Municipal Stormwater Permit Planner (Environmental Planner 3)

About the role

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen. The Department of Ecology is hiring a Municipal Stormwater Permit Planner (Environmental Planner 3) 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. A minimum of one day per week is required in the office. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline

Apply by October 26, 2026. Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide stormwater planning technical assistance to local governments.
• Assist counties and municipalities in developing, planning, and coordinating stormwater programs that benefit water quality.
• Contribute as a member of a statewide team to continually adapt permit requirements in response to new information, population demands, and technological advancements.
• Respond to inquiries, environmental reports, and other requests for technical assistance from permittees, other agencies and programs, and the public.
• Review, comment, and approve permit submittals.
• Conduct compliance assurance activities including inspections and audits of permittee programs, and initiate enforcement actions as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Eight (8) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Program Planning – Ability to plan and coordinate projects and initiatives to achieve program goals and improve environmental outcomes.
• Policy Development – Ability to develop clear and practical policies, procedures, and standards to support consistent and effective permit and program implementation.
• Technical Evaluation – Ability to evaluate technical documents, program materials, and local codes to determine whether they meet required standards and support program objectives.
• Compliance & Enforcement Support – Ability to assess compliance through audits, inspections, and document reviews to identify issues and support appropriate corrective or enforcement actions.
• Communication & Outreach – Ability to communicate technical and program information clearly and provide outreach and education to support understanding and engagement among partners and the public.
• Collaboration & Relationship Building – Ability to work collaboratively and maintain effective relationships with agencies, local governments, organizations, and the public to support coordinated and successful program delivery.
• Independent Judgment – Ability to use professional judgment to make sound decisions and manage complex tasks with minimal supervision to ensure effective program outcomes.

Education involving a major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, civil engineering, environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

Experience and Education Combinations

• 8 years of experience.
• 7 years of experience AND 30–59 semester or 45–89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND 60–89 semester or 90–134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 5 years of experience AND 90–119 semester or 135–179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or above.

Special Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license or provide alternate reliable transportation for travel within the state of Washington.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with complex Clean Water Act-related statutes, regulations, and permits.
• Experience applying negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).

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.

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.

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 Incentive
• Combined Fund Drive
• SmartHealth

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of