The Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Senior Shoreline Scientist (Environmental Specialist 5) position. This position can be located in any one of the following offices:

Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.
Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
Eastern Region Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.

Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

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 $6,195 - $8,328 per month.

In this position, you will report to the Coastal/Shorelands Section Manager within the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program of the Department of Ecology. You will serve as the program’s senior expert in shoreline science and will coordinate and collaborate across the program.

You will provide advice to program management and technical staff on critical and complex scientific and technical issues relating to shoreline management, such as no net loss of ecosystem functions, direct and cumulative impacts from development on the environment, and scientific methods that support planning, policy, and guidance. You will develop and support the analytical tools needed to better manage shoreline resources and provide information on the best available science to be used in protecting shoreline ecologic functions.

Agency Mission: The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s land air and water for current and future generations.

Program Mission: The mission of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program is to work in partnership with communities to support healthy watersheds and promote statewide environmental interests.

The Coastal/Shorelands Section in the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program works to ensure that the shorelines, floodplains, and ocean waters are protected, restored, and managed consistent with state and local laws. Key priorities for the agency and program include climate resilience, equity, diversity, inclusion, and environmental justice.

Telework 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 is subject to change.

Application Timeline: The positions will remain open until filled, we will review applications on July 24, 2023. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before July 23, 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.

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?

In this role, you will have a unique opportunity to manage projects, provide leadership, and develop guidance on critical and complex scientific and technical issues relating to shoreline management. You will serve as an agency expert for shoreline ecology and science, and you will be responsible for developing analytical tools for managing ecological resources, providing technical assistance, serving as an expert science advisor, conducting trainings, and making public presentations.

What you will do:

Serve as a program expert on shoreline science topics, study design, and quality assurance.
Lead initiatives to modify existing and develop new ecological assessment methods that will help the Department, the regulated community, and local government partners achieve no net loss of shoreline ecological functions.
Perform grant writing to raise funds for shoreline program development and implementation.
Develop and implement internal and external guidance and trainings for local governments, consultants, contractors, and partner agencies.
Participate on advisory and technical groups, interagency work groups, or other forums related to science and the integration of science into shoreline management policy and regulations.
Provide technical support to the Department during rulemaking and the development of guidance.
Review and provide direction on quality assurance project plans in collaboration with the Ecology QA team.

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.

A total of Ten (10) 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:

Possible Combinations.	College credit hours or degree - as described above.	Years of professional level experience - as described above.
Combination 1	No college credit hours or degree	10 years of experience.
Combination 2	I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.	9 years of experience.
Combination 3	I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).	8 years of experience.
Combination 4	I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.	7 years of experience.
Combination 5	A Bachelor's Degree.	6 years of experience.
Combination 6	A Master's Degree.	4 years of experience.
Combination 7	A Ph.D.	3 years of experience.

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4, at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Obtain 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.

Education: Coursework leading to a Master’s degree or higher in an area of study related to fluvial geomorphology, limnology, river processes, marine systems, or river restoration.
Knowledge of statistical theory and techniques; logic and grammar, basic methods of problem solving; research methods; the body of knowledge in shoreline ecology; agency's purposes; objectives of the shoreline management programs and activities.
Ability to reason logically, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations; gather and analyze data; participate in conferences and interviews; speak and write effectively; establish and maintain effective working relationships.

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?

If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or .
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.

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:

To request the full position description: email

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 . Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or .

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.

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