Water Quality Specialist 3 - Pollution Response and Correction

About the Role

In this role, you'll play a key part in protecting Pierce County's streams, lakes, groundwater, and Puget Sound by investigating pollution incidents, responding to spills, and helping prevent contaminants from entering the stormwater system. You'll inspect public and private facilities, identify sources of pollution, collect and analyze environmental samples, and work with property owners, businesses, and partner agencies to resolve water quality concerns. Every day brings a different challenge, combining field investigations, technical analysis, problem-solving, and collaboration to protect our community's natural resources.

Success in this role comes from combining strong technical knowledge with excellent communication and investigative skills. You'll need to analyze potential pollution sources, interpret environmental data, conduct inspections, and apply stormwater regulations while working collaboratively with colleagues, regulatory agencies, businesses, and the public. Attention to detail, conflict resolution, GIS proficiency, and the ability to work independently in both field and office environments will help you effectively support pollution prevention and environmental compliance efforts.

About the Department

Planning and Public Works (PPW) stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team has more than 800 members that collaborate, innovate, and inspire in performing essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Lead a water quality unit or program or project; assign work to a specific work unit and ensure tasks are completed correctly and timely; may approve leave requests and work schedules; provide input on performance evaluations.
• Conduct field investigations, interview witnesses, research property information, review applicable codes, photograph sites, take water quality samples, and gather additional evidence as necessary to confirm or identify violations.
• Provide direction, assistance, and training to less experienced employees.
• Correspond with citizens, engineers, contractors, and other agencies regarding spill prevention, water quality protection, and stormwater management; respond to complex questions and information requests about best management practices and stormwater management regulations.
• Oversee stream flow discharge following USGS guidelines.
• Conduct monitoring of publicly-owned outfalls for stormwater characterization.
• Conduct effectiveness monitoring of specific best management practices.
• Conduct flow monitoring.
• Prepare quality assurance project plans (QAPPs) for monitoring programs.
• Conduct and direct on-site inspections of sophisticated or complex stormwater management facilities associated with industrial, commercial, and multi-family land use; determine or verify the proper operation and maintenance of stormwater management facilities and implementation of stormwater Best Management Practices.
• Meet with various entities to inform them of violations; explain the intent of code and provide options for resolution through written and verbal communication.
• Document inspection results, update storm system maps, support enforcement actions, and provide internal training to Pierce County personnel on IDDE procedures, source control practices, and field inspection methods.

Work Environment

This position is a 60/40 split between office and field work, respectively. Field inspections and investigations take place outdoors in urban areas, requiring safety awareness. Work occurs near roads, rivers, streams, lakes, stormwater areas, flooded sites, and sensitive locations, often in cold, wet, or rough terrain. Tasks involve walking, bending, reaching, pushing, pulling equipment, and lifting heavy stormwater components, like catch basin lids weighing over 40 pounds.

Requirements

• Four years of college or post-high school technical training.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible related experience.

Additional education or experience may substitute equally for the recruiting requirements. As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Professional Development

A career with Pierce County means joining an organization committed to your growth and success. Through robust online learning and a variety of training opportunities, Pierce County ensures continuous professional development. This dedication extends beyond individual advancement, reflecting a broader mission to foster welcoming communities, maintain safe infrastructure, and promote equitable access to opportunities.

Commitment to Inclusion

Pierce County is committed to fostering a welcoming workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service. Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected.