Senior Water Quality Specialist, Grade N26

Senior Water Quality Specialist, Grade N26

Salary

$87,235.00 - $140,274.00 Annually

Location

2425 Reedie Dr Wheaton MD 20902 USA

Job Type

Permanent

Job Number

2026-00336

Department

Department of Environmental Protection

Division

DEP 80 Monitoring and Planning

Opening Date

06/11/2026

Closing Date

6/19/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

About the Position

Please note: The salary range above represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $87,235 to $113,754 based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is a nationally recognized and award-winning agency with the mission to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery Countys air, water, and land in a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and industry-leading way while fostering smart growth, a thriving more sustainable economy and healthy communities. DEP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. DEP encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

DEP is the lead agency in Montgomery County dedicated to assessing stream health and water quality, and this position will lead efforts covering a broad range of monitoring that assess the water in our streams throughout the County, including assessments of the biological community, stream structure, water flow, and water chemistry testing. We invite you to join our team as we strive to meet water quality standards and ensure the long-term health of our watersheds.

We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic water quality professional to lead the Countywide water quality monitoring programs, supervise a dedicated water quality monitoring team, and serve as the County's subject matter expert on surface and ground water quality, aquatic ecology, and monitoring. In this leadership role, the Senior Water Quality Specialist will ensure compliance with Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permit requirements (Assessment of Controls), Special Protection Area (SPA) monitoring and reporting regulations, deliver high-quality data and analysis for watershed assessments and planning, manage contracts and grants, and collaborate across agencies and with the public to advance water quality goals.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in monitoring water quality, aquatic ecology, and stormwater, analyzing water quality data, communicating water quality monitoring results, interpreting and communicating scientific advancements in water quality and restoration, engaging with local, state, and federal stakeholders and partners, managing water quality monitoring programs and comprehensive water quality reporting. The candidate should be prepared to perform work outdoors in the streams and rivers of Montgomery County leading the collection of water quality data.

What Youll Be Doing

This position is responsible for managing the Countywide stream monitoring, Special Protection Area (SPA), Restoration, and Special Project monitoring programs, including coordination of all elements needed to meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and supervision of staff for associated monitoring, data analysis, and report preparation.

Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Managing the Countywide Stream Monitoring Program- coordinate biological, chemical, and physical habitat monitoring to meet MS4 permit watershed assessment requirements; provide data and analysis for watershed assessments and management plans; ensure accurate and timely completion of field monitoring; oversee field and laboratory identification, quality control, and data analysis; lead submittal of draft and final reports for County Stat and annual MS4 permit reporting; maintain the watershed monitoring database and ensure that web content reflects the most recently completed MS4 permit report year; develop contractual mechanisms, in partnership with the Planning Team and Monitoring and Planning Section Chief, to support Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) implementation plan monitoring and pollutant track-downs; and communicate DEP water quality monitoring results to internal and external stakeholders.
• Managing DEP's SPA Monitoring Program- coordinate completion of all field monitoring and associated data analysis to meet SPA annual reporting requirements; design monitoring studies to determine Best Management Practice (BMP) and Environmental Site Design (ESD) success; keep leadership informed of issues affecting timely report completion and maintain current web-based SPA program information; and communicate monitoring results to stakeholders to support adaptive planning and regulatory decisions that advance water quality goals.
• Supervising Team Staff- manage full-time monitoring staff and part-time interns; assign and review work; develop and coordinate work plans; establish position descriptions; develop annual performance plans and conduct appraisals; manage leave and overtime; review and approve timecards; and ensure completion of mandatory training and coordinate staff time to meet program and department objectives.
• Managing Contracts and Grants- oversee contractor performance tracking, data deliverables, and documentation of issues and corrective feedback; ensure contracts, task orders, and agreements are executed appropriately and on schedule; and assist with management of incoming water-quality-related grants.
• Serving as Water Quality Monitoring Subject Matter Expert- lead discussions and provide technical guidance within DEP, with other County agencies, the public, and with administrators and elected officials; and interpret DEP monitoring data, peer-reviewed literature, and relevant information to inform decision-making and advance water quality goals.
• Coordinating with Federal, State & Non-County Agencies; Support Outreach & Grants- lead interagency coordination (e.g., MOUs, joint grant applications, data exchange, technical support); promote and support volunteer monitoring opportunities; provide technical assistance for water-quality-related outreach; assist with and manage technical aspects of outgoing water quality grants as needed.
• Leading Water Quality Data Collection and Fieldwork- serve as crew leader (and occasionally crew member) for water quality field work; determine sampling and analysis methods aligned with Department objectives; adapt monitoring programs as needed to better inform Department goals and outcomes.

