Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.
The Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Shoreline Planner (Environmental Planner 3) position. This position will work out of our Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.

The position serves as an associate-level planner, providing project management, planning, policy, technical, and regulatory support to local governments in an assigned geographic area in the development and administration of Shoreline Master Programs under the Shoreline Management Act (SMA). The position also administers Shoreline Master Program and grants, conducts training, and supports Shoreline Management Act compliance.

We are looking for applicants to be detail oriented, highly organized, have strong relationship building skills, and are committed to providing good customer service.

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. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

The Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program helps communities manage shorelands, floodplains, and wetlands. Our primary focus is on state and local responsibilities for administering Washington state and federally-delegated laws. Our mission is to work in partnership with communities to support healthy watersheds and promote statewide environmental interests.

Some of the key work activities of the Shoreline Planner include:

Shoreline Master Programs:

Using knowledge of long-range and natural resources planning principals, techniques, current trends, environmental laws, policies and programs concerning all phases of state resource development, serves as project manager for Shoreline Master Program activities including:

• Provides expertise and guidance in the development of shoreline master programs and amendments containing policies, regulations, procedures, processes and design standards.
• Manages negotiations with local governments to ensure local master program consistency with the Shoreline Management Act and the Shoreline Master Program guidelines using the skills and abilities to identify key relationships, maintain effective working relationships with governmental officials, address large groups and write effectively.
• Manages the state review and approval process, conducting public hearings as necessary and assuring compliance with applicable Washington Administrative Codes.
• Conducts research and prepares analyses, including legal implications on shoreline issues for incorporation into master program policy and regulations using the ability to interpret and apply agency policy, develop long-range work plans, think conceptually, and observe and interpret trends, analyze data and draw logical conclusions.
• Participates in Program-wide work on SMA policy interpretation and the preparation of SMA guidance for local governments using the ability to interpret and apply agency policy.

Technical Assistance:

Coordinates with program staff and local government personnel to provide appropriate help in SMA-related policy interpretations and training on the SMA and its administrative requirements.

• Provides oversight to planning specialist in the planning, development and coordination of the Shoreline Master Programs developed by local governments and consultants.
• Conducts research, prepares printed materials, and develops presentations as appropriate to meet local government training needs.
• Coordinates with local personnel to arrange and carry out training sessions for local government personnel.
• Responds to requests for technical assistance from local governments.

SMP Grants:

Serves as grant officer for SMP Grants.

• Participates in evaluating and awarding grants, negotiates grant agreements, provides technical assistance on issues related to the work program, monitors and ensures compliance with grant terms and financial conditions.

Please note: This is a project position that is funded until June 30, 2017.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be July 14, 2015. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before July 13, 2015. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Required Qualifications:

A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2, provided a degree in one of the fields listed above has been obtained.

OR

A Bachelor’s Degree in a field listed above AND Two years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

Examples of the Two years of professional experience can include:

1) Recommending policies, procedures, and standards of adequacy for planning by the agency, by other state agencies, by consultants, and by others performing planning activities over which the agency has supervisory responsibilities.

2) Coordinating the administration of contracted planning and other related contract professional services.

3) Conducting technical liaison with principal planning personnel in other state agencies and with directors of regional, local, and federal planning agencies.

4) Scheduling the work of professional staff in carrying out the resource planning and program responsibilities of the agency as a project leader.

5) Determining eligibility of consultants to perform work for the agency and recommends the selection of those found qualified for state planning services.

6) Coordinating the preparation of plans, reports, documents, administrative regulations, and other informational material designed to encourage and implement the planning objectives of the agency, and to provide information to technicians, planners, government officials, and the public.

7) Providing management and oversight of planning grants to local governments, other state agencies, and other organizations.

8) Assisting in the development of a recommended legislative program.

9) Consulting with federal, state, and local governmental officials on administrative policy in rendering technical and financial planning assistance.

10) Preparing resource management plans, and coordinates these functional components developed by state and federal agencies and by local governmental units.

11) Conducting meetings and field trips representing the agency in contacts with the public; local, state, and federal governments; civic and business groups; and other special interest groups.

Desired Qualifications:

Shoreline Management Act – experience applying the shoreline management act in both a planning context (i.e. Shoreline Master Program development or modification) and a permitting context (i.e. the review and issuance of Shoreline Substantial Development Permits, Conditional Use Permits, or Variances). Knowledge of the relationship between the SMA and the Growth Management Act and Critical Areas Ordinances and their administrative rules.

Environmental Science – a degree, substantial coursework, or professional experience in environmental science, water resource management or hydrology, wetland science, geology, biology, oceanography, or other natural sciences.

Government Experience – experience working for a local, state, federal or tribal resource management agency in a planning, program management, policy, or regulatory capacity.

Working Conditions:

Work will typically be conducted in the office, in meetings with external parties, and through occasional field visits. Work will periodically require longer than 8-hour days to meet deadlines or allow for travel time. Work will occasionally require greater than 40-hour weeks to meet deadlines.

For immediate consideration, please apply online at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1182301.