Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Regional Section Manager (WMS Band 2) position. This position is located in our Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
In this position, you will lead a team of environmental professionals working to implement Washington environmental laws around shoreline management, floodplain management, and wetland protection. You will be part of a dynamic team of Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program management and participate as a full member of the Eastern Region Management Team, working closely with the Regional Director on key initiatives and significant or controversial projects. This involves taking an active role in improving the management of land use and development in and around our state’s waterbodies to allow for economic development while protecting and improving ecological conditions. You will regularly interact with other federal, state, and local agencies, as well as tribes and environmental organizations to build partnerships and lasting relationships and you will be involved in a variety of projects throughout the region, including infrastructure proposals, new development, hazard mitigation, and restoration work.
Ecology is Washington’s principle environmental management agency. Our mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations, and our vision is that our innovative partnerships sustain healthy land, air, and water with a strong economy. Our goals are to support and engage our communities, customers, and employees, reduce, and prepare for climate impacts, prevent, and reduce toxic threats and pollution, and protect and manage our state’s waters.
The Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program is a place where land and water meet. Our mission is to support community conservation efforts for our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains. The Section Manager position, located in the Eastern Region Office (ERO) section of the SEA Program, supports these missions by managing the use of shoreline, wetlands, and floodplain resources. The position furthers this mission by working in partnership with local and tribal governments, state and federal agencies, and others.
Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 60% tele-work schedule and is expected to work in the office two days per week. 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, with an initial screening date of February 10, 2023. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before February 09, 2023. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
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.
- A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
- 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.
Duties
What makes this role unique?
In this role, you will have the unique opportunity to partner and build relationships with a diverse range of individuals, organizations, and groups across the region to further environmental management efforts. This is an exciting role and can be challenging at times, with the need to balance competing interests concerning the management of the state’s waters while holding respect for and incorporating breadth of perspective. It will involve continual process-improvement and workforce management.
What you will do:
- Provide policy guidance to section staff, other internal teams, and external partners on complex issues involving shoreline management, floodplain management, wetland protection, and in-water projects.
- Facilitate collaboration among section staff, other Ecology programs, and external partners to ensure effective implementation of work.
- Review staff recommendations and make decisions on requests for Shoreline Management Act permits, Section 401 Water Quality Certifications, and wetland Administrative Orders. Support staff during permit reviews to ensure defensible decisions and negotiate with project proponents to ensure compliance with state law.
- Review and provide direction on enforcement actions for violations of state authorities including the Shoreline Management Act and Water Pollution Control Act. Enter into negotiations as appropriate to resolve violations.
- Review staff recommendations for Ecology decisions on amendments to local Shoreline Master Programs. Provide input and guidance as necessary to ensure effective policies and regulations in local Shoreline Master Programs.
- Manage section affairs including workloads, schedules, budgets, purchases, and personnel issues.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.
A total of Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:
- Professional level Experience working in an environmental or environmental management field, which includes a minimum of two years of experience supervising staff and/or project management.
- Education: Involving major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, land use, environmental or natural resource planning, environmental engineering, business administration, or closely allied field.
See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:
Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degree – as listed above. Years of professional level experience – as listed above. Combination 1No college credit hours or degree.9 years of experience.Combination 2I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.8 years of experience.Combination 3I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).7 years of experience.Combination 4I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.6 years of experience.Combination 5 A Bachelor’s Degree.5 years of experience.Combination 6 A Master’s Degree.3 years of experience.Combination 7 A Ph.D. 2 years of experience.
Note: A minimum of 2 two years of experience leading people and or projects is required for all education levels. This experience can be concurrent with the above environmental experience.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Must obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license and have the ability to travel alone to multiple work and project sites..
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
- Knowledge of state shorelands, State Environmental Policy Act, floodplain and watershed management, wetlands, water quality laws and water resources laws and issues.
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
Supplemental Information
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: careers@ecy.wa.gov 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 careers@ecy.wa.gov. 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.
- Three professional references.
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.
Per Governor Inslee’s Directive 22-13.1, state employees must be fully vaccinated effective November 4, 2022. Providing proof of being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment and your vaccine status will be verified prior to starting work. Being fully vaccinated means two weeks after you have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed or otherwise authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.
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 this position, please email Joenne McGerr at Joenne.McGerr@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Joenne to inquire about the status of your application.
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov
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.
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.
