Senior Grant Project Manager and TMDL Lead (Environmental Specialist 4)

Senior Grant Project Manager And Tmdl Lead (Environmental Specialist 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Grant Project Manager and TMDL Lead (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Water Quality Program.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by June 16, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

Nonpoint sources are one of the largest contributors of pollution in Washington. Nonpoint pollution can contain toxic chemicals, excess nutrients, and bacteria. As the Senior Nonpoint Grant Project Manager and TMDL Lead, you will help reduce this pollution by providing financial assistance for grant and loan recipients in Southwest Washington. You will also help develop water quality restoration plans for selected watersheds.

What you will do:

• Work with a team of internal and external partners, including engineers and financial managers, to evaluate, plan, install, and maintain critical nonpoint water quality restoration projects.
• Develop and negotiate grant and loan terms of agreement.
• Track project performance against contract obligations, which includes visiting sites at critical stages to make sure they are following the grant agreements.
• Review and rate environmental nonpoint grant applications for accuracy and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Assist local governments understand how to use Ecology funds to nonpoint source pollution.
• Develop and implement Water Quality Improvement Plans (also known and Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs) within the Southwest Region.
• Help partners implement practices to meet water quality standards.
• Build relationships with landowners and help them comply with water quality laws, understand and share best management practices, and communicate the science behind these practices.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the duties of the position, that includes three or more of the following:
• Grant and Financial Program Administration - Ability to manage and oversee financial assistance programs to ensure funds are awarded, used, monitored, and closed out in accordance with program requirements and to support successful project outcomes.
• Project and Portfolio Management - Ability to plan, track, and evaluate multiple projects simultaneously to keep work on schedule, maintain quality standards, and achieve intended environmental and program goals.
• Technical and Regulatory Analysis - Ability to interpret technical data and regulatory requirements, and to lead the development of technical plans and recommendations that support effective program decisions and improved outcomes.
• Intergovernmental and Community Collaboration - Experience collaborating with Tribes, local governments, state and federal agencies, community organizations, and members of the public to build alignment, solve problems, and advance shared project and program objectives.
• Communication and Public Service - Ability to communicate complex technical and financial information in clear, understandable terms, respond to inquiries, and share program requirements and results to support public understanding and transparency.
• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 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 managing grants
• Experience working with TMDLs and water quality improvement projects.
• Technical writing experience.
• Experience facilitating meetings.
• Experience coordinating agencies and working with external advisory groups.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.