Stormwater Compliance Manager

Stormwater Compliance Manager

Los Angeles Waterkeeper (Los Angeles, CA)

Los Angeles Waterkeeper (LAW), a dynamic environmental nonprofit organization that fights for the health of the region’s waters and communities, is seeking a highly motivated, well-organized individual with strong project management skills to join our team as a Stormwater Compliance Manager

This position advances LA Waterkeeper’s mission to hold industrial facilities accountable for failing to control stormwater pollution by ensuring compliance with legal settlements pertaining to California’s Industrial General Permit and the Federal Clean Water Act. The Stormwater Compliance Manager will serve as the lead point person overseeing compliance at 80 - 100 industrial facilities across Los Angeles County.

The ideal candidate will have a technical background in stormwater regulatory compliance and best management practices. A background in water quality and/or environmental regulation is strongly encouraged. Paralegal experience is also a plus, as the role involves managing legal casework. The Stormwater Compliance Manager will support LA Waterkeeper’s legal team through a mix of office work and field sampling, will work closely with all staff attorneys and outside counsel, and will report to the Senior Attorney.

Target start date of September 2, 2025. This will be a full-time, exempt position.

Responsibilities:

1. Compliance Oversight
   • Coordinate with the Legal Department to track and oversee the obligations of consent decrees and settlement agreements with industrial facilities.
   • Review stormwater sampling data and documents from the California Water Resources Control Board to monitor facilities’ compliance and deadlines.
   • Serve as a liaison between LA Waterkeeper’s legal staff, industrial facilities, and external stormwater consultants to facilitate enforcement and compliance efforts.
   • Review and provide substantive feedback on technical compliance documents to confirm alignment with legal agreements, permits, and regulations.
   • Maintain documentation and manage multiple trackers to keep timely, complete, and accurate records of compliance efforts.
   • Oversee financial accounting for compliance cases, to ensure the timely and complete collection of required payments from facilities.
2. Technical Support for Litigation
   • As needed, attend industrial facility site inspections to assess site conditions and evaluate whether Best Management Practices (BMPs) comply with the Industrial General Permit and applicable laws and/or legal agreements.
   • Review and analyze stormwater sampling data from potential enforcement targets to identify violations or permit noncompliance.
   • Lead the stormwater sampling team during the wet season (October- June, variable). Responsibilities include preparing supplies, ensuring team safety, organizing and deploying sampling teams, and overseeing sample collection at targeted sites during rain events, including at night, on weekends, and early mornings as needed.
3. Administrative Support
   • Provide administrative support related to the position as needed, for example preparing reports for LA Waterkeeper’s Board of Directors and funders.
   • Participate in regular staff meetings and team activities.
   • Manage timesheets and maintain accurate time records.
   • Develop and manage a work plan to track responsibilities and progress.

Qualifications & Requirements:

The Stormwater Compliance Manager will be a well-organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated person who thrives working both independently and in collaboration with others. This role entails project management, data review, field work, and the ability to confidently make decisions based on technical subject matter related to industrial stormwater management. This person must demonstrate a commitment to meeting strict deadlines and ensuring timely delivery of all work. As such, the ideal candidate for this role will be able to thrive in a fast-paced setting, juggling multiple projects under tight deadlines and displaying excellent problem-solving skills, organizational instincts, thoroughness with details, and commitment to following through with responsibilities. They will also have the ability to thrive in a small non-profit environment where teamwork, integrity, and flexibility are valued.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental studies, engineering, or related field. Other backgrounds and qualifications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Proven project management proficiency and the ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously while meeting critical deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills with the ability to convey information clearly and directly.
• Represent the organization with professionalism and integrity.

Preferred qualifications include:

• General knowledge of hydrology.
• Prior education or training related to industrial stormwater processes, stormwater pollution management practices, permits, regulations, and legal agreements.
• Candidates with regulatory background or experience related to water quality or the environment are encouraged to apply.
• Qualified Industrial Stormwater Practitioners (QISPs) encouraged to apply.
• Paralegal qualifications and experience a plus.
• Spanish language proficiency a plus.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Supportive, creative, and dog-friendly office in Downtown LA.
• Hybrid work schedule with three days in office per week.
• Some evening and weekend work may be required.
• Travel within LA County and access to reliable transportation required.
• Should be comfortable conducting field work during rain events at any time of the day or night. Proper sampling and safety equipment are provided; LAW’s implements safety protocols to ensure personal safety but must be comfortable working under conditions unique to industrial facilities across a variety of LA neighborhoods.
• Able to work on a computer for up to 8 hours a day and sit at a desk for extended periods; able to read a computer screen and operate a keyboard.
• Able to communicate clearly on the phone and in person and be understood by others.
• Able to navigate industrial facility site inspections which may involve traversing difficult terrain and/or being stationary for several hours at a time.
• For a safe office, COVID-19 vaccination is preferred from all staff and personnel.

Salary, Benefits & Terms

$70k - 80k annually based on experience. This is a full-time, exempt position.

Benefits:  

• Paid health, vision, and dental insurance

• 403(b)-retirement plan with match 

• Hybrid work option (remote and in-office) 

• Generous paid time off policy

• 13 holidays observed annually 
• Winter break Dec 25 – Jan 1 

To Apply

We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis. Please apply online through BambooHR (preferred). You may also apply by email to careers@lawaterkeeper.org by August 10, 2025. When applying, you must include your resume, a cover letter, and three references.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve.  LA Waterkeeper encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Persons with Disabilities, Women and Gender-nonconforming people to apply for this role. We do not discriminate based on any class protected by law. 

About Los Angeles Waterkeeper
LA Waterkeeper was founded in 1993 to fight for the health of the region’s waterways, and for sustainable, equitable and climate-smart water supplies.  We envision the region as an international leader on integrated, sustainable, and equitable water management; a region that is water self-sufficient, and where all waterways throughout the county are safe, healthy, and accessible to the public. Learn more at lawaterkeeper.org.