Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a
Regional Floodplain Planner (Environmental Planner 2 or 3) position. This position
is located in our
Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in
Shoreline, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
Please Note:This position is located in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA. the above pay includes an additional 5% pay increase due to the position's location in King County.Please Note: This is an In-Training position. The goal class for this position is a Environmental Planner 3 (EP3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Planner 2 (EP2) and (EP3) levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the (EP2) level, then they will be placed into a training program to become an (EP3) within a specified period of time. Washington’s flood plains provide important habitat for our salmon, rich soil for our farms, and beautiful backdrops for our lives. In this role, you will conduct community assistance activities with local governments enrolled in the National Flood Insurance Program and provide technical assistance, grant management and other types of state support for communities developing or implementing Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plans. You will get to work on a variety of flood plain management activities aimed at reducing flooding, restoring habitat and enhancing flood plains for future generations.
The Northwest Region Office (NWRO) Shorelands and Environment Assistance Program is located in Shoreline, Washington and offers flexible work schedules and a dynamic, collaborative group of employees committed to protecting Washington's shorelands, wetlands and flood plains. Located adjacent to the City of Seattle, but also accessible to the Kitsap peninsula, Whidbey Island and the Cascade Mountains. Shoreline offers limitless urban or rural opportunities within close reach. The NRWO is located close to a community college the expansive main campus of the University of Washington, providing both academic and cultural opportunities for you and your family to advance your education, career or feed your natural curiosity.
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 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 November 19, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before November 18, 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.
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 we are looking for:
We are looking for a candidate who has a passion for public service and enjoys working with a variety of people – on our Ecology Flood Team and across the broad network of diverse local flood plain administrators and partners throughout the northwest region. Partners include Tribal sovereigns, local governments, non-profits, state and federal agencies, and others; experience working with these entities is a plus! We are seeking a creative and solution-oriented person who is a self-starter and has a keen interest in innovative riverine and flood plain management strategies.
What you will do:
- Act as state National Flood Insurance Program coordinating officer throughout the northwest region.
- Conduct field assessments of community flood plain management programs and ordinances to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements pursuant to RCW 86.16 and the NFIP regulations.
- Coordinate work on flood plain mapping with local governments.
- Assist Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during Federal Disaster Declarations.
- Assist local governments in developing and implementing innovative and preventative approaches to flood plain management to reduce flood hazards and enhance natural resources.
- Provide expertise and consultation to Ecology staff, state agencies, and local governments to resolve flood plain policy and planning issues and to update planning and regulatory guidance.
- Lead Ecology’s technical assistance effort to local officials in developing scopes of work and approving content of comprehensive flood hazard reduction plans and implementing activities.
- Conduct flood hazard reduction education activities through use of newsletters, the Ecology Flood Internet site, workshops, and other activities.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
The goal class for this position is an Environmental Planner 3 (EP3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for both the EP3 and the EP2 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements at the EP2 level, then they will be hired as an EP2 and will be placed in a training program to become an EP3 within a specified period.
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
At the Environmental Planner 2 level: Salary Range 52 ($4864-$6538 monthly) (In-training)
A total of seven years of experience and/or education as described below: - Experience in:project management, program development, or planning related to environmental, land use, urban, regional, natural resource, landscape architecture, geography, environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
- Education involving a major study in: humanities, business, health and medicine, interdisciplinary studies, public and social services, science-technology-engineering-math, social sciences, land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis.
All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degree - as listed aboveYears of required experience - as listed aboveCombination 1No college credit hours or degree7 years of experienceCombination 230-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits6 years of experienceCombination 360-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree)5 years of experienceCombination 490-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits4 years of experienceCombination 5A Bachelor's Degree3 years of experienceCombination 6A Master’s Degree or above1 year of experience
OR
One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 1 at the Department of Ecology.At the Environmental Planner 3 level: Salary Range 59 ($5776-$7770 monthly) Goal classA total of eight years of experience and/or education as described below: - Experience in: : project management, program development, or planning related to environmental, land use, urban, regional, natural resource, landscape architecture, geography, environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
- Education involving a major study in: humanities, business, health and medicine, interdisciplinary studies, public and social services, science-technology-engineering-math, social sciences, land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis.
All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:
Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degree - as listed aboveYears of required experience - as listed aboveCombination 1No college credit hours or degree8 years of experienceCombination 230-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits7 years of experienceCombination 360-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree)6 years of experienceCombination 490-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits5 years of experienceCombination 5A Bachelor's Degree4 years of experienceCombination 6A Master’s Degree or above2 years of experience
OR
One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2 at the Department of Ecology.Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Must possess and maintain 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.
- Knowledge of planning principles, techniques, current trends, environmental laws, policies and programs concerning all phases of State resource development; governmental administrative structure at local and State levels; environmental, social and other problems affecting development of local and State resources; methods and objectives of urban regional and natural resources planning. Experience in floodplain management, flood hazard reduction, or closely aligned programs.
- General knowledge of technical report writing methods and training methods.
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
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
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.govand 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.
- Three professional references.
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 Joe Burcar at: Joe.Burcar@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Joe 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.
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
