Principal Natural Resources Analyst

Job Description

Position Description

Are you passionate about environmental stewardship, watershed protection, and managing infrastructure that supports resilient natural resources? Tacoma Water is seeking an experienced professional to serve as a subject matter expert in environmental protection, water quality, and forest road infrastructure within the Green River Watershed. In this role, you'll lead programs and capital projects that safeguard Tacoma's drinking water supply while collaborating with government agencies, utilities, tribal partners, contractors, and private landowners to ensure responsible stewardship of one of the region's most valuable natural resources.
The ideal candidate is an environmental or forest professional who combines technical expertise with strong project management and relationship-building skills. They are comfortable working in remote field environments as well as collaborating with diverse stakeholders to solve complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. They bring experience managing capital projects, administering operational programs, interpreting environmental regulations, and balancing resource protection with operational needs. A proactive communicator and trusted technical advisor, they use sound judgment, data, and collaboration to protect water quality while supporting the long-term resilience of Tacoma Water's watershed assets.

This is an opportunity to combine environmental expertise, engineering knowledge, project management, and stakeholder engagement to make a lasting impact on the protection of Tacoma's watershed.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical expert on environmental protection, water quality, forest practices, and watershed operations for projects within the Green River Watershed.
• Plan, design, and manage capital improvement projects including culvert replacements, slope stabilization, road improvements, paving, and rock resource development.
• Lead watershed protection programs such as spill response, culvert inventory and replacement, bridge inspections, road usage accounting, and related operational initiatives.
• Partner with federal, state, tribal, local, and private stakeholders to ensure projects and activities comply with environmental regulations, forest practices, and Tacoma Water requirements.
• Develop and implement water quality protection measures, sampling plans, access permits, equipment tracking processes, invasive species inspections, and visitor education programs.
• Provide technical guidance during emergency response and natural disaster events involving watershed infrastructure, including flood, wildfire, earthquake, and road failure response.
• Research, analyze, and interpret operational and environmental data to identify trends, recommend improvements, and support long-term watershed planning.
• Develop scopes of work, procurement documents, and contracts for capital projects, emergency response, and ongoing operational services while overseeing contractor performance.
• Support watershed operations through special projects, public outreach, educational events, and other assignments that advance Tacoma Water's mission.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in biology, environmental science, forestry, resource management, archeology or other scientific field related to assignment

Minimum Experience*
5 years of professional level experience in environmental programs including 1 year prior at senior, lead and/or supervisory level

* Relevant education and experience may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Desired Qualifications
Experience with forest road engineering
Experience with environmental regulations and/or water quality protection requirements

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
First Aid and CPR certification within the first 6 months of employment
Washington State Driver's License

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
Apply

Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Hourly Rate: $54.60 - $76.88
Annual Salary: $113,568.00 - $159,910.40

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 9/8/2026 5:00 PM Pacific