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Stormwater Financial Assistance Coordinator

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Water Quality Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Stormwater Financial Assistance Coordinator (Environmental Planner 4) position. 

This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

Pollution from urban surfaces is the greatest threat to Washington’s marine and freshwater resources. You can help protect and restore water quality in Washington state by assisting local communities as they implement projects that reduce stormwater impacts from infrastructure and development.

Ecology provides over $300 million dollars in grant and loan funding through the Water Quality Combined Financial Assistance Program each year for a combination of wastewater, onsite septic, non-point and stormwater projects. Ecology’s Water Quality Combined Funding Program packages funding from multiple state and federal grant and loan programs, including the Stormwater Financial Assistance Program, into a one-stop-shop application. As our Stormwater Financial Assistance Coordinator, you will work with Section and Unit supervisors to coordinate the statewide Ecology team that manages stormwater projects, provide technical assistance to local governments, and review and rank project applications.

You will also work with local governments, regional project managers, financial managers and stormwater engineers to develop guidance, policy, and procedures to ensure that state funding is delivered to high priority water quality projects.

The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington's waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.    

About the Department of Ecology
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR
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. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is not currently required to work in the office on a regular basis. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” 
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of June 17, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before June 16, 2022. Applications will still be accepted after the initial screening date, however the agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties



Why join this team? 
As a partner in project implementation, the Stormwater Financial Assistance Coordinator will be “where the rubber meets the road.” You will be a key part of a highly engaged team that works together to find solutions to project implementation challenges and effectively communicate complex funding requirements. 

What you will do: 
As a senior planner, you will coordinate the stormwater financial assistance programs. To do this, you will:
  • Coordinate the development of new funding program policies, criteria, and guidance.
  • Analyze new legislation to interpret and anticipate impacts to existing funding programs.
  • Work with the financial assistance team and external stakeholders to develop and implement new policies and procedures to address new or updated state and federal regulations.
  • Serve as a liaison with local governments, state and federal regulatory and funding agencies, tribes, and other stakeholders. 
  • Coordinate the preparation and presentation of stormwater funding program work plans, policies, and reports with regional Ecology staff, partner agencies and other external stakeholders.
  • Serve as lead for the Stormwater Action Team Workgroup and work closely with the Stormwater Action Team members including regional grant managers and other financial assistance and municipal stormwater staff in providing for the effective and efficient management of stormwater funding agreements.
  • Provide oversight for technically complex and sensitive stormwater projects.
  • Provide leadership and assistance to other financial and project managers to resolve technical and eligibility project issues.
  • Serve as the senior planner of the Stormwater Grant Programs funding cycle process. 
  • Monitor and track the progress of the performance of projects for measurable water quality improvements. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

Option 1:
  • A Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, soils, chemistry, wetlands, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field. 
  • Five (5) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.    

Option 2:
  • A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, soils, chemistry, wetlands, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field. 
  • Three (3) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.  

Option 3:
  • One year as an Environmental Planner 3 at the Department of Ecology.


Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

  • Experience planning, designing, permitting, or implementing stormwater infrastructure projects.
  • Experience implementing municipal stormwater programs.
  • Experience facilitating virtual and in-person stakeholder meetings.
  • Knowledge and experience working with state and federal grant and loan programs for water quality improvement and protection.
  • Knowledge of local government planning and budgetary processes.
  • Strong writing and communication skills.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Supplemental Information

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.  

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
  • Three professional references.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable. 
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
  • Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 
 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Jessica Schwing at: Jessica.Schwing@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Jessica to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service 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 the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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.