Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
TheShorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Coastal Resilience Engineer (Environmental Engineer 2 or 3) position. This position may be located in any of the following offices: Headquarters Office inLacey, WA, or our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) inShoreline, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
As an engineer in this role, you'll have the unique opportunity to help shape coastal resilience projects along Washington’s marine shorelines. As Ecology’s Coastal Hazards Organizational Resilience Team (COHORT) engineering lead, you will help evaluate, scope, and advise the design and implementation of innovative nature-based solutions to address complex coastal challenges in vulnerable communities throughout the state. Your work will involve hands-on engagement with local communities, tribes, consultants, and state and federal agencies, providing critical technical assistance and developing innovative strategies to enhance coastal resilience. You’ll conduct site assessments, help design and implement sustainable shoreline projects, and monitor their effectiveness over time, ensuring that lessons learned are applied to future initiatives. This role offers a dynamic blend of technical engineering analysis, project coordination, and collaboration with a diverse group of partners, allowing you to make a tangible impact on the resilience of Washington’s coastal areas.
Please Note: If the final location of this position is determined to be in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA, there will be an additional 5% pay increase due to its location in King County. In this instance the salary range will be $6,072 - $9,472 per month.
Note: This position offers a career path and on-the-job training. This position allows you to progress through the Environmental Engineer field and achieve the goal class of an Environmental Engineer 3 (EE3).
Candidates will be considered at theEE2 and the EE3 levels, depending on their qualifications. For salary levels for each, please see the qualifications section. 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 isto 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 contactperson 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 September 20, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before September 19, 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.
- A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
- 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?
You will join the Coastal Hazards Organizational Resilience Team (COHORT), alongside other members from the Department of Ecology, Washington Sea Grant, Washington Emergency Management Division, and Washington State University Extension. Together, you will provide targeted technical assistance to support vulnerable communities that may not have the capacity to undertake this work on their own. As the team’s lead engineer, you will serve as a liaison between the COHORT and Ecology’s Applied Coastal Research and Engineering Section to ensure that best available science and engineering practices are integrated into project planning and execution. You will support coastal resilience projects throughout their lifecycle, from early-stage site assessment and planning through implementation and monitoring.
What you will do:
- Provide engineering consulting services to Ecology staff and management, local governments, tribes, state and federal agencies, and local communities to advance resiliency projects and packages for state and federal funding proposals.
- Conduct objective vulnerability assessments for supporting the coastal resilience needs of underserved communities. This will help in determining which communities should be prioritized to receive support based on an overlay of hazard assessment and community need for technical support.
- Perform assessments of coastal processes and hazards, determines site-specific or regional drivers of coastal change, and propose strategies to enhance coastal resilience.
- Create monitoring protocols and research approaches for evaluating effectiveness, performance, and ecological impacts of conventional coastal structures, innovative soft-shore and nature-based alternatives, and restoration projects.
- Develop innovative hybrid and nature-based approaches as multi-benefit solutions to enhancing coastal resilience. Participate in site assessment, alternatives analysis, design of on-the-ground projects. Remain involved through implementation and post-construction monitoring to capture project performance and lessons learned and transform that learning into engineering guidance to inform future projects.
- Review and evaluate nature-based approaches to slope stabilization, shoreline restoration, beach nourishment, dike setback, delta channel restoration, coastal access, and other resilience-oriented projects.
- Participate on state and federal Technical Advisory Groups and/or Policy Groups. Provide review of scientific and technical documents in support of shoreline planning, shoreline permitting, engineering design, and other activities requiring engineering expertise. Collaborate with diverse partners working as resiliency practitioners, and in partnership with local communities in the co-development of knowledge and solutions.
Learn more about what it is like to be an Engineer at the Department of Ecology
Qualifications
This is an In-Training position. The goal class for this position is Environmental Engineer 3 (EE3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the EE2 and EE3 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the EE2 level, they will be hired in at that level and placed into a training program to become an EE3 within a specified period of time.
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 Engineer 2 (EE2) level: Pay Range 61 ($5,783 - $7,779 monthly) In-Training
A total of six years of experience and/or education as described below:
- Experience: professional working experience in one of the following engineering fields: coastal, marine, geotechnical, water resource, civil, environmental, or related field
- Education: involving a major study in one of the engineering fields: coastal, marine, geotechnical, water resource, civil, environmental, or related field
All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
Possible Combinations | College credits or degree – as listed above | Years of required experience – as listed above |
Combination 1 | No college credits or degree | 6 years of experience |
Combination 2 | 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits | 5 years of experience |
Combination 3 | 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (AA degree) | 4 years of experience |
Combination 4 | 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits | 3 years of experience |
Combination 5 | An Engineer-in-Training Certificate | 2 years of experience |
Combination 6 | A Bachelor's Degree | 2 years of experience |
Combination 7 | A Master's Degree or above | 1 year of experience |
At the Environmental Engineer 3 (EE3) level: Pay Range 67 ($6,705 - $9,021 monthly) Goal Class
Option 1:
- Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington, AND
- Three (3) years of experience as a working professional in one of the following engineering fields: coastal, marine, geotechnical, water resource, civil, environmental, or related field.
Option 2:
- Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington, AND
- A Master's degree involving a major study in one of the engineering fields: coastal, marine, geotechnical, water resource, civil, environmental, or related field AND
- Two (2) years of experience as a working professional in one of the following engineering fields: coastal, marine, geotechnical, water resource, civil, environmental, or related field.
Option 3:
- Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington, AND
- A Ph.D. involving a major study in one of the engineering fields: coastal, marine, geotechnical, water resource, civil, environmental, or related field AND
- One (1) year of experience as a working professional in one of the following engineering fields: coastal, marine, geotechnical, water resource, civil, environmental, or related field.
NOTE: Requirements for professional registration as an engineer in the state of Washington are eight years of professional experience (which may include up to four years of college-level engineering education) and successful completion of sixteen hours of professional licensing exams. Applicants qualifying through the licensing equivalency option must achieve professional registration as an engineer in the state of Washington within six months of appointment to this class.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- At EE3 level: Must also be registered as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington. If registered in another qualifying state, must acquire Washington professional engineering registration within six months of employment.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Note: Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials. These requirements can be found at the following website: WA State: Board of Registration for Professional Engineers: How to get your license: Professional engineer by comity.
Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
- Experience developing coastal/environmental/civil engineering projects through various phases of design.
- Experience evaluating and/or designing nature-based solutions to mitigate coastal hazards.
- Ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to a diverse range of stakeholders, including local governments, Tribes, state and federal agencies, and the general public.
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 Accommodationin 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.
- A list of three professional references.
Note: References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s formal authorization.
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 Michelle Gostic at:Michelle.Gostic@ecy.wa.gov Please do not contact Michelle 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.govand follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn,Twitter, Facebook,Instagramor our blog.
Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
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. 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.
#LI-Hybrid