Salary: $55,872.00 – $73,260.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations – Western Washington, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Job Number: 2022-SEA486348424844-12186
Closing: Continuous

Learn more about this position and apply today at Department of Ecology’s Government Jobs page.

Job Description:

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.

The Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill three Regional Shoreline Compliance/Enforcement Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) positions. These positions are located in our Southwest Region Office (SWRO) in Lacey, WA. OR in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.

Please Note: The salary posted above does not include the additional 5% premium pay that these positions will receive if the position’s final location is in King County.

As the Regional Shoreline Compliance and Enforcement Specialist you will work to improve implementation of shoreline master programs (SMPs), including riparian area protections. You will work in collaboration with local governments to help ensure authorized shoreline development achieves no net loss of shoreline ecological functions, and to identify and correct unauthorized activities on priority shorelines and riparian areas. We are seeking applicants to fill one position each in our NWRO in Shoreline and our SWRO in Lacey, and a third position that could be sited in either of those offices. We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people skills, the ability to thoroughly analyze land use proposals to make regulatory decisions, and the ability to communicate complex permitting information to audiences with competing goals and interests.

The Shorelands and Environmental Assistance program supports community conservation efforts for our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains. The Shorelands and Environment Assistance Program is headquartered in Lacey, near Olympia. Regional Offices are located in Lacey, Shoreline, Spokane, and Yakima.

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR):

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.

  • Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
  • Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
  • Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
  • Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

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.

Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery:

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. These positions offer flexible work schedules and telecommute options. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.

Application Timeline: 

This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of September 19, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 18, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Essential Duties:

What Makes This Role Unique?

You will be joining a team of passionate public servants who work with a broad network of local shoreline administrators to implement a new SMA monitoring and adaptive management program. You will get to work and build relationships with various partners, including local governments, tribes, non-profits, and state and federal agencies. This is a great opportunity to use creative and solution-oriented problem-solving skills to protect Washington’s shorelines. You will serve as a regional specialist helping implement a new statewide Shoreline Management Act Compliance and Enforcement Program. For the purpose of these positions, compliance means effective implementation of Shoreline Master Programs (SMPs) through use of appropriate permit review processes, successful ecological mitigation, and consistency with SMP policies and regulations; and enforcement means addressing violations of permits and responding to unpermitted actions.

What You Will Do:

  • Support development and implementation of the proactive SMP compliance assistance program; helping local governments build systems for monitoring and adaptive management of their SMPs to ensure effectiveness and improve efficient administration. 
  • Review and analyze shoreline authorizations and share information and work with local partners to improve compliance with their SMP, including riparian area protections, mitigation obligations and other permit conditions, and to ensure no net loss of ecological functions.
  • Assist local governments in developing systematic approaches to monitor the success of permit systems, including the effectiveness of mitigation and other permit conditions. 
  • Participate in technical assistance training programs for agency staff and local agencies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of SMP implementation. 
  • Serve as project officer for local grants aimed at improving compliance with SMPs. 
  • Implement ongoing programs to monitor shorelines to identify and correct unauthorized activities on priority shorelines.
  • Ensure an effective response to SMA violations through informal, voluntary, and formal enforcement actions such as notices of violations, administrative orders, or settlement agreements.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

  • Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience.

See below for how you may qualify.

Option 1:

Nine (9) years of experience and/ or education:

  • Education: involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
  • Experience: in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning. 

Experience may include a combination of the following:

  • Understanding how to respond to environmental complaints or violations.
  • Writing scientific/inspection reports or documents.
  • Experience explaining complex environmental rules or regulations.

Option 2:

  • A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
  • Five (5) years of experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning, which may include experience as described in Option 1 above. 

Option 3:

  • A Master’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
  • Three (3) years of experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning, which may include experience as described in Option 1 above.

Option 4:

  • A PhD involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
  • Two (2) years of experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning, which may include experience as described in Option 1 above.

Option 5:

  • Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology
  • All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degreeYears of required experience
Combination 1No college credit hours or degree9 years of experience
Combination 230-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.8 years of experience
Combination 360-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).7 years of experience
Combination 490-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.6 years of experience
Combination 5 A Bachelor’s Degree5 years of experience
Combination 6 A Master’s Degree3 years of experience
Combination 7A PhD2 years of experience

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

  • Demonstrated ability to understand and apply environmental regulations at the federal, state, and local level. Able to communicate concisely and accurately through both written and verbal communication to a wide range of audiences.
  • Working knowledge of Clean Water Action (CWA) Section 401 Water Quality Certification, the Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permits and Ecology’s Coastal Zone Management Program.
  • Demonstrated ability to review and understand complex technical documents including wetland reports, environmental analyses and mitigation plans.

Please Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Supplemental InformationEcology 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 candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology

Application Instructions:

It’s in the applicant’s best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
  • Three professional references.

Please DO NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  

For Your Privacy:

When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
  • Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 

Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2 and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:

If you have specific questions about this position, please email Joe Burcar at: joe.burcar@ecy.wa.gov.  Please do not contact Joe to inquire about the status of your application.

To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why Work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment. A career in public service 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.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth 

*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information 

Student Debt – How Working for Ecology Can Help:

The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: 

This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

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. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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.