PARIS and Portal Permit Support (Environmental Specialist 2)

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Flexible scheduling

Job summary

State of Washington's Department of Ecology is hiring for a PARIS and Portal Permit Support role (Environmental Specialist 2) in the Water Quality Program, located in Lacey, WA. The position offers telework options with required in-office presence at least one day a week, and up to two days near permit deadlines.

You will support external users, manage access to permitting databases, and help ensure accurate reporting while advancing water quality protections in Washington.

Qualifications

• Customer and Technical Support—assist users with routine system, reporting, and account issues.
• Data and Records Management—maintain accurate data and organized records for program reporting and retrieval.
• Regulatory and Policy Interpretation—understand/apply laws, rules, policies, procedures.
• Communication Skills—clear communication with coworkers, permittees, public.
• Problem Solving—identify issues and escalate when needed for timely resolutions.
• Adaptability and Collaboration—adjust to evolving systems with team coordination.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Water Quality WebPortal Help Desk and triage database support requests.
• Provide direct customer service to external customers with guidance on navigating WebPortal systems.
• Serve as the single point of contact for Electronic Signature Authorization for stormwater permits.
• Grant and manage account access for permit submittals, including DMRs.
• Document and update reference materials and standard operating procedures.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to identify and implement database improvements.
• Maintain organized records to support timely responses and public disclosure requests.

Skills

Customer support

Data management

Regulatory interpretation

Communication

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental sciences

Tools

Water Quality WebPortal

Job description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a PARIS and Portal Permit Support (Environmental Specialist 2) within the Water Quality Program.

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. Two days per week may be required around certain permit deadlines.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline

• Apply by October 28, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

In this position, you will serve as the initial point of contact for external customers seeking assistance with electronic signature and submittal processes in the Water Quality WebPortal for our most public-facing general permits: the construction and industrial stormwater permits. You will manage external user access to our permitting database systems, provide technical assistance for various permit submittals, and help ensure accurate and timely reporting.

This role offers the opportunity to build expertise in environmental data systems, stormwater permitting, and electronic reporting. You will strengthen your customer service and technical problem-solving skills, collaborate with staff across the Water Quality Program, and contribute to improvements that make a direct impact on clean water in Washington.

What you will do

• Manage the Water Quality WebPortal Help Desk and triage incoming database support requests.
• Provide direct customer service to a high volume of external customers including permittees, consultants, city and county government officials, Tribal members, and others through written and verbal guidance on navigating the Water Quality WebPortal systems.
• Serve as the single point of contact for the Electronic Signature Authorization process for construction and industrial stormwater permits.
• Grant and manage account access for construction and industrial stormwater permit submittals, including discharge monitoring reports (DMRs).
• Document and update reference materials and standard operating procedures related to the duties of this position.
• Collaborate with Ecology subject matter experts and other permit staff to identify and implement database improvements.
• Maintain organized records to support timely responses to customer needs and public disclosure requests.

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

Required Qualifications

Five (5) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Customer and Technical Support– Ability to assist users with routine system, reporting, and account issues to ensure they can access and submit required information accurately.
• Data and Records Management– Ability to maintain accurate data and organized records to support program reporting, compliance, and timely retrieval needs.
• Regulatory and Policy Interpretation– Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, policies, and procedures to support consistent, compliant program operations.
• Communication Skills– Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with coworkers, permittees, partner agencies, and the public to resolve issues and support program goals.
• Problem Solving– Ability to identify issues, review information carefully, and take appropriate action or escalation to ensure accurate and timely resolutions.
• Adaptability and Collaboration– Ability to adjust to evolving systems and processes while working cooperatively with program staff and technical teams to maintain smooth operations.

Education

involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.

Examples of how to qualify

• 5 years of experience.
• 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• A Master’s degree or higher.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with water quality permitting and reporting requirements.
• Familiarity of Ecology’s water quality permitting databases.

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 www.uscis.gov.

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.

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 and select #2 for Recruitment or email [e-mail]
• 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 Noel Tamboer at [e-mail]
• 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 [e-mail]

About the Water Quality Program

The mission of the Water Quality Program is to ensure that all aquatic life and communities in the watershed experience cool, clean water to refresh and sustain us in a changing climate. This position protects and preserves Washington’s environment, and in particular Washington’s waters, by effectively developing, implementing, and maintaining data that supports their protection and restoration.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology 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. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following

• Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s)
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*
• 11 Paid Holidays per year*
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Programs
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
• Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commute Trip Reduction Incentive
• Combined Fund Drive
• SmartHealth
• Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

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.

Collective Bargaining

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

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.

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