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

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. Water Quality Activities Grants and Loans Specialist On behalf of Ecology, you will manage grants and loans funding stormwater and nonpoint projects that improve water quality in the streams and lakes in the Northwest Region. You will be part of dynamic, project‑specific teams that collaborate with local municipalities, Tribes, conservation districts, and nonprofit organizations during all phases of the grant/loan. You will work independently and with your teams to: Provide technical environmental support and administrative guidance to grant/loan recipients in the planning, design, construction, and/or implementation phases of funded projects. Apply your knowledge about approaches that improve water quality. Learn first‑hand 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 and procedures. Evaluate funding proposals and develop grant/loan agreements for the funded projects. Coordinate internally with other Water Quality Program staff to ensure successful implementation of the funded projects. Apply current science of stormwater and nonpoint specialty‑area topics, as applicable to grants and proposals. Communicate both verbally and in writing with individuals, agencies, local governments, Tribes, and the public. Actively participate in and contribute to internal workgroup efforts to improve and streamline program processes, develop program guidance, fill knowledge gaps, and train new staff. Present grant/loan guideline information, both virtually and at local workshops and other outreach opportunities. Municipal Wastewater Grant and Loan Project Specialist You will collaborate with public works professionals, engineers and financial planners to develop and oversee grant and loan projects for wastewater facility improvements that will benefit water quality in Washington state. You will help us to provide financial assistance for: Wastewater system planning. Designing new or expanded wastewater collection and treatment facilities. Constructing new or expanded wastewater facilities. What you will do: Reviewing and evaluating municipal wastewater facility grant and loan applications. Assisting grant and loan applicants and recipients prepare environmental, cultural resource, and environmental justice review documents. Negotiating and managing clear project scope of work, budgets, and timelines for project deliverables. Tracking compliance with grant and loan agreement requirements. Tracking project performance and ensuring that recipients achieve expected outcomes by negotiated completion dates. Reviewing and certifying grant and loan payment requests and Progress Reports to verify work complies with the agreement and applicable statutes, rules, policies and procedures. Providing technical assistance to potential applicants and recipients helping them understand our funding program, policies, procedures, and tools. Required Qualifications Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below: 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 to ensure projects are completed successfully and meet program requirements. Regulatory Review – Experience applying regulatory requirements to ensure projects comply with state and federal laws. Infrastructure and Systems Understanding – Ability to assess public infrastructure projects to determine their needs, feasibility, and expected benefits. Communication and Partner Support – Ability to clearly convey information and work with partners to resolve issues and support informed decisions. Program Coordination – Ability to coordinate work across programs, units, and partners to ensure consistent decisions and smooth project delivery. Data, Documentation, and Analysis – Ability to review and track project information to support accurate oversight and decisions. 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 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. Our Commitment to DEIR 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. 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. 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 is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees 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 State of Washington