Water Quality Specialist 2

Why It’s a Great Opportunity

In this public‑facing role with the Pierce County Surface Water Management (SWM) team, you will focus on identifying and responding to activities or incidents that could lead to the discharge of pollutants into stormwater systems and the environment. You will collaborate with other departments and teams to support the implementation of Pierce County’s Phase I NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permits. Your efforts will help reduce stormwater pollution that reaches streams, lakes, groundwater, the Puget Sound, and neighboring municipalities’ drainage systems.

Why It’s a Great Department

Planning and Public Works (PPW) stewards a healthy, vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team of more than 800 members provides essential services such as road and levee maintenance, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement. The Surface Water Management division continuously improves its program by adopting new scientific technologies and solving problems to protect surface waters. The group is a supportive, collaborative team of professional scientists, planners, and engineers dedicated to protecting water quality for fish, wildlife, and the public.

How to Be Successful in This Role

Success comes from combining strong technical, investigative, and communication skills with the ability to perform field work in varied conditions. You will regularly interpret environmental data, conduct inspections, maintain field documentation, update GIS maps, and calibrate and maintain field equipment. Collaboration with colleagues, regulatory agencies, businesses, and the public, as well as conflict resolution, independent work, and application of stormwater regulations, are essential. Flexibility, attention to detail, problem‑solving, and a willingness to train others on IDDE procedures, source‑control practices, and field inspection techniques will also contribute to success.

Your Future in This Role

The position offers professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities, as well as multiple career‑growth and promotional pathways within Pierce County, allowing you to build a lasting career while directly impacting the community.

Core Daily Responsibilities

• Conduct and assist with complex on‑site inspections of stormwater management facilities associated with industrial, commercial, and multi‑family land use; verify proper operation, maintenance, and implementation of Best Management Practices.
• Refer and direct citizens, engineers, contractors, and other agencies on spill prevention, water‑quality protection, and stormwater management; respond to routine questions and information requests.
• Perform calibration and maintenance procedures on field sampling and monitoring equipment.
• Measure water levels from surface and groundwater monitoring wells.
• Collect field measurements such as water temperature, specific conductance, pH, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen from both surface and groundwater sources.
• Execute data quality assurance and control, including chain‑of‑custody processing.
• Conduct routine water‑quality sampling, prepare labels, complete chain‑of‑custody reports, and perform sampling and field investigations for SWM staff, other County departments, governmental agencies, and the public.

Minimum Qualifications

• One or more years of progressively responsible related experience.
• Two years of college or post‑high‑school technical training.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Resume and cover letter are required.
• Ability to authorize and complete a background check (results reviewed case‑by‑case).

Application Information

Submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application via the “APPLY” button or at www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs. For questions, email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and include the job number and title. Accommodations for the application or interview process can be requested by contacting Human Resources at (253) 798‑7480 at least two days in advance. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship. Pierce County may use AI tools for application preparation but requires all submitted materials to reflect the applicant’s own experience, skills, and writing style. Misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.