Water Quality Specialist 2

Pierce County; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County is seeking a dedicated professional for the Surface Water Management team to identify incidents that could pollute stormwater systems and coordinate with regulatory bodies. The role emphasizes field inspections, data collection, and collaboration across departments to support NPDES permit implementation.

The ideal candidate will have experience interpreting environmental data, performing field measurements, and maintaining field documentation, with a strong emphasis on safety and

Qualifications

• Inspections of stormwater facilities and field data collection required.
• Ability to interpret environmental data and perform field notes accurately.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and assist with complex on-site inspections of stormwater facilities.
• Refer and direct stakeholders on spill prevention and water quality matters.
• Calibrate and maintain field sampling equipment and document results.
• Perform water-level and water-quality measurements in field conditions.
• Produce sample labels and chain-of-custody reports for analyses.

Skills

Field inspections

Data collection

Water quality sampling

GIS mapping

Regulatory communication

Education

Two years of college or post-high school technical training

Tools

ArcGIS / GIS software

Field sampling equipment

Job description

Why It's a Great Opportunity: In this public-facing role with the Pierce County Surface Water Management (SWM) team, you will be focused on identifying and responding to activities or incidents that could lead to the discharge of pollutants into stormwater systems and the environment. You will collaborate with other departments and teams to support the implementation of Pierce County's Phase I NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permits. You and your team’s efforts will contribute to reducing stormwater pollution that reaches streams, lakes, groundwater, the Puget Sound, and neighboring municipalities' stormwater drainage systems.

Why It's a Great Department: PPW stewards a healthy and vibrant community by collaboratively planning and investing in our people, infrastructure, systems, and policies. PPW’s team has more than 800 members who collaborate, innovate, and inspire as they provide essential services to the community. The department is responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!

Learn more about Planning and Public Works here.

The Surface Water Management (SWM) division enjoys working together to continuously improve our program by keeping up with new scientific technologies and solving problems to protect our surface waters. We are a supportive and collaborative group of professional scientists, planners, and engineers who strive to protect and maintain surface water quality for fish, wildlife, and the public.

Learn more about Surface Water Management at About Surface Water Management | Pierce County, WA - Official Website (piercecountywa.gov)

How to Be Successful in This Role

Your success will come from combining strong technical, investigative, and communication skills with the ability to perform field work in a variety of conditions. Your experience interpreting environmental data, conducting inspections, maintaining field documentation, updating GIS maps, and calibrating and maintaining field equipment will be utilized often. Your ability to collaborate with colleagues, regulatory agencies, businesses, and the public, as well as resolve conflicts, work independently, and apply stormwater regulations, will also be important. Your flexibility, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and willingness to learn and train others on IDDE procedures, source control practices, and field inspection techniques will help ensure your success.

Your Future in this Role

You will have access to professional development through robust online learning and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success. This position has multiple career growth and promotional opportunities in Pierce County to build on a great career while directly impacting the communities in Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities

• Conduct and assist with complex on-site inspections of stormwater management facilities associated with industrial, commercial, and multi-family land use; determine or verify the proper operation and maintenance of stormwater management facilities and implementation of stormwater Best Management Practices.
• Refer and direct citizens, engineers, contractors, and other agencies in matters of spill prevention, water quality protection, and stormwater management; respond to routine questions and information requests.
• Perform calibration and maintenance procedures on field sampling and monitoring equipment.
• Perform water-level measurements from surface/ground water monitoring wells.
• Perform field measurements such as water temperature, specific conductance, pH, turbidity and dissolved oxygen from both surface and ground water sources.
• Perform data quality assurance and control and chain of custody processing.
• Perform routine water quality sampling, prepare labels, and complete chain-of-custody reports; conduct sampling and field investigations for Surface Water Management staff, other County departments, governmental agencies and members of the public.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

• Additional education or experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements.
• One or more years of progressively responsible related experience AND
• Two years of college or post-high school technical training.
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Our Recruitment Practices

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position.

Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.