Water Quality Specialist 3 Temporary Hire

About the role

In this temporary hire position with the Water Quality team, you will gain experience in research and project management involving two vital projects to support our customers and community.

• Read and interpret the Pierce County Stormwater Manual to create educational and guidance materials for developers and residents of the County. Creating user guides and standardized forms will allow residents and contractors to better understand what is required in the permitting process and allow quicker processing of those permits.
• Reach out to various municipalities, stakeholders, and staff to research incentives for the Pierce County Stormwater Maintenance Self Inspection Program. The work you do here will support more efficient permitting processes and ongoing stormwater management and maintenance programs.

About the department

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.

How to be successful in the role

• Be a self-starter with fundamental knowledge and interest in environmental science and water quality.
• Possess strong research, outreach, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Engage with diverse stakeholders, municipalities, and county staff to effectively communicate and facilitate discussions.
• Demonstrate strong technical writing skills, including the ability to draft clear documentation and translate complex information into plain language.
• Be goal-oriented, improvement-focused, and have a growth mindset.

Your future in this role

You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position offers multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Responsibilities

• Lead a water quality unit, program, or project.
• Correspond with citizens, engineers, contractors, and other agencies regarding water quality protection and stormwater management; respond to complex questions and information requests about best management practices and stormwater management regulations.
• Coordinate efforts with the department, division, and other agencies to ensure appropriate action and uniformity of interpretation, application, and enforcement of regulations and codes.
• Provide direction, assistance, and training.
• Conduct and direct on-site inspections of sophisticated or complex stormwater management.
• Meet with various entities; explain the intent of code and provide options on resolution through written and verbal communication.

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.