Coastal, Floodplain, and Shoreline Management Section Manager (WMS2)
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Coastal, Floodplain, and Shoreline Management Section Manager (WMS Band 2) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to manage the Coastal, Floodplain, and Shoreline Management Section at Washington’s Department of Ecology. In this position, you’ll have direct influence on Ecology’s management of state shorelines and floodplains as well as coastal and ocean waters. You’ll manage employees that provide statewide services including policy assistance, regulatory and planning oversight of local governments, financial and technical assistance to local communities. You’ll have an opportunity to develop and lead policy initiatives to improve management and protection of state shoreline, ocean, and floodplain resources and you will represent state interests through membership or participation on the Coastal States Organization as well as regional initiatives.
Agency Mission: The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations.
Program Mission: The mission of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program is to create community conservation partnerships to protect and restore our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.
Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 80% 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 August 1, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before July 31, 2024. 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.
Please Note: We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made.
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.
- 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 and challenging?
In 1976, Washington was the first state to receive federal approval of a Coastal Zone Management Program. In this position, you’ll lead a highly competent and effective team that provides technical and financial assistance to local governments, tribes, and other agencies and organizations. You’ll have the chance to improve outcomes for Washington residents, and further environmental justice initiatives through your decision-making and implementation of initiatives. As a highly cooperative individual, who leads through collaboration and collective wisdom, you’ll provide both strategic and tactical leadership for three SEA Program business areas – Shoreline management, Floodplain Management and Planning and Coastal Zone Management. Your relationships will be grounded in partnership and mutual understanding. You will coordinate and provide support to Agency Regional Offices, coordinate initiative response and assistance with your counterpart in the Applied Coastal Research and Engineering Section, build and sustain productive working relationships with federal and state partner agencies; tribal governments; local government shoreline and floodplain managers; and key stakeholder organizations. You will ensure the team stays current on emerging issues and adapt section activities as needed in response to anticipated impacts from climate change, enhancing the resilience of Washington’s communities and natural resources.
What you will do:
- Manage all aspects of section administration including but not limited to budget, personnel and policy
- Oversee, participates in and supports a team of professionals that
- Assist in Shoreline Management Act policy development, review, and implementation
- Develop Floodplain management policy and assist in review and implementation
- Develop and support coastal zone management, initiatives and implementation
- Co-lead the Floodplains by Design Initiative in a public-private partnership
- Manage the state partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Administer Washington’s Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP)
- Develop coastal resilience programs and policies in collaboration with partner agencies and organizations
- Support ocean resource management through state and regional ocean policy development, implementation of the state’s Marine Spatial Plan, and collaboration with agencies, Tribes, and stakeholders
- Represent state interests through membership or participation on the Coastal States Organization as well as regional initiatives
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, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.
A total of Nine years of experience and/or education as described below:
- Experience: Professional-level working experience in an environmental or environmental management field, which includes a minimum of two years of experience supervising staff and/or project management.
- Education: Involving a major study in an environmental, physical, or natural science, land use, environmental or natural resource planning, environmental engineering, business administration, or closely allied field
All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
Possible Combinations: College credit hours or degree - as listed above: Years of professional level experience - as listed above
Combination 1; No college credit hours or degree; 9 years of experience
Combination 2; 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits; 8 years of experience
Combination 3; 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree); 7 years of experience
Combination 4; 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits; 6 years of experience
Combination 5; A Bachelor's Degree; 5 years of experience
Please Note: A minimum of two years of experience must be supervising staff and/or project management.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Experience supervising staff and have the ability to empower teams.
- Experience developing program and policies.
- Experience working with federal partners and building partnerships.
- Experience with planning, budgeting, and grants.
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
- Understanding of public administration and/or shoreline, coastal, or floodplain management.
- Shoreline, coastal, or floodplain management experience with a local or Tribal government, or federal or state agency.
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.
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.
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 the 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.