Stormwater Inspector

2 weeks ago

Pasco, Washington, United States King County Full time


Below covers everything you need to know about what this opportunity entails, as well as what is expected from applicants.
Summary

Shape the Future with King County's Stormwater Team
Empower Change, Protect Our Waters
About the Role:
Are you passionate about protecting habitats, our natural waters, and communities? Join a vibrant team of nearly 50 dedicated professionals in King County to enhance the environment for over 250,000 residents and the region. Your role will be instrumental in protecting our waters through innovative strategy and collaboration with internal and external partners.

Collaborate, Innovate, and Make a Difference
Work with various agencies, property owners, and contractors to ensure our water quality and flow control facilities meet top standards. Join a dedicated team of high-performing inspection staff, water quality planners, scientists, and engineers. Your leadership will ensure compliance with clean water laws, address urgent drainage concerns, and foster community engagement. There is a growing need to design and manage resilient stormwater management systems in the face of climate change. Together, we can make a difference by reducing pollution, mitigating flooding, and preserving water quality in rivers, lakes, and streams that contribute to a healthier Puget Sound.

Primary Mission: Balance and Educate
Help maintain the balance between our developed and natural environments. Advise and educate King County citizens about the importance of maintaining their stormwater systems while supporting King County's National Pollution Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permit compliance.

Why This Role is Perfect for You

  • Innovative Approaches: Be part of exciting projects and initiatives.
  • Team Culture: Work with a skilled, enthusiastic team ready to improve water quality.
  • Career Development: Grow your career while making a positive impact on the environment and community.
King County: A Place Where Your Contributions Flourish
Be part of a mission-driven organization that values collaboration, innovation, and community service. Join us at King County, where we offer competitive pay and benefits, and a supportive environment where every person is valued. Your work will contribute to a thriving community and a healthier environment.

Join Us and Make a Positive Impact
If you love working in the field, making a positive impact, and communicating with diverse communities, this is the perfect opportunity for you

Apply Now and Make a Difference

About the Team:
King County's Stormwater Services Section is committed to protecting public safety, improving water quality, and restoring aquatic resources in unincorporated King County. We own and maintain stormwater facilities and collaborate with cities, non-profits, tribes, and partners to accelerate regional conservation efforts that benefit community health and the environment.

We increase our impact through collaboration with regional partners in groups such as the Washington APWA Stormwater Committee, ROADMAP, Business Inspection Group and STORM (Stormwater Outreach for Regional Municipalities).

The Stormwater Services Section is part of the Water and Land Resources Division (WLRD), which includes eight (8) sections, and is housed within the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP). Supported by an annual budget of approximately $250 million, WLRD's over 400 staff work on projects that protect and restore clean water and land, emphasizing equity and resilience against climate change.

WLRD also develops strategies for managing farms, forests, and habitats, and reducing toxic threats. It provides equitable access to green spaces, designs habitat projects, and constructs facilities that enhance community benefits while protecting infrastructure. The division's Environmental Lab and Science sections use high-quality data and Best Available Science for environmental decision-making.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Stormwater Inspector (Engineer I), you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resources Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.
Job Duties

What You Will Be Doing:

  • Assess drainage facilities for maintenance needs.

  • Field investigations of drainage and water quality inquiries and complaints related to water quality and flow control facilities.

  • Provide technical support to field maintenance crews, property owners, and other Division staff.

  • Perform asset management data collection in stormwater detention, water quality treatment, and flood control facilities.

  • Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Qualifications You Bring:

  • Possess general knowledge of stormwater flow control and water quality treatment facilities per the guidelines of King County Surface Water Design Manual (SWDM) or equivalent manual, and King County Roads Standards.

  • Proficiency in reading and interpreting design plans, as-builts, plat drawings, specifications, and technical documents.

  • Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely, both in writing and orally, to colleagues, outside agencies, and the public.

  • Ability to create maps from field data; read and interpret maps, construction plans/profiles/details, and aerial photos for land use, land cover, topographic features, and drainage components.

  • Ability to independently conduct fieldwork, which involves accurately taking and recording field measurements, applying knowledge of surface water and water quality control, and inspecting and recording maintenance needs with drainage facilities and field conditions.

  • Ability to take initiative within the scope of the position; effectively plan, prioritize, and problem-solve using analytical skills.
Required Licenses:
  • Washington State Driver's License
It Would be Great If You Also Bring:
  • Understanding of King County Code 9.08.
  • Experience with GIS and GPS tools as used for field mapping of assets.
  • Understanding of Water Quality and Flow Control Best Management Practices.
  • Understanding of Asset Management Principles and their application to Stormwater Facilities.
  • Experience in effectively working with communities where English is a second language.
Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

  • Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location and in the field, with onsite reporting requirements typically one (1) day per month. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision of Green Where We Work.
  • Remote Work Location Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within a reasonable distance to King County worksites to meet onsite reporting requirements.

  • Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
  • Union Representation: This position is represented by PROTEC Local 17A.

  • Necessary Special Requirements:
    • Valid Washington State driver's license or the ability to obtain one prior to starting work if selected for this position.
    • The final candidate will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical.

Physical Requirements:
This position requires the ability to conduct physical site inspections and evaluations, including in times of inclement weather conditions. There is often a need to walk on uneven terrain, for extended periods of time. Field conditions include brushy, forested environments, river, stream and wetland corridors, and slippery, uneven surfaces and adverse outdoor weather conditions. Work tasks also may include in-water situations involving wading and the use of rafts. Ability to work long hours outside conducting field work and occasionally in inclement weather is necessary.
Application and Selection Process:
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but first consideration will be given to all current King County PROTEC Local 17A bargaining unit employees eligible for a lateral transfer (transferring within the Engineer I classification and having passed probation). We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness including online application, cover letter and resume, and responsiveness to the list of qualifications, skills, and abilities. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews. Applications without the following required materials may not be considered for this position.
  • King County application
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter detailing your background and what you can bring to this position.
  • Responses to supplemental questions
Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jamie Jensen-Young at (XXX) XXX-XXXX or

Discover More About the Division: Visit our website.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore aninteractive mapof our recent accomplishments and check us out atFacebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTubeand Keeping King County Green News.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

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