Salary: $53.60 - $62.40 Hourly
Location : SPU - Wharf Building, 4203 - 21st Ave So., Seattle, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Seattle Public Utilities
Division: Drainage and Wastewater Line of Business
Opening Date: 07/21/2026
Closing Date: 8/11/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Drainage and Wastewater Line of Business is seeking a dedicated Stormwater Environmental Compliance Inspector under the cities job classification (Civil Engineering Specialist, Associate) to join our environmental protection team. This position plays a critical role in safeguarding Seattle's waterways and the Puget Sound by ensuring businesses and property owners comply with stormwater regulations. You'll work directly in the community, providing technical assistance and enforcement support while contributing to the cleanup efforts at the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund site.

As a Stormwater Environmental Compliance Inspector, you'll be on the front lines of environmental protection, conducting field inspections, investigating pollution sources, and responding to water quality emergencies. This role offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on Seattle's environmental health while working with diverse communities and stakeholders throughout the city.

Job Responsibilities

• Inspect businesses throughout the City to provide technical assistance regarding stormwater best management practices and enforce compliance with the City's Stormwater Code. A major emphasis of the work is the Lower Duwamish Waterway (LOW) Superfund site.
• Inspect privately owned stormwater flow control and treatment systems to ensure compliance with City maintenance requirements.
• Communicate with property owners and businesses; write letters, inspection reports, and enforcement actions, and input data into a mobile database.
• Investigate and identify pollutants entering the City drainage system, both from current home and business activities and other sources. These investigations may involve collecting sediment and stormwater samples to determine pollutant sources, as well as investigation of pollution into the stormwater drainage system during dry weather.
• Respond to water quality complaints and provide technical assistance to businesses and residents.
• Respond to spills and routinely perform week-long after hours/weekend on-call assignments.
• Coordinate with other City, State and Federal and other agencies on pollutant source control issues.
• Manage consultant contracts and take on special projects as needed.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications
Education: Associate Degree in Civil Engineering Technology, or two years of college level coursework in engineering and construction technology.

Experience: Requires two years' civil engineering experience.

Experience and Education Equivalency: A combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Certification/License: Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Desired Qualifications:

• Environmental and Regulatory Experience: Experience with stormwater management practices, environmental regulations, water quality standards, field inspections, environmental compliance monitoring, and stormwater treatment systems.
• Technical and Investigation Skills: Experience with water quality sampling, pollutant source identification, mobile data collection systems, engineering principles related to drainage systems, and spill response procedures.
• Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical report writing and public interaction. Experience providing technical assistance to businesses, explaining complex concepts to diverse audiences, and coordinating with regulatory agencies.
• Field Work and Project Management: Ability to work independently in various weather conditions, manage contracts and special projects, work flexible hours including on-call assignments, and perform physical field work.
• Ability to respond to spills within 90 minutes after hours and on weekends when acting as a spill responder.

Work Environment/ Physical Demands:

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment.
• Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances and work in or near construction sites.
• May be required to lift over 50 pounds.
• May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time.
• Overnight travel may be required.

Additional Information
Workplace Environment: This position requires four days on-site. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor. It is a requirement that Stormwater Environmental Compliance Inspectors become 40-hour Hazmat certified within the first year of employment in order to fulfil the stormwater spill response duties.

How to Apply: In addition to fully completing the online application, please attach your resume and cover letter addressing the Desired Qualifications, and respond to all supplemental questions. These are required to be considered for this position. Your cover letter should also include your general knowledge and experience related to the position.

The salary range for this position is $53.60 - $62.40 hourly.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Zachary Brown at
Website | Learn more about Seattle Public Utilities atand check us out on social media.
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Do you possess an Associate's Degree in Civil Engineering Technology, or two years of college level coursework in engineering and construction technology?
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Do you have two years of civil engineering experience?
Required Question