Environmental Review Section Manager (WMS2)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Environmental Review Section Manager (WMS Band 2) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by April 15, 2026.
• 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

This Environmental Review Section Manager position provides a unique opportunity to lead Ecology’s statewide Environmental Review Section within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program. In this role, you will guide a team of professional staff who deliver SEPA policy leadership, environmental review expertise, transportation project coordination, and program-wide compliance and enforcement support. You will serve as a statewide SEPA subject matter expert, shaping policy direction, ensuring consistent and legally defensible environmental review practices, and representing Ecology in high-visibility policy, regulatory, and interagency forums.

You will also oversee major environmental review efforts—including complex interagency transportation projects, federal permitting processes, and programmatic SEPA documents—while developing tools, guidance, and strategies that strengthen statewide SEPA implementation. As a member of the SEA Program Management Team, you will contribute to program-level planning, budget and resource decisions, and strategic initiatives that support Ecology’s mission and advance environmental protection across Washington.

What you will do: 

• Provide statewide leadership for Ecology’s Environmental Review Section, setting strategic direction and ensuring consistent, high-quality SEPA policy, technical assistance, and environmental review services.

• Supervise and mentor nine professional staff responsible for SEPA implementation, transportation project review and permitting, and statewide compliance and enforcement support.

• Represent Ecology in high-visibility policy and regulatory discussions, including SEPA rulemaking, legislative analysis, and interagency coordination.

• Oversee and guide statewide SEPA policy development, including tools, guidance, training, and programmatic environmental review documents such as programmatic EISs.

• Coordinate and manage environmental review and federal permitting (401 certification and CZM consistency) for complex interagency transportation and linear infrastructure projects.

• Develop section goals, operational plans, and work strategies aligned with Ecology and SEA Program priorities.

• Manage the section’s $5.8 million operations budget and interagency agreements totaling $2 million, ensuring resources align with program and statewide priorities.

• Serve as Ecology’s representative on statewide SEPA teams, external forums, and interagency partnerships, fostering strong relationships with local governments, Tribal governments, federal agencies, industry, and community interested parties.

• Oversee SEPA-related compliance and enforcement coordination statewide, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with regulatory requirements.

• Provide clear communication and policy direction to staff, Ecology leadership, and external partners on SEPA implementation, environmental review issues, transportation project coordination, and compliance.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Nine years of combined experience and education:

Experience: professional-level experience in environmental policy, interpreting SEPA and/or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), or natural resource program administration, which includes a minimum of two (2) years supervising professional staff and/or leading complex environmental or regulatory programs. 

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets: 

• Advanced knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations, and enforceable policies and issues related to SEPA and/or NEPA.
• Knowledge of permitting requirements and issues at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate environmental review and regulatory processes with federal, state, local, and Tribal governments, including compliance and enforcement support and interagency project review
• Experience managing section budgets, interagency agreements and grants, including tracking expenditures, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring compliance with funding requirements
• Ability to lead, direct, and develop multidisciplinary professional staff, including assigning work, setting priorities, and evaluating performance

Education: involving major study in an environmental, physical, or natural science, land use, environmental or natural resource planning, environmental engineering, business administration, or closely allied field. 

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of state requirements related to Tribal government-to-government consultation and engagement.
• Knowledge of state requirements for environmental justice considerations.
• Ability to understand and resolve complex planning and policy issues related to the project;
• Knowledge of local government planning processes;
• Strong knowledge of environmental regulation and planning;
• Strong collaboration and facilitation skills;

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 or careers@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 Joenne McGerr  at Joenne.McGerr@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 at careers@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, 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.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.