Additional Information

Much of the work is performed outdoors, along stream banks and in streams and ponds which may involve deep or swiftly moving water or human or animal wastes from sanitary sewer leaks. There is occasionally some risk in the work involving deep or swiftly moving water, snakes or other harmful animals, and electric shock from a fish shocking device. Proper precautions for outdoor work must be taken, including proper attire, boots, hand protection, and proper grounding for the fish shocking device. Outdoor work requires light physical effort such as walking over rough, uneven, slippery and rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or reaching; or occasional lifting of objects up to 50 pounds. The remaining work is performed in an office or laboratory environment.

The incumbent for this position must attend the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) spring and summer training and must earn certification for benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and fish crew leader. The incumbent to the position must maintain the certification. Possession of the MBSS fish taxonomy certification and/or the Society of Freshwater Sciences General Arthropod and EPT genius level certification is preferred but not required.

This position requires possession and maintenance of a valid drivers license and the ability to drive a County vehicle to attend meetings, conduct site visits for audits/inspections/investigations, field sampling, transport equipment, transport samples, conduct surveys, and observe or inspect construction sites, as well as respond to water quality incidents and perform other work at locations throughout Montgomery County that may not be served by public transportation.

Occasional evening or weekend work outside of normal business hours may be required to meet program needs or engage with community stakeholders.

As a manager/supervisor of unionized employees, this position?has a responsibility for fostering a positive labor relations environment based on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation.

To ensure a positive workplace and to comply with federal, state and County laws, the incumbent is responsible for completing mandatory trainings within the first three to six months or within the specified timeframe.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Five (5) years of experience in stream water sampling and data analysis including water chemistry, flow and toxics data for baseflow and storm flow conditions; and bioassessment protocols for streams and rivers (particularly fish and macroinvertebrates) and assessment of stream habitat conditions; one year of which was in a lead worker or supervisory capacity.

Education: Bachelors degree in biology, aquatic ecology, limnology, natural resources management, environmental science or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicants state of residence.

Medical Exam: This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation (Core Exam), which includes a physical examination.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences

• Experience with county, state and federal laws and regulations relevant to water quality protection, in particular the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit program and laws and regulations for natural resource protection, such as the Countys Special Protection Areas program, and in working with a broad spectrum of technical agencies and stakeholder groups to meet these program goals.
• Experience completing reports and presenting summaries on monitoring results and trends within established timelines and suitable for diverse audiences and regulatory decision-making.
• Experience with stream ecological concepts, identifying benthic macroinvertebrate taxa and freshwater fish species common to the mid-Atlantic region, and monitoring protocols and equipment needed to meet the Countys MS4 Permit requirements and other monitoring program goals, including experience with Maryland Biological Stream Survey protocols and procedures, or experience with similar state monitoring protocols.
• Experience designing and implementing monitoring plans to meet stream protection and restoration goals and evaluating the effectiveness of stormwater best management practices using local, state, and federal agency standards.
• Experience developing and recommending budgets for staff and equipment and managing contracts necessary for the Countys stream monitoring programs.
• Experience planning, directing, and supervising employees following all applicable policies, personnel regulations and agreements, while maintaining a positive, labor relations environment based on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicants responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the Countys "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriffs office) are subject to the Countys ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Leave Benefits

Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.

Retirement Benefits

All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.

Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness

Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.

Free Mass Transit Benefit

County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.

Reduced Child and Health Care Costs

Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.

Employee Wellbeing

We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.

Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits

01

What is your highest level of completed education?

• High School/GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Juris Doctor
• Doctorate

02

How many years of experience do you have in stream water sampling and data analysis, including water chemistry, flow, and toxics data for baseflow and storm flow conditions; bioassessment protocols for streams and rivers (particularly fish and macroinvertebrates); assessment of stream habitat conditions?

• Less than 1 year or No Experience
• 1 Year Experience
• 2 Years Experience
• 3 Years Experience
• 4 Years of Experience
• 5 Years of Experience
• 6 Years of Experience
• 7 Years of Experience
• 8 Years of Experience
• 9+ Years of Experience

03

Do you have at least one (1) year of experience in a lead worker or supervisory capacity?

• Yes
• No

04

Please explain your experience working in a lead worker or supervisory capacity and identify the position(s) on your resume where this work was performed. If you do not have experience in this area, indicate "N/A."

05

Do you possess and currently maintain a VALID drivers license from your state of residence?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Montgomery County (MD)

Address 101 Monroe Street

7th Floor

Rockville, Maryland, 20850

Phone 240-777-0311

Website https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ohr