WA Dept of Ecology – Permit Manager and Data Quality Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)(In-Training)

Regional Associations; Spokane (WA); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Ecology is hiring a Permit Manager and Data Quality Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)(In-Training) within the Water Quality Program for the Eastern Region, Spokane, WA. This full-time, hybrid role requires coordination with facility owners and operators through the permitting process.

You will build out database tools, track permit records, review submittals for compliance with laws, and assist in incident response while growing toward ES3 in-training.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, including permitting and compliance management.
• Ability to review applications, make permitting decisions, and ensure facilities meet regulatory obligations.
• Experience in inspections, incident evaluation, enforcement documentation, and data management.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with facilities and partner agencies.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage water quality permits.
• Provide technical assistance to facilities to improve compliance.
• Conduct inspections and respond to complaints.
• Manage the permit application acceptance process.
• Develop database tables for facilities to report required discharge monitoring results.
• Draft documents for compliance and enforcement efforts.
• Manage the regional program’s Environmental Incident response and reporting.

Skills

Permit and Compliance Management

Inspection and Incident Evaluation

Enforcement Documentation and Case

Data and Information Management

Technical and Scientific Analysis

Communication and Collaboration

Education

Environmental/Physical/Natural Sciences education

Job description

Salary $51,600.00 – $80,496.00 Annually

Location Spokane County – Spokane, WA

Job Type Full Time – Permanent

Remote Employment Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number 2026-WQ2664-06182

Department Dept. of Ecology

Division Water Quality

Opening Date 10/12/2026

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 Permit Manager and Data Quality Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)(In-Training) within the Water Quality Program.

Location:

• Eastern Region Office in Spokane, 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 October 19, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

This is your opportunity to join a high performing team that’s shaping the future of water quality in the Eastern Washington region. In this role, you’ll partner with facility owners and operators as they navigate the permitting process. You’ll build out database tools that keep critical information organized, track important permit records, review submittals to ensure they meet environmental laws and rules, conduct occasional inspections, and help coordinate responses to environmental incidents reported by the public.

As you grow in this work, you’ll gain hands‑on experience that prepares you to advance your career in environmental permitting, compliance, and inspection. If you’re excited about protecting Washington’s waters and supporting responsible facility operations, this is a role where you can truly make an impact.

What you will do:

• Implement and manage water quality permits.
• Provide technical assistance to facilities to improve compliance.
• Conduct inspections and respond to complaints.
• Manage the permit application acceptance process.
• Develop database tables for facilities to report required discharge monitoring results.
• Draft documents for compliance and enforcement efforts.
• Manage the regional program’s Environmental Incident response and reporting.

Qualifications

This position offers an in‑training plan and may be filled at the Environmental Specialist 2 or 3 level, depending on your qualifications. If you qualify at the ES2 level and are hired, you will progress through an in‑training plan to become an ES3 within a specified time period.

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

At the Environmental Specialist 2 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 47, $4,300 – $5,779 monthly

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

• Permit and Compliance Management –Ability to understand and apply environmental requirements to review applications, make permitting decisions, and ensure facilities meet regulatory obligations.
• Inspection and Incident Evaluation –Ability to assess sites and environmental incidents to identify problems, document conditions, and determine the appropriate follow‑up actions.
• Enforcement Documentation and Case Support – Ability to prepare clear, accurate enforcement materials and records to support fair and defensible compliance actions.
• Data and Information Management – Ability to set up, manage, and maintain data systems to ensure information used for compliance, reporting, and decision‑making is accurate and reliable.
• Technical and Scientific Analysis – Ability to review technical documents, interpret environmental data, and evaluate potential impacts to support sound regulatory decisions.
• Communication and Collaboration – Ability to explain technical information clearly and work effectively with facilities, colleagues, and partner agencies to support compliance and coordinated work.

Education involving a major study in an environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or an academic