The Department of Health (Health) works to protect and improve the health of people in Washington State. The mission of the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) is to improve the health of people in Washington State by reducing and preventing, where possible, human exposure to a variety of environmental hazards and disease pathogens associated with the treatment and disposal of wastewater, the food we eat, the schools our children attend, and the places we recreate and overnight.

As an Environmental Planner 5, you will be designated as the principal planning consultant in the area of wastewater and shellfish sanitation issues. You will assist the (OEHS) Deputy Director in leading efforts to revise and implement action plans for Puget Sound Vital Signs regarding shellfish beds and for Results Washington, Goal 3, around the shellfish and onsite sewage measures.

You will supervise four (4) National Estuary Program (NEP) staff and report directly to the OEHS Deputy Director. You will coordinate, develop, and implement highly complex policies, legal issues and proposed legislation regarding public health aspects of Puget Sound recovery – including supervision of staff working to coordinate the Whatcom Clean Water Program and related transboundary water quality work as well as grant contracts to entities surrounding Puget Sound. Lastly, you will oversee the coordination of activities defined in cooperative agreements between Health and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and communicates directly with the Puget Sound Management Conference.

This is a full-time permanent Environmental Planner 5 (EP 5) within Environmental Public Health (EPH).

Washington State Department of Health (DOH) works with federal, state, tribal, and local partners to help people in Washington stay healthy and safe.  Our programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide education to help people make good health decisions and ensure our state is prepared for emergencies. To learn more about the agency, visit our website, DOH Infographic (Download PDF reader), and see what it’s like to Work@Health!

DOH is a great place to work and has implemented several “Employer of Choice” initiatives, including:

• We are committed to diversity and inclusion. DOH fosters an inclusive environment that encourages all employees to bring their authentic selves to work each day. We strive to hire, develop, and retain a competent and diverse workforce that is reflective of the customers we serve.
• We have an engaging Wellness@Health program which offers programs that support healthy behaviors and work/life balance. Our program provides wellness education, access to healthy food, physical activity classes, stress relief, and many other resources to support a healthy you.
• We support a healthy life/work balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules, and mobile and telework options.  (Depending upon job duties.)
•  We are making exciting steps towards modernizing our workplace by providing motivating and inspiring workspaces that promote creative thought, innovation, and collaboration among co-workers.
• We have an Infant at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of breastfeeding newborns and infant-parent bonding.  Eligible employees who are new mothers, fathers, or legal guardians can bring their infant (6 weeks to 6 months) when returning to work.  (Depending upon job duties and work location.)

• Plan, lead, and organize the work performed by the NEP team.
• Recruit and hire qualified staff as needed and coach and mentor direct reports.
• Work with Deputy Director to hire, train and guide staff.
• Provide staff regular feedback and encourage training and professional development.
• Complete performance development plans and performance assessments within required time frames.
• Serve as principal planning consultant in the area of wastewater and shellfish sanitation issues that impact tribal, recreational and commercial shellfish growing areas in Puget Sound.
• Collaborate with Wastewater Management and Shellfish program staff on related projects.
• Coordinate work and assists the OEHS Deputy Director in leading efforts to revise and implement action plans for the Governors Results Washington, Goal 3 around the shellfish and onsite sewage measures and coordinate with the Puget Sound county Local Health Jurisdictions regarding their Onsite Sewage System Local Management Plans.
• Provide strategic advice to the Deputy Director and OEHS Management Team on highly complex policies, legal issues, and proposed legislation regarding public health aspects of Puget Sound recovery.
• Lead projects, policy analysis and program development in the area of shellfish sanitation that help guide regulatory, incentive-based, and place-based efforts to protect and restore marine and near shore waters for safe shellfish harvesting.

What we’re looking for

The ideal candidate is an experienced and resourceful team player, defined as having a driving passion for the work, bringing humility to their job and people interactions, and understanding how their words and actions affect others.

Required Qualifications

• Option 1: Bachelor’s degree 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 AND five (5) or more years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

• Option 2: Seven (7) or more years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

• One (1) or more years of professional experience managing grants and/or contracts.
• Demonstrated experience with the following:
  • Building rapport, partnerships, and maintaining cooperative activities with others including diverse individuals and organizations.
  • Developing and implementing major program activities.
  • Developing, interpreting, and applying policies and long-range work plans.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree 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.
• Five (5) or more years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions
With or without an accommodation, I am willing and able to:

• Work indoors, at a desk/workstation the majority of a workday, in an open office environment with possible conversation and other noise distractions.
• Work at a tobacco-free campus and environment.
• Occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and/or to adjust normally scheduled hours, which may include evening and weekends.
• Occasionally travel throughout the state (including rural areas) which may include overnight stays.
• Legally operate a state or privately owned vehicle or provide alternative transportation.
• Work in a fast-paced/stressful environment with multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Move object weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding information accessed or discussed while performing the duties of the position.
• This position has frequent, ongoing interaction with office and agency staff. The positon also regularly interacts with the public, local and state agency staff, tribal staff and other stakeholders.
• Work both independently and as a lead for other administrative staff; and to learn new things and adapt to changes within the work environment.

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is an equal opportunity employer.  DOH strives to create a working environment that is inclusive and respectful.  It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of our workforce. Applicants wishing assistance or alternative formats in the process should contact Carlene Mealing-Baldwin at (360) 236-4408, Carlene.Mealing-Baldwin@doh.wa.gov or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1.

Application Process

Intrigued? We’d love to hear from you.  Click “Apply” to submit your detailed application profile along with the following:

1. A letter of interest, describing how you meet the specific required qualifications for this position.
2. A current resume.
3. Three (3) or more professional references, to be included in your profile. Please include at least one supervisor, peer, and (if you have supervised staff) a subordinate.

Note: Do not attach transcripts or other documents that are not requested in the Application Process, or that are password protected.  These type of documents cause errors when downloading application materials and will not be forwarded to the hiring supervisor. Veterans, please feel free to attach a copy of your DD214.