We are looking for a transformational leader who is ready to partner with a dedicated team of professionals to guide Washington’s statewide efforts to protect and restore shorelands, wetlands, coastal areas, and floodplains; strengthen community resilience; advance clean energy siting; and support conservation and hazard-mitigation initiatives across diverse landscapes.
In this role, you will serve as the executive leader for the Department of Ecology’s Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program—a statewide program that integrates science, planning, policy, permitting, funding, and community partnerships to protect Washington’s environment and help communities thrive. You will provide strategic leadership and direction for major state and federal programs, oversee complex regulatory and policy work, and cultivate partnerships that support resilient ecosystems, sustainable community development, and climate preparedness.
Responsibilities include:
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Planning, leading, organizing, and directing the statewide Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program by negotiating program scope, priorities, resources, and outcomes.
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Overseeing the development and implementation of policies, rules, and guidance that shape statewide shorelands, wetlands, floodplain management, clean energy coordination, and coastal resilience—affecting all 39 counties and numerous regulated entities.
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Leading the program’s strategic direction to align shorelands protection, watershed-based planning, coastal management, hazard mitigation, clean energy siting, and community conservation initiatives with Ecology’s mission and statewide environmental priorities.
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Administering state and delegated federal programs including the Shoreline Management Act, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Program, and wetland and floodplain management authorities.
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Managing the program’s operating and capital budgets, personnel, and resources to ensure responsible, transparent, and effective stewardship of public funds.
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Hiring, leading, and developing managers, supervisors, and senior policy staff while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing workplace that supports diversity, staff engagement, and professional growth.
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Ensuring high-quality, defensible regulatory and scientific outcomes across program functions including planning, permitting, wetlands and flood hazard review, clean energy coordination, coastal hazard mitigation, and community-based conservation.
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Overseeing major statewide initiatives such as Floodplain by Design; Wetland Mitigation Banking; Shoreline Management Act; critical areas ordinances under the Growth Management Act; and the stewardship, research, education, and community science missions of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Northwest Straits Commission, and the Washington Conservation Corps.
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Serving as Washington’s designated Coastal Manager, representing the state before federal agencies and negotiating on matters related to the Coastal Zone Management Act.
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Coordinating Ecology’s disaster response activities related to severe storms, catastrophic floods, wildfires, and other natural hazards through deployment of Washington Conservation Corps resources.
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Building and maintaining strong partnerships with Tribes; federal, state, and local government partners; conservation organizations; environmental justice advocates; regulated entities; and community-based organizations.
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Integrating SEA’s work across Ecology programs—especially Water Quality, Water Resources, Toxics Cleanup, Climate Pollution Reduction, and Environmental Assessment—to promote watershed-based, cross-program alignment and effective statewide outcomes.
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking an experienced, collaborative leader ready to guide a diverse, multi-disciplinary program with statewide reach. You will need the ability to:
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Think strategically, anticipate long-term needs, and adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting Washington’s shorelands, wetlands, floodplains, and coastal communities.
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Communicate effectively with a wide range of partners—including Tribal governments, local communities, environmental and industry partners, scientists, planners, and elected officials—to support informed decision-making and build durable, trust-based relationships.
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Navigate complex state and federal environmental laws, policies, and regulatory frameworks and translate them into cohesive, strategic program direction.
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Understand the interconnectedness of the program’s regulatory, scientific, and community-driven work—and how these efforts impact ecosystems, communities, and statewide resilience.
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Advance equitable, science-based outcomes that protect Washington’s environment and support community wellbeing.
A Key Member of Ecology’s Executive Leadership Team
This position serves as a key member of the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Executive Leadership Team and plays a critical role in advancing the agency’s mission to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations.
It is essential that this position model the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct in support of efficient, effective, and accountable government.
This is a highly visible executive role responsible for providing statewide leadership on shorelands, wetlands, floodplains, coastal management, hazard mitigation, conservation partnerships, and clean energy project coordination. The position represents Ecology’s environmental, scientific, and policy interests with Tribal governments, environmental justice advocates, local communities, academic institutions, regulated industries, partner agencies, elected officials, and the public.
As a key member of the Department’s Executive Leadership Team, you will:
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Represent the Director and agency leadership before federal, state, local, Tribal, and elected officials; partner agencies; environmental organizations; environmental justice advocates; and the public.
