Principal Natural Resources Analyst

About the Role

Tacoma Water is seeking an experienced professional to serve as a subject matter expert in environmental protection, water quality, and forest road infrastructure within the Green River Watershed. In this role, you'll lead programs and capital projects that safeguard Tacoma's drinking water supply while collaborating with government agencies, utilities, tribal partners, contractors, and private landowners to ensure responsible stewardship of one of the region's most valuable natural resources.

The ideal candidate is an environmental or forest professional who combines technical expertise with strong project management and relationship-building skills. They are comfortable working in remote field environments as well as collaborating with diverse stakeholders to solve complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. They bring experience managing capital projects, administering operational programs, interpreting environmental regulations, and balancing resource protection with operational needs. A proactive communicator and trusted technical advisor, they use sound judgment, data, and collaboration to protect water quality while supporting the long-term resilience of Tacoma Water's watershed assets.

This is an opportunity to combine environmental expertise, engineering knowledge, project management, and stakeholder engagement to make a lasting impact on the protection of Tacoma's watershed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical expert on environmental protection, water quality, forest practices, and watershed operations for projects within the Green River Watershed.
• Plan, design, and manage capital improvement projects including culvert replacements, slope stabilization, road improvements, paving, and rock resource development.
• Lead watershed protection programs such as spill response, culvert inventory and replacement, bridge inspections, road usage accounting, and related operational initiatives.
• Partner with federal, state, tribal, local, and private stakeholders to ensure projects and activities comply with environmental regulations, forest practices, and Tacoma Water requirements.
• Develop and implement water quality protection measures, sampling plans, access permits, equipment tracking processes, invasive species inspections, and visitor education programs.
• Provide technical guidance during emergency response and natural disaster events involving watershed infrastructure, including flood, wildfire, earthquake, and road failure response.
• Research, analyze, and interpret operational and environmental data to identify trends, recommend improvements, and support long-term watershed planning.
• Develop scopes of work, procurement documents, and contracts for capital projects, emergency response, and ongoing operational services while overseeing contractor performance.
• Support watershed operations through special projects, public outreach, educational events, and other assignments that advance Tacoma Water's mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biology, environmental science, forestry, resource management, archeology or other scientific field related to assignment.
• 5 years of professional level experience in environmental programs including 1 year prior at senior, lead and/or supervisory level.
• Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.
• First Aid and CPR certification within the first 6 months of employment.
• Washington State Driver's License.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with forest road engineering.
• Experience with environmental regulations and/or water quality protection.

Pay

Hourly Rate: $54.60 - $76.88

Annual Salary: $113,568.00 - $159,910.40

Benefits

For detailed information on employee benefits, visit City of Tacoma Employee Benefits.