Salary : $88,927.00 - $111,936.00 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: 07/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Watershed Planning Unit Supervisor (WMS1) within the
Location:

• Headquarters Office in
• 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 two days per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by July 22, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties
Are you interested in leading a fantastic team of professionals working to protect and restore water quality? Can you see yourself developing strategies and policies that support our state's development of water clean-up plans and implementation of water quality improvement actions to address nonpoint sources of pollution? If so, this position could be a great fit for you!

In this position, you will supervise a headquarters unit made up of seven staff that provide environmental and policy services and support regulatory decisions to protect water quality across the state. You will be responsible for the effective and efficient management of the unit, which provides policy direction, technical support, coordination and oversight for the nonpoint and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL/water clean plans) programs statewide.
What you will do:
As the Watershed Planning Unit Supervisor, you will work with your team to protect and restore water quality in streams, rivers, and lakes across the state. As a working supervisor you will be able to engage in a wide range of activities including:

• Serve as program resource for policy and program development for the state nonpoint and TMDL programs; serve as a program liaison on inter-program and inter-agency work groups; and coordinate with relevant governmental, professional, and industry officials.
• Provide oversight and recommendations associated with nonpoint enforcement and penalties.
• Serve as liaison with the Environmental Protection Agency for issues related to the nonpoint and TMDL programs.
• Assure that all work performed by the unit is consistent with existing law and regulation. Meet deadlines established by the Environmental Protection Agency for production of state nonpoint plans and for submission of nonpoint program annual reports. Meet deadlines and reporting requirements in the TMDL settlement agreement and the performance partnership agreement.
• Manage recruiting and hiring of staff in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement by and between the State of Washington and Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) in addition to civil service rules.
• Support effective communications throughout the agency. Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the state's goals for a diverse workforce.
• Plan and schedule unit workload, coordinate annual planning, establish priorities, assign tasks, facilitate intra- and inter-program project teams, monitor status of unit tasks and commitments, and ensure timeliness of employee assignments.
• Manage unit budget and monitor expenditures, approve leave, timesheets, training requests, travel expenses vouchers, and purchasing requests.
• Evaluate unit staffing needs, initiate personnel actions, prepare position descriptions and essential functions analyses, interview and recommend staff hires, arrange training and professional development opportunities, evaluate staff performance, and initiate or recommend corrective actions.

• Assure the timely completion of required or appropriate report submissions, plans, publications, recommendations, and other required products. Provide detailed review of documents to ensure that staff documents and recommendations are consistent with state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines.

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 related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Environmental Program & Regulatory Expertise - Experience in applying environmental laws and policies to ensure organizational decisions and deliverables meet federal and state requirements.
• Strategic Planning & Performance Management - Experience in planning and tracking program work to meet commitments and demonstrate measurable progress.
• Interagency & Partner Coordination - Experience in collaborating with external partners to align efforts and achieve consistent environmental outcomes.
• Leadership & Team Development - Ability to guide and support staff to build a high-performing, collaborative team.
• Human Resource Management - Experience in recruiting, developing, and evaluating employees to maintain a capable and effective workforce.
• Workload, Project, and Resource Management - Ability to prioritize tasks and manage budgets and resources to ensure timely, efficient completion of work.
• Technical Communication - Ability to clearly explain complex environmental and policy issues to support informed decisions by staff, leadership, and partners.

Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, engineering, planning, 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.

Desired Qualifications:

• Education or experience in management and supervision.
• Clean Water Act regulatory experience.
• Experience planning and executing large complex projects.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

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 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.
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 Ben Rau 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