REGIONAL WETLANDS/SHORELANDS SPECIALIST (ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill two Regional Wetlands / Shorelands Specialist(Environmental Specialist 4) positions.

One position will be located in our Southwest Regional Office (SWRO) in Lacey, WA and the other in our Northwest Regional Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.

Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Please Note : If the final location of this position is determined to be in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.

there will be an additional 5% pay increase due to its location in King County. In this instance the salary range will be $5776 - $7770 per month.

In these positions, you will serve as a senior section environmental specialist with a focus on wetland and shoreline management.

Your responsibilities will include independently reviewing and providing permitting recommendations for development proposals near shorelines and wetlands in either Southwest or Northwest Washington.

You will join 3-5 other specialists carrying out similar duties in the region and will have the opportunity to collaborate and share knowledge with this existing team.

You will interpret and implement the state's Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58); the Water Pollution Control Act (RCW 90.

48), Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. You will provide technical assistance to local governments and other agencies on our wetland guidance documents and on shoreline management policy and procedures.

You will participate on several multi-level teams internally and externally. These positions will also have fieldwork associated with site visits, wetland verifications, and partner meetings.

Agency Mission : The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations.

Program Mission : The mission of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program is to create community conservation partnerships to protect and restore our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.

Tele-work options for this position : This position will be eligible for up to a 90% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in other information.

Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline : This position will remain open until filled. We will review applications on August 9, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before August 8, 2024.

If your application isn't received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date.

Please Note : We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made.

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 *Click here for more information

About the Department of Ecology

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference.

Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering :

• A healthy life / work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity : We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity : We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion : We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology's work.

Respect : We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

What makes this role unique?

In these positions, you will get to work with cutting edge wetland, coastal, and riverine science and regulatory tools to provide wetland management and shoreline management in western Washington.

You will develop and grow relationships with local governments, Tribes, federal agencies, and other state agencies as you work to implement Washington environmental laws related to shorelines and wetlands.

While many wetlands are no longer protected under federal law, Washington state is committed to managing ALL wetlands and these positions will be directly involved in that work.

These are highly dynamic positions that are both challenging and rewarding. Your ability to build relationships and work with diverse interests to come to agreement on challenging topics is key to success.

If you have experience with wetlands, shoreline management, coastal management, or something related, we encourage you to apply! We will develop an onboarding plan for you with training tailored to your needs to ensure you have the resources needed to be successful in this job.

What you will do :

Independently review development proposals for consistency with state policy, inter-agency mitigation guidance, and applicable laws.

Make recommendations on wetland and / or shoreline permit and / or certification decisions.

• Review wetland delineation reports, wetland ratings and Ordinary High Water Mark determinations, and field verify findings for accuracy.
• Provide technical assistance to local governments in interpreting and implementing their local Shoreline Master Programs and Critical Areas Ordinances.
• Help grow our policies and procedures around managing state wetlands that may have recently lost protection under the federal Clean Water Act.
• Respond to reports of illegal actions in wetlands and shorelines. Negotiate and apply conflict resolution skills to enforce state environmental laws and resolve wetland and / or shoreline violations.
• Coordinate with internal teams including our regional team, Wetlands Technical Advisory Group, and other colleagues to share information, resolve policy questions, and ensure statewide consistency.

Required Qualifications :

Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time.

We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked.

Examples of the proration calculations are :

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months : (30 / 40) x 20 months 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months : (20 / 40) x 12 months 6 months full-time equivalent

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience.

See below for how you may qualify.

A total of nine years of experience and / or education as described below :

• Experience : Involving environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.
• Education : Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position :

Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degree - as listed aboveYears of professional level experience - as listed aboveCombination 1No college credit hours or degree9 years of experienceCombination 230-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits8 years of experienceCombination 360-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree)7 years of experienceCombination 490-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits6 years of experienceCombination 5A Bachelor's Degree 5 years of experienceCombination 6A Master's Degree3 years of experienceCombination 7A Ph.

D.2 years of experience

Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3, at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment :

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Willingness and ability to occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week and travel throughout the Southwest or Northwest Region and less frequently across the state.

Desired Qualifications :

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

Ability to establish and build positive working relationships with external partners around complex and controversial environmental issues.

This includes the ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to understand environmental legislation and regulations by independently reviewing and recommending permit decisions for projects.
• Experience with wetlands, coastal management, or shoreline management.

Note : Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Ecology seeks diverse applicants : We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities.

Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Need an Accommodation in the application and / or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

• Please call : (360) 407-6186 or email : [email protected] and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail [email protected]. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application.

You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply : https : / / ecology.

wa.gov / About-us / Get-to-know-us / Jobs-at-Ecology.

Application Instructions :

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• A list of three professional references.

Note : References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists.

References will not be contacted without the candidate's formal authorization.

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

For Your Privacy :

When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.) :

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc.
• Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.

Additional Application Instructions for Current 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.

Application Attestation :

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.

Other Information :

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Maria Sandercock at : [email protected] Please do not contact Maria to inquire about the status of your application.

To request the full position description : email [email protected]

Why work for Ecology?

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.

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 your health and financial security a priority.

We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life / work balance.

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.

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

Equal Opportunity Employer : 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, military spouses 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.

Note : This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

LI-Hybrid