Description

Protecting Washington’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 Regional Shoreline Planner (Environmental Planner 3) position. This position will be located in our Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) in Bellevue, WA.

The Shoreline Planner position serves as an associate-level planner, providing planning, 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. The position also reviews the assigned jurisdiction’s shoreline permits, supports administration of Shoreline Master Program and Coastal Zone Management grants, conducts training, and supports Shoreline Management Act compliance.

We are looking for applicants who possess excellent people skills, and the ability to understand and articulate a wide array of planning and technical principles to highly diverse audiences of interested parties. Must have excellent organizational skills and the ability to work with a multitude of internal and external stakeholders.

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.ecology.wa.gov.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

Duties

Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment, and promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations. Our goals are to prevent pollution, clean up pollution, and support sustainable communities and natural resources.

The mission of the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program is to support community conservation efforts for our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains. This position supports the mission by managing the use of shoreline, wetlands, and floodplain resources in the Northwest Region

Some of the key work activities of the Shoreline Planner position are:

Shoreline Master Programs: Serves as project manager for Shoreline Master Program activities, including:
Provides expertise and guidance in the development or amendment of shoreline master programs.
Manages negotiations with local governments to ensure local master program amendments are consistent with the Shoreline Management Act and the Shoreline Master Program guidelines.
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 amendments.
Participates in Program-wide work on SMA policy interpretation and the preparation of SMA guidance for local governments.
Coordinates with program staff as needed regarding the above.
Permit Review: File shoreline substantial development permits within assigned jurisdictions. Reviews and makes recommendations for Ecology action on conditional use and variance permits. Assists other regional planners and programs with select complex permit issues. Recommends and assists with compliance actions as necessary.

Technical Assistance and SEPA: Coordinates with program staff and local government personnel to provide appropriate help in SMA-related policy interpretations or training. Monitors and facilitates effective administration of SMP’s in assigned communities.
Monitor SEPA or permit notices and comments (as time allows) for shoreline related projects in assigned jurisdictions.
Coordinates with local personnel to arrange trainings or other SMP implementation support.
Responds to requests for technical assistance from local governments.
SMP/CZM Grants: Serves as grant officer for SMP and CZM grants: participates in evaluating and development of grants, provides technical assistance on issues related to the work program, monitors and ensures compliance with grant terms and financial conditions.

Please Note: This recruitment is open until filled, with an initial screening scheduled for December 2, 2019. To be considered in the initial screening, please submit your application on or before December 1, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment at any time after the initial screening date.

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

Required Qualifications:

Education – 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, environmental or natural sciences, or closely related field.
Experience – At least Four (4) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development. A master’s degree may substitute for two (2) year of experience.
Planning – Able to apply the principles and processes of land use planning. Knowledge of the authorities governing land use or environmental permitting processes, and the institutions that govern land use.

Desired Qualifications:

Education – A 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.
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 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.

Why work for Ecology?

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington’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

Application Instructions:

Please include the following documents as an attachment to your application:
A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
A resume outlining your professional experience.
Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.

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.”

Other Information:

If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Joe Burcar at: joe.burcar@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Joe 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.