What are the responsibilities and job description for the Permit Developer and Facility Manager (Environmental Specialist 3) position at Washington State Health Care Authority?
Description
- Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA.
- Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
- This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
- A minimum of 10% of your work schedule is required in the office.
- Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
- Apply by October 22, 2026
- Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.
Duties
As the Permit Developer and Facility Manager for the Central Regional Office (CRO) Water Quality Industrial Unit, you will be an integral part of a dynamic team of scientists, engineers, and hydrogeologists. With this team, you will collaboratively and independently develop and oversee National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)/State Waste Discharge (SWD) permits, industrial state waste discharge permits and accompanying fact sheets that control wastewater discharges in a manner protective of Washington’s waters in the Central Region. You will use your knowledge on current and emerging industrial stormwater and wastewater trends and issues for development and compliance of NPDES and SWD permits.
Your work involves close collaboration with the Central Region Office Water Quality Industrial Unit staff, Water Quality staff throughout the state, as well as working with regulated entities and the public to provide regulatory oversight of industrial wastewater discharges. As permit writer and facility manager, you will be in the forefront of emerging trends and technology associated with industrial wastewater treatment and permitting. Permits issued by the Industrial Unit are critical to protecting and maintaining water quality, support growth in our state, and keep our communities healthy and thriving. You will be a key partner in our collective efforts to protect public health, the waterways, and environment in Washington State.
- Develop draft permits and fact sheets using agency standard templates for internal and external review, solicits and responds to both permitted entity and public comments, and develop final permit for issuance.
- Works with Water Quality staff throughout the State to ensure Industrial Unit NPDES permit development is in accordance with current Whole Effluent Toxicity testing standards.
- Serves as Central Region Water Quality Industrial Unit expert on contaminants of emerging concern.
- Derive permit conditions based on legal and technical requirements for discharges to state waters, including evaluating the complex biological, chemical, and physical properties of the discharge and receiving environment.
- Perform statistical analyses on data from wastewater monitoring and receiving water.
- Conduct permit compliance inspections, prepare inspection reports, and communicate findings to facilities.
- Provide technical assistance to permittees or other affected entities and individuals to achieve permit compliance and water quality goals and objectives.
- Provide technical assistance to legal counsel with the Attorney General’s Office on appeals of permits or enforcement actions; develop testimony and represent the agency as a witness in court cases or issues under consideration of administrative hearings boards.
Qualifications
- Regulatory Expertise – Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, and policies to ensure decisions and documents are accurate, consistent, and compliant.
- Permit & Document Development – Ability to review information and prepare clear, accurate, and defendable regulatory documents to support consistent program decision-making.
- Analysis & Problem Solving – Ability to evaluate information and data to identify issues and recommend practical, effective actions.
- Field & Operational Assessment – Ability to conduct site visits and inspections to observe operations, verify requirements are met, and document findings clearly.
- Technical Communication – Ability to explain technical and regulatory information in writing and verbally so others understand expectations, decisions, and processes.
- Collaborative Work – Ability to work effectively with colleagues, facility representatives, and community partners to support coordinated efforts and shared objectives.
- 6 years of experience.
- 5 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
- 4 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
- 3 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
- 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
- No experience AND a Master’s degree or above.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license or provide alternate reliable transportation for travel within the state of Washington.
- Regular travel is required between Ecology headquarters, regional offices, partner agency locations, and assigned inspection sites/facilities within the Central Region.
- Experience working with environmental legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local level.
- Experience with oral and written communication of complex issues and interpreting technical documents for a variety of audiences.
- Experience or demonstrated familiarity with stormwater and industrial facilities.
Supplemental Information
- Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
- Resume
- Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
- If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.
- For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Andrea Jedel at Andrea.Jedel@ecy.wa.gov
- 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 careers@ecy.wa.gov
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
Salary : $59,760 - $80,496