Water Quality Specialist 3 Temporary Hire

Why it's a great opportunity: In this temporary hire position with the Water Quality team, you will gain experience in research and project management involving in two vital projects to support our customers and community. First, you will read and interpret the Pierce County Stormwater Manual to create educational and guidance materials for developers and residents of the County. Creating user guides and standardized forms will allow residents and contractors to better understanding what is required in the permitting process and allow quicker processing of those permits. Second, you will be reaching out to various municipalities, stake holders, and staff to research incentives for the Pierce County Stormwater Maintenance Self Inspection Program. The work you do here will support more efficient permitting processes and ongoing stormwater management and maintenance programs. 

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 that collaborate, innovate and inspire in performing 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.

How to be successful in the role: Your success will come from your being a self-starter with fundamental knowledge and interest in environmental science and water quality. You will need strong research, outreach, communication, and collaboration skills. You will be successful by engaging with diverse stakeholders, municipalities and county staff to effectively communicate and facilitate discussions. Strong technical writing skills are essential, including the ability to draft clear documentation and translate complex information into plain language. Being goal oriented, improvement focused with a growth mindset will also support 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:

• Lead of a water quality unit or program or project. 
• Correspond with citizens, engineers, contractors, and other agencies in matters of water quality protection, and stormwater management; respond to complex questions and information requests regarding best management practices and stormwater management regulations. 
• Coordinate efforts with the department, division, and other agencies to ensure appropriate action and uniformity of interpretation, application and enforcement of regulations and codes
• Provide direction, assistance and training.
• Conduct and direct on-site inspections of sophisticated or complex stormwater management 
• Meet with various entities; explain the intent of code and provide options on resolution through written and verbal communication. 

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

• Additional education or experience may substitute equally for the recruiting requirements. 
• A resume and cover letter are required for this position. 
• Four years of college or post-high school technical training AND 
• Three or more years of progressively responsible related experience. 

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.

To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting “APPLY” above or visiting www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have questions about this opportunity, email the Recruitment Team at [email protected] and include the job number and title.
• Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

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.