Watershed Planning Unit Supervisor (WMS1)

Washington State Department of Ecology; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Ecology's Watershed Planning Unit seeks a WMS1 supervisor to lead seven staff in directing policy, technical support, and oversight for nonpoint and TMDL programs statewide. The position requires ensuring compliance with laws, coordinating with agencies, and guiding complex projects to timely completion.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, resource management, and effective communication while maintaining a diverse, high-performing team committed to

Qualifications

• Nine years of environmental program and regulatory experience.
• Experience with strategic planning and performance management.
• Proven inter-agency and partner coordination skills.
• Leadership and team development experience.
• Human resources management experience.
• Workload, project, and resource management experience.
• Strong technical communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as program resource for policy and program development, liaison on inter-program and inter-agency work groups.
• Provide oversight and recommendations for nonpoint enforcement and penalties.
• Act as liaison with the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Ensure work is consistent with law and regulation; meet deadlines for nonpoint plans, annual reports, and TMDL settlement agreements.
• Manage recruiting, hiring, and staffing per collective bargaining and civil service rules.
• Support effective communications and maintain professional conduct; promote a diverse workforce.
• Plan and schedule unit workload; facilitate project teams; monitor tasks; ensure timeliness.
• Manage unit budget and approve leave, timesheets, training requests, travel expenses, and purchases.
• Evaluate staffing needs; conduct personnel actions; interview and recommend hires; arrange training; evaluate performance; initiate corrective actions.
• Ensure timely completion of required reports, plans, publications; review documents for consistency with laws and guidelines.

Skills

Regulatory expertise

Inter-agency coordination

Strategic planning

Leadership

Team development

HR management

Workload management

Project management

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree or higher

Environmental science/engineering background

Job description

Job Title and Summary

Watershed Planning Unit Supervisor (WMS1) within the Water Quality Program.

Location

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Must live within commutable distance from duty station.

Schedule

• Eligible for telework and flexible schedule options; minimum two days per week in the office.
• Schedules dependent on position needs and may change.

Application Timeline

Apply by July 22, 2026.

Duties

Lead a team of seven staff to manage policy direction, technical support, coordination, and oversight for nonpoint and TMDL programs statewide.

What You Will Do

• Serve as program resource for policy and program development, liaison on inter-program and inter-agency work groups.
• Provide oversight and recommendations for nonpoint enforcement and penalties.
• Act as liaison with the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Ensure work is consistent with law and regulation; meet deadlines for nonpoint plans, annual reports, and TMDL settlement agreements.
• Manage recruiting, hiring, and staffing per collective bargaining and civil service rules.
• Support effective communications and maintain professional conduct; promote a diverse workforce.
• Plan and schedule unit workload; facilitate project teams; monitor tasks; ensure timeliness.
• Manage unit budget and approve leave, timesheets, training requests, travel expenses, and purchases.
• Evaluate staffing needs; conduct personnel actions; interview and recommend hires; arrange training; evaluate performance; initiate corrective actions.
• Ensure timely completion of required reports, plans, publications; review documents for consistency with laws and guidelines.

Qualifications

Minimum nine years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position. Includes:

• Environmental program and regulatory expertise.
• Strategic planning and performance management.
• Inter‑agency and partner coordination.
• Leadership and team development.
• Human resource management.
• Workload, project, and resource management.
• Technical communication.

Education

Major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, engineering, planning, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with environmental emphasis, or a closely related field.

Examples of How to Qualify

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years & 30–59 semester or 45–89 quarter credits.
• 7 years & 60–89 semester or 90–134 quarter credits (Associate’s).
• 6 years & 90–119 semester or 135–179 quarter credits.
• 5 years & a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years & 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.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40, veterans, military spouses, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.