As the agency’s Shellfish Strategic Initiative Lead with the National Estuary Program section of the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS), you’ll work to advance actions that prevent, reduce, and control pathogen pollution primarily to protect and restore water quality for shellfish harvesting in Puget Sound.

The Shellfish Strategic Initiative is one of three initiatives (shellfish, storm water, and habitat) that frame the Puget Sound Action Agenda. You’ll work closely with agency staff, the Puget Sound Partnership (PSP), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and lead agencies of the other two strategic initiatives (Ecology, Natural Resources, and Fish and Wildlife) to coordinate implementation of the Action Agenda and administration of companion National Estuary Program (NEP) funding as well as on related strategic planning.

This senior position organizes and coordinates a stakeholder team that oversees and directs implementation of the Shellfish Strategic Initiative and investment decisions for the NEP grant funds.

The Office

The mission of the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) is to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington State by reducing and preventing exposures to environmental hazards and pathogens associated with the food we eat, the schools our children attend, the shellfish we harvest, the disposal of wastewater, and the places we recreate and lodge.  Learn more about OEHS.

This is a full-time, permanent Environmental Planner 4 position.

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.)

What will you be doing? – Duties include:

• Coordinating the implementation of the Shellfish Strategic Initiative of the Puget Sound Action Agenda.

• Leading the scientific and technical aspects of the Shellfish Strategic Initiative Team.

• Coordinating the Shellfish Strategic Initiative team, related outreach and collaboration.

• Developing expertise on the intent and content of the Action Agenda including the strategies, sub-strategies, vital signs, and near term actions.

• Providing analysis and advice on Puget Sound legislative and policy initiatives at all levels of government.

What we’re looking for

Success in this position requires one to be a 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: A Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; environmental public health; 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.

OR

• OPTION 2: A Master’s degree with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; environmental public health; landscape architecture; geography; land use or environmental law; public administration with an environmental emphasis; or closely related field; AND four (4) or more years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

AND

• Demonstrated experience in the following:

o Building rapport, partnerships, and maintaining cooperative activities with others including diverse individuals and organizations.
o Developing and implementing major program activities.
o Developing, interpreting, and applying policies and long-range work plans.

Desired Qualification

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

• Three (3) 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.

• One (1) or more years of experience as an Environmental Planner 3 or equivalent related position.

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 both independently and as a lead with other staff and to learn new things and adapt to changes within the work environment
• Work in a fast-paced/stressful environment with multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Move object weighing up to 25 pounds.

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

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.

If you have questions, need alternative formats or other assistance please contact Skyler Jones at (360) 236-4408, skyler.jones@doh.wa.gov, or TDD Relay at 1-800-833-6384 or 7-1-1. Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can’t log in, password or email issues, error messages).

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.