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Serve as a trusted advisor on policy, planning, and regulatory issues affecting shorelands, wetlands, floodplains, coastal areas, and community resilience.
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Provide scientific, policy, and strategic leadership to ensure consistent, equitable, and effective statewide implementation of major environmental laws and programs.
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Collaborate across programs to align statewide planning, permitting, conservation, and hazard-mitigation work with agency and statewide priorities.
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Advocate for a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture that supports innovation, accountability, and staff engagement.
Why Join the Team?
This is an opportunity to shape some of Washington’s most important environmental and community outcomes. In this role, you will guide the policies, partnerships, and investments that protect shorelines and wetlands, support community resilience, advance clean energy, and prepare Washington for the challenges of climate change. You will work with dedicated colleagues, Tribal and community partners, and leaders across all levels of government to deliver lasting, meaningful benefits for people and places statewide.
This position is an Exempt Management Service (EMS) Band IV position. The minimum and maximum salary for EMS Band IV positions is $100,692 - $173,472.
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.
Required Qualifications:
Demonstrated expertise in environmental, physical or natural science, environmental studies, engineering, public administration, planning, public policy, political science, law, or another related qualifying discipline. This expertise can be demonstrated through professional degrees and/or professional and lived experience.
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Demonstrated professional level management experience which includes:
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Strategic Leadership, Budget and Planning – Proven track record setting clear vision and direction to guide managers and staff toward achieving long-term agency- and program goals, including the development of annual and biennial plans and budgets that articulate future direction.
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Ethical and Inclusive Leadership – Demonstrated proficiency in modeling high ethical standards and fostering a diverse, equitable, and respectful workplace to support effective public service.
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Communication and Relationship Building – Proven experience communicating complex information clearly and building strong internal and external partnerships, to include engaging with Tribal governments on natural resources management issues.
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Program and Policy Management – Demonstrated skills in leading and integrating multiple environmental programs to ensure consistent implementation of statewide policies, procedures, and rules.
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Intergovernmental and Partner Coordination – Proven track record collaborating with federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to negotiate agreements and advance shared environmental goals.
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Resource and Workforce Stewardship – Demonstrated proficiency in allocating resources, making staffing decisions, and developing the workforce to support effective program delivery.
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Regulatory and Compliance Oversight – Demonstrated skills in authorizing, issuing, or approving permits, enforcement actions, and legal decisions to ensure compliance with environmental laws.
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Environmental Regulatory Expertise – Proven track record interpreting and applying environmental statutes such as SEPA, SMA, CZMA, and Section 401 to ensure defensible and consistent decisions.
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Watershed and Systems Integration – Experience integrating statutory responsibilities across environmental programs to support watershed-based management and cross-program alignment.
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Rulemaking and Guidance Development – Demonstrated proficiency in developing rules and statewide guidance to achieve consistent, legally sound implementation across diverse jurisdictions.
Desired Qualifications:
Desired Education: involving a major study in public administration, business administration, environmental management, natural sciences, natural resources, environmental sciences, physical sciences, engineering, planning, or other related field.
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Desired Experience:
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Involvement in scientific/technical services issues in the environmental, natural resource management and/or health protection fields.
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Experience using advanced management, communication, negotiation and consensus building skills with high-level, influential, elected and appointed officials.
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Providing leadership to a large staff of over 100 employees.
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Experience managing diverse fund sources.
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Member of a senior or executive leadership team.
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Advanced knowledge of the Puget Sound Partnership.
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Advanced knowledge of the Clean Water Act.
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Working knowledge of State Environmental Policy Act
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Experience and a successful record of accomplishment working with state agencies, city, county and federal governments.
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Experience as a second-level supervisor.
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Experience leading or managing in a large agency or organization.
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Working in or collaborating with state government.
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Experience working with or applying policy decisions from the Washington Health Disparities Map.
If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.
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.
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.
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:
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:
Questions?
For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact
Jake Barkman at
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
About the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program
The mission of the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program is to foster conservation and restoration of shorelines, wetlands, and floodplains with special emphasis on community-based conservation. This position is responsible for administering and managing state and delegated federal programs, including the state Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Act, Growth Management Act, Wetland Protection and the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act, Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and management of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Reserve.
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 Incentive, 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.
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