Permit Manager Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $78,485.40 - $105,512.40 Annually
Location : King County - Shoreline, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-WQ4392-06186
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Water Quality
Opening Date: 08/05/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring an Industrial Wastewater Permit Manager (Environmental Engineer 2) within the
Location:

• Northwest Region Office in
• The salary listed includes 5% premium pay due to the position location in King County.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options after successful completion of the probationary period.
• A minimum of two days per week is required in the office after successful completion of the probationary period.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by August 19, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties
As the Industrial Wastewater Permit Manager, you will support Ecology's mission and represent the Water Quality Program as an Environmental Engineer. Under the supervision of the Industrial Wastewater Permits Unit (IWPU) Supervisor, you will be responsible for developing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, State Waste Discharge (SWD) permits, and accompanying fact sheets for industrial facilities in the Northwest region of Washington state. This work directly supports clean water protections and helps ensure industrial practices are safe, sustainable, and compliant.
In this role, you will review permit reports, conduct facility inspections, provide technical assistance, investigate complaints, conduct compliance reviews, and provide technical support for enforcement recommendations. Under the guidance of a licensed engineer, you will also review engineering reports submitted by the industrial facilities.
You will frequently collaborate with internal staff to offer technical assistance to industrial facilities and to support the development of compliance or enforcement actions. This position provides opportunities to grow your technical expertise, strengthen your engineering judgment, and contribute meaningfully to environmental outcomes across the state.
What you will do:

• Develop wastewater discharge permits.
• Review water quality monitoring data to determine facility compliance.
• Conduct facility inspections, provide technical assistance, and write inspection reports.
• Conduct water quality sampling and analyze monitoring data to evaluate compliance.
• Assist with the development of enforcement actions.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and clearly explain complex technical issues in plain language.
• Work with the Ecology Communications team to respond to media inquiries.
• Learn to review engineering reports submitted for ISGP and individual NPDES permits.

Learn more about what it is like to be an Engineer at the Department of Ecology
Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our
Required Qualifications:
Six (6) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Permit Development - Ability to evaluate permit applications and technical documents to develop accurate and defensible permits.
• Regulatory Interpretation - Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policies to ensure permits and compliance actions meet legal requirements.
• Engineering Review - Ability to assess engineering reports, treatment system information, and monitoring data to identify issues and recommend technically sound solutions.
• Engineering Tools & Methods - Ability to use engineering tools, models, and methods to support evaluations of treatment systems, discharge conditions, and environmental impacts.
• Field Inspection & Sampling - Ability to conduct on-site inspections and sampling to verify facility conditions and support compliance determinations.
• Technical Collaboration - Ability to work constructively with facilities, Tribal nations, local governments, and colleagues to resolve technical questions, support compliance efforts, and ensure consistent understanding of engineering and environmental requirements.
• Communication & Documentation - Ability to communicate technical concepts and prepare clear permits, reports, and correspondence to support regulatory decisions and partner understanding.

Education involving a major study in one of the following engineering fields: sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, industrial, agricultural, bioengineering or related field.
Examples of how to qualify:

• 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.
• 2 years of experience AND an Engineer-In-Training Certificate
• 1 year of experience AND a Master's degree or higher.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license or provide alternate reliable transportation for travel within the state of Washington.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience or training in developing and/or implementing wastewater discharge permits.
• Experience in wastewater and/or stormwater treatment, including reviewing or preparing engineering documents, operation and maintenance manuals, stormwater management manual.
• Experience with Western Washington Hydrology Model (WWHM) or similar models for designing stormwater control facilities.
• Experience or training in water quality sampling and water quality monitoring data analysis.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.
Supplemental Information
Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit
Application Process
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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Click "Apply" at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume
• Writing sample: wastewater discharge permit, inspection report, water quality data analysis, comments on technical reports, technical reports, etc.

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see resume" may be considered incomplete.
For detailed application information, please visit our
Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
Need an Accommodation?
If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at or
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Monika Kannadaguli at
• 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

About the Department of Ecology
As the State of Washington's environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington's environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology 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. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
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.
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.
Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: , , *, *, , , & , , , , , , , *Click here for more information
To learn more about Ecology, please visit our , explore , check out our , and connect with us on , , , , or our
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.
Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
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.
#LI-Hybrid
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