Regional Shoreline Planner (Environmental Planner 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Regional Shoreline Planner (Environmental Planner 3)within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program.

Location Options:

This position can be based at either of the following duty stations:

• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.
• Bellingham Field Office in Bellingham, WA.

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

Note: If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County. Salary range: $5,949 - $8,003 monthly.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time, with required fieldwork and occasional in-office time.
• Schedules are dependent upon onboarding schedules, position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by October 10, 2025
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

In this position, you will serve 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. You will assist local government partners with Shoreline Master Program code amendments, review the assigned jurisdiction’s shoreline permits, administer Shoreline Master Program and Coastal Zone Management grants, conduct training, and support Shoreline Management Act compliance. 

What you will do:

• Understand shoreline planning principles and authorities
• Understand environmental legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local level, by independently reviewing, analyzing, developing, and recommending wetland and shoreline management policies, guidelines, and regulations or other government authorities involved in the administration of local, state, or federal regulations.
• Testify at legal proceedings or public meetings or negotiate resolution in the development or implementation of policies and regulations. 
• Review and understand complex shoreline regulatory or technical documents through expert review of materials prepared to support SMP amendments or shoreline permits. 
• Apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills, by independently serving as a shoreline expert in enforcement actions, hearings, and legal proceedings; conduct field investigation and analysis and make recommendations to agency management and other involved in shoreline regulation and management. 

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development. 
• Education involving a major study 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.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 8 years of experience.
• 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or higher.
• 1 year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2, at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Able to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:

• 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) or both. 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.
• 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. 

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

 
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. 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.

Application Process

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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 orcareers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Chad Yunge at  Chad.Yunge@ecy.wa.gov
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team atcareers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program 

The mission of the SEA Program is to create community conservation partnerships to protect and restore our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology 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. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

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 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, 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.

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

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.

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