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Water Quality Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant Coordinator

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Water Quality Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Water Quality Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant Coordinator (Environmental Planner 3) position. 

This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA and is eligible for a telework/in-office hybrid schedule. You will have the opportunity to telework the majority of your week, and should live within a commutable distance to our Lacey office for in-person meetings and activities.


During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is not currently required to work in the office on a regular basis. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.”

In this position, you will collaborate with Ecology staff, the EPA, local governments, not-for-profits and federally recognized tribal governments to reduce nonpoint source pollution statewide, if this sounds fulfilling, this may be the job for you. You will serve as an independent project manager responsible for coordination and oversight of the federal Clean Water Act-Section 319 Nonpoint Pollution grant program and financial management of state and federal grants awarded to eligible recipients statewide


The mission of the Water Quality Program is to protect and restore Washington's waters to support healthy watersheds and communities. Our work ensures state waters can support beneficial uses including recreational and business activities, supplies for clean drinking water, and the protection of fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public health.   

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.


Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
 
Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
 
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
 
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
 
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
 
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of May 6, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before May 5, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties



What makes this role unique? 
The Water Quality Nonpoint Source Pollution Grant Coordinator provides many opportunities to collaborate with Ecology staff, the EPA and local partners to reduce nonpoint source pollution statewide and strengthen mutual trust based on shared goals such as improving water quality throughout the state.
 
This position is an active part of our financial assistance grant and loan team. The grant and loan team is a productive and supportive workgroup that assists each other in the challenges of overseeing financial assistance agreements.

What you will do: 

As a project manager, you will provide planning, coordination and management of the Program's nonpoint financial assistance provided through water quality grant programs. You will help oversee approximately $2 million in federal 319 funds and $7 million in state Centennial matching funds annually for the federal Section 319 pass-through incremental funding program. To do this, you will:
 
  • Manage and oversee federal reporting requirements by identifying, tracking, and managing Section 319 state matching funds provided through Centennial nonpoint source grants, to ensure the Program can adequately meet the federal matching requirement that secures the federal 319 funding.
  • Receive and maintain Section 319 and Centennial matching project load reduction reporting requirements, and ensure the data is maintained and reported as part of the federal GRTS and Load Reduction reporting requirements.
  • Develop, negotiate, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, and terms of agreements for Section 319 grants and Centennial matching grants to ensure water quality improvement projects are managed in accordance with federal and state rules and regulations, provide water quality improvement, timely and appropriate project deliverables, and measurable environmental outcomes.
  • Review, analyze, develop, and recommend policies and guidelines governing non-point source best management practices (BMP) eligibility and implementation for Section 319 and Centennial matching water quality improvement projects. As part of the BMP review and assessment process, independently engage program staff, accept input from external local and state governmental agencies, nonprofits, and tribal governments, evaluate concerns, and recommend actions to program management.
  • Provide specific Section 319 programmatic knowledge and planning review to gain consensus among regional project managers and supervisors in support of policy, procedure and guidance for nonpoint grant funding.
  • Lead and facilitate the internal Nonpoint Funding Workgroup, promoting program consistency, information sharing, and process improvements.
  • Serve as lead project financial manager and coordinator on Section 319 water quality improvement projects.
  • Review grant applications from local governments and non-profit organizations to ensure eligibility and compliance with Section 319 funding requirements and consistency with the state nonpoint plan.
  • Evaluate federal grant administrative and programmatic conditions to ensure grant agreements comply with federal requirements.
  • Independently manage and coordinate the Nonpoint Activity Financial Assistance Workgroup, supporting the overall goal of facilitating funding program consistency and communication between the regional offices and headquarters.
  • Manage and oversee the Direct Implementation Fund (DIF) program, including guidelines development and project development, funding awards and project management in coordination with the Watershed Management Section staff and regional office staff.

Grant management: You will be a lead project financial manager for nonpoint water quality improvement projects. You will oversee state and federal grant and loan agreements, including agreement development, financial management, administration and coordination with an emphasis on federal Section 319 funded grants and Centennial matching projects. To do this, you will:
 
  • Act as lead section planner on land acquisition projects, including participation in the Agency Acquisition Workgroup. Develop agreement language and special contract conditions needed to address land acquisition.
  • Provide regional project specialists with technical support for the interpretation of federal and state statutes, Water Quality Program policies and procedures and funding program guidelines as they relate to the financial management of grant and loan projects.
  • Provide quality assurance review of the negotiated project scope of work, budget, and special conditions to ensure grant and loan integrity, eligibility of costs, and statewide consistency in accordance with funding program guidelines, Water Quality Program policies and procedures, and state and federal laws.
  • Provide financial management assistance to grant and loan recipients on requirements contained in Administrative Requirements for Ecology Grants and Loans, Ecology Publication No. 91-18. Provides administrative assistance to recipients on grant and loan record keeping and other administrative requirements.
  • Coordinate project closeout information with regional project managers and prepare recipient notification letters and final performance evaluations.
  • Conduct project site visits as needed to verify project costs and progress.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

Option 1:
  • A Bachelor’s degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field
  • Four (4) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

Option 2:
  • A Master's degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field
  • Two (2) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 
  • Must have a valid driver's license.


Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.


  • Experience coordinating water quality or other environmental or natural resource protection programs, including policy development.
  • Experience with nonpoint pollution and watershed planning and implementation projects using state and federal grants. Experience with project management, project financial management, and federal reporting requirements.
  • Education or experience with nonpoint pollution problems and impacts to water quality and direct familiarity with implementation of best management practices for water quality improvement and protection.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Supplemental Information

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.  

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
  • Three professional references.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable. 
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
  • Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 
 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Kim Wagar at: Kimberly.Wagar@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Kim to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.