Salary: $48,156.00 – $75,120.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent 
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Job Number: 2023-SEA4480-05751
Closing: Continuous

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 and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Critical Areas Ordinances Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

In this position you will help and advise local governments as they update their critical areas regulations. You will have the opportunity to work with a range of local planners and other agency staff working to protect wetlands. You will learn the key wetland policies that we help local governments implement, and you’ll learn the latest guidance for implementing best available science in local regulations. You will work with a collaborative group of wetland professionals who value sharing their knowledge and teaching upcoming environmental professionals. You will have the opportunity to influence policy and agency recommendations regarding Ecology’s guidance on wetland management and protection. 

Note: This position offers a career path and on-the-job training. This position allows you to progress through the Environmental Specialist field and achieve the goal class of an Environmental Specialist 4 (ES4). Candidates will be considered at the ES3 and the ES4 levels, depending on their qualifications. For salary levels for each, please see the qualifications section.

The mission of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program is to support community conservation efforts for 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 May 15, 2023. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before May 14, 2023. 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.  

Duties
In this role you will build collaborative relationships with local government planners. Local governments served range from small municipalities to large counties.  You will be able to explain our wetland policies and guidance to local government staff who have varying levels of understanding of wetlands.  You will learn how to advocate for wetland guidance using your persuasive skills to help local planners incorporate the agency’s guidance into their regulations in order to be more protective of wetlands.

• Build collaborative relationships with local government staff and elected officials. 
• Develop, coordinate and facilitate Ecology’s review and comment process on local critical areas ordinances (CAO). 
• Provide guidance to local planners on CAO elements, consistent with Ecology’s management recommendations based on “best available science related to wetlands. 
• Act as the technical liaison with principal planning staff at the Department of Commerce, other state agencies and local planners regarding Ecology’s recommendations for local critical areas ordinances. 
• Facilitate intra-program discussions on CAO wetland policy and guidance as science dictates. 
• Direct and provide guidance to regional staff on program responses and recommendation for local CAOs. 

Qualifications
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.

At the Environmental Specialist 3 (Salary Range 49:  $4,013-$5,399 Monthly) 
A total of Six (6) years of experience and/or education as described below: 

• Professional level Experience in: 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. 

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:                                                                         

OR 
One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2, at the Department of Ecology.

At the Environmental Specialist 4 (goal class) (Salary Range 55: $4,656-$6,260 Monthly) 
A total of Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below: 

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

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:                                                                                      

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

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Must possess a valid driver’s license.

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

• Ability to work effectively with other government officials, the regulated community and other clientele groups on environmental issues or problems. 
• Ability to interpret policy related to wetland management. 
• Ability to write clear and concise policy documents and technical assistance letters. 

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

Other Information
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Lauren Driscoll  at: Lauren.driscoll@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Lauren to inquire about the status of your application. 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

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.  

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. 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4019747/critical-areas-ordinances-specialist-environmental-specialist-4-in-training