Loan Project Management: experience managing funding agreements. Regulatory Review: experience applying regulatory requirements. Infrastructure and Systems Understanding: ability to assess public infrastructure projects. Communication and Partner Support: ability to convey information and work with partners. Program Coordination: ability to coordinate work across programs, units, and partners. Data, Documentation, and Analysis: ability to review and track project information. Education: major in environmental, physical, or natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or related academic discipline. Experience & Academic Credit Equivalents: 9 years of experience. 8 years of experience AND 30–59 semester or 45–89 quarter college credits. 7 years of experience AND 60–89 semester or 90–134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree). 6 years of experience AND 90–119 semester or 135–179 quarter college credits. 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree. 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree. 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D. Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Desired Qualifications: Experience reviewing and understanding complex technical documents. Experience working with complex water quality-related statutes, regulations, and permits. Experience applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Experience implementing stormwater infrastructure and/or nonpoint restoration projects. Experience in planning, contract management, and/or grant and loan management for public works improvement projects. Benefits 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. Combined Fund Drive. SmartHealth. Equal Opportunity Employer 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. Collective Bargaining This position is covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative. Note This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days. #J-18808-Ljbffr Washington Department of Natural Resources