Salary : $75,108.00 - $100,980.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Water Quality
Opening Date: 05/12/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

Senior Municipal Stormwater Permit Writer (Environmental Planner 4)
Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by May 26, 2026
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties
This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of protecting Washington's state waters. You will be responsible for stormwater permitting for the state's largest cities, counties, and public entities including ports. You will work closely with a dedicated team of planners, engineers, scientists, and managers to write legally defensible, science-backed municipal stormwater permits. This is your opportunity to engage with external partners through committees, workgroups, and conferences.
What you will do:

• Develops, plans and coordinates the process of updating and writing the Phase 1 municipal stormwater permit with partner engagement.
• Assist with the development and writing of the Phase II stormwater permits and the WSDOT permit.
• Works with regional planners to implement the MS4 permits including audits, attending jurisdictional planning meetings, and developing programmatic approaches to stormwater treatment.
• Establishes and coordinates partner groups that provide recommendations for Department policy decisions and permitting actions.
• Drive manual equivalency efforts to ensure Phase I manuals are equivalent to SWMMs.
• Run the departmental permit modification workshops to provide information and opportunities for public comment to partners and permittees.
• Works with the Attorney General's office as a technical expert on permit appeals as needed.
• Provides independent, expert guidance on programs, policies, and regulations, in coordination with regional staff, to assist local government planning staff with Stormwater programs consistent with permit requirements.

Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our

Required Qualifications:
Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related experience.
• Education involving a major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master's degree or above.
• 1 year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3, at the Department of Ecology.

Supplemental Information
Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit .

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 DEIRis 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.

Application Process

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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply

Click "Apply" at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see resume" may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our
Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Katie Rathmell at
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at [email protected]

About the Water Quality Program
The mission of the Water Quality Program (WQP) is to protect and restore Washington's waters to sustain healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures that state waters benefit uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife and public health. The Water Quality Program believes in a healthy work/life balance and is committed to growth and development of staff.