Shoreline 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 Shoreline Planner (Environmental Planner 3) position. This position will work out of our Eastern Regional Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.
The Shoreline Planner position serves as a technical liaison to a number of assigned cities and counties in the Eastern Region on shoreline master planning, and provides guidance on permitting which allows for shoreline development while also protecting the shorelines of the state within the parameters of the law.
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, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate complex planning and scientific principles to 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
Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.
Program Mission: The Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program mission is to support community conservation efforts for shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.
Some of the key work activities of the Shoreline Planner position are:
- Serves as an associate-level planner, providing project management, planning, policy, 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 (SMA). The position has a primary focus on assistance to local governments conducting periodic reviews of shoreline master programs.
- Coordinates with program staff and local government personnel to provide appropriate help in SMA-related policy interpretations and training on the SMA and its administrative requirements.
- This position has oversight on the preparation of plans, documents and other material related to SMP and Husseman grants: participates in evaluating and awarding grants, negotiates grant agreements, provides technical assistance on issues related to the work program, monitors and ensures compliance with grant terms and financial conditions.
Interesting aspects about the position:
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 concepts and challenging concepts, and the opportunity to work with a variety of stakeholders. The successful candidate will travel throughout Eastern and Central Washington, and to Ecology's headquarters in Lacey, Washington with occasional overnight stays and sometimes evening meetings. The candidate may be required to testify in the event of an appeal of an adopted Shoreline Master Program.
The location and the team:
The Eastern Regional Office, Shorelands and Environment Assistance Program is located in Spokane Washington and offers flexible work schedules and a dynamic, collaborative group of employees committed to protecting Washington's shorelands, wetlands and floodplains. Just 92 miles from the Canadian border, and stone's throw from Idaho, Spokane is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors, near great mountains, majestic forests and many lakes within an hour's drive. The city is known for its enviable mountain-biking, 125 parks and municipal golf courses, including one that is nationally ranked.
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be October 3, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before October 2, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment 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.
Please note this is a project position that is scheduled to end on June 30, 2023.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
A Master's degree or above with a major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, or public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field (e.g. natural or biological sciences)
AND
Two (2) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, program development, policy planning, or working in an environmental regulatory capacity.
OR
A Bachelor's degree with a major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, or public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field (e.g. natural or biological sciences)
AND
Four (4) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, program development, policy planning, or working in an environmental regulatory capacity.
One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2, provided a degree in one of the fields listed above has been obtained.
Desired Qualifications:
- Shoreline Management Act – experience applying the Washington Shoreline Management Act in both a planning and a permitting context.
- Growth Management Act – experience applying the Washington Growth Management Act in both a planning and a permitting context, in particular experience with Critical Area Ordinances.
- Environmental Science – substantial coursework or professional experience in freshwater ecology or other natural resource or biological science.
- 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:
A valid driver's license.
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
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 Sara Hunt at: sara.hunt@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Sara 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.