Please see the following website for application link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2529727/vsp-smp-planner-environmental-planner-3
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
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 & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Voluntary Stewardship Coordinator / Shoreline Master Program Planner (Environmental Planner 3) position. This position will work out of our Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
The VSP / SMP Planner position serves as an associate-level planner that provides project management, planning, policy, technical, and regulatory support to local governments statewide in the development and administration of Voluntary Stewardship Programs under RCW 36.70A.705.
We are looking for applicants with excellent relationship building skills, the ability to quickly assess a situation and make a decision based on agency guidance and law, and the ability to communicate complex planning and scientific principles to highly diverse audiences.
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.
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.
Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts
Duties
The mission of the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program is to support community conservation efforts for our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains. This position furthers that mission by ensuring no-net loss of wetlands in the region, promoting safe and sustainable communities by preserving water quality, flood storage, and fish and wildlife habitat functions. This position supports the agency’s and program’s mission and goals by working with a number of local governments on Voluntary Stewardship Program plans that are designed to protect and enhance critical areas through voluntary actions by agricultural operators on lands used for agricultural activities.
Some of the key work activities of the VSP / SMP Planner position are:
VSP / SMP Planner: Serves as Ecology’s statewide coordinator for Voluntary Stewardship Program activities, including:
- Provides planning, technical, and regulatory support to local governments in the development and administration of Shoreline Master Programs.
- Organizes interagency and intra-agency coordination on complex Voluntary Stewardship Programs, wetland, and water quality technical issues and proposed land, agricultural, and critical areas use.
- Provides oversight planning, development and coordination of the Voluntary Stewardship Programs developed by local governments and consultants.
- Participates in evaluating and awarding grants, negotiating grant agreements, provides technical assistance on issues related to the Shoreline Master Program, monitors and ensures compliance with grant terms and financial conditions.
- Provides project management, planning, policy, technical, and regulatory support to local governments statewide in the administration of Voluntary Stewardship Programs under RCW 36.70A.705, and to local governments in an assigned geographic area in the development and administration of Shoreline Master Programs under the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) under RCW 90.58.
- Facilitates resolution of pertinent issues arising from planning activities which are complex or sensitive, involve multiple programs, and deal with major environmental issues surrounding the Voluntary Stewardship Programs and Shoreline Master Programs.
This is the perfect position for those with a passion for planning at the state/local government level. The position embraces a highly variable range of professional planning intersects and challenging concepts, with a multiplicity if equally variable stakeholders. The successful candidate will have statewide travel requirements, overnight stays, and some evening meetings. The candidate would be required to testify in the event of an appeal of a locally and Ecology adopted Shoreline Master Program. The Central Regional Office, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program consists of independent professional planners, permit specialists, which operate as a cohesive team, with multiple discipline overlaps.
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be September 12, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 11, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Qualifications
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 AND two (2) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
Two years of professional experience in shoreline management and planning will substitute for the Master’s degree provided a Bachelor’s degree in a field listed in the note above has been achieved.
OR
A 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, a natural science, or closely related field AND four (4) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
OR
One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2, provided a degree as described above has been obtained.
Desired Qualifications:
- Shoreline Management Experience – Professional experience working with the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) in either a planning context (i.e. Shoreline Master Program development or modification) or a permitting context (i.e. review or issuance of shoreline permits). Knowledge of the relationship between the SMA and the Growth Management Act and Critical Areas Ordinances and their administrative rules.
- Environmental Science – A Master’s degree, substantial coursework, or professional experience in environmental science, 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.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Must possess a valid driver’s license.
- Be willing and able to occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and travel statewide.
Why work for Ecology?
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 the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life 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
Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information
Supplemental Information
- A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
- A resume outlining your professional experience.
Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume” may disqualify you from further consideration.
Department of 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 at (360) 407-6186.
If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Gary Graff at: gary.graff@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Gary to inquire about the status of your application.
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.
This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.
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 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.