Regional Shoreline Compliance/Enforcement Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)(Two Positions)

Washington State Department of Ecology; Washington; Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Flexible schedule

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Ecology is hiring two Regional Shoreline Compliance/Enforcement Specialists (Environmental Specialist 4) to advance the Shoreline Master Program and protect Washington’s shorelines and wetlands. One position will be based in NWRO (Shoreline) and the other in HQ or CRO, with telework options and a requirement to report to the office one day every two weeks.

Responsibilities include evaluating permits, enforcing the SMA, coordinating with local governments and

Qualifications

• Interpret shoreline authorizations, permit conditions, mitigation obligations, and riparian protection requirements for SMA/SMP consistency.
• Assess SMP compliance via document review and site inspections; verify as-built conditions and ecological performance.

Responsibilities

• Implement the regional SMP audit and technical assistance program, evaluating shoreline permits, monitoring reports, mitigation obligations, and riparian protection measures.
• Provide targeted compliance support to local governments, helping develop monitoring processes and evaluation methods.
• Conduct field verification for priority shoreline projects, confirming as-built conditions and documenting ecological outcomes.
• Lead regional shoreline enforcement activities by identifying unauthorized activities and coordinating enforcement actions with SEA Program Enforcement Coordinator and AG's Office.
• Represent Ecology in enforcement hearings and settlements involving complex shoreline violations and environmental resources.
• Serve as project officer for grants/agreements, tracking deliverables and ensuring alignment with SMP goals.
• Collaborate with regional planners, HQ staff, local governments, and tribal, state, and federal partners to ensure consistent SMP implementation.
• Develop statewide shoreline compliance tools, guidance, training, and best practices.

Skills

Permits interpretation

Compliance evaluation

Enforcement case development

Grant and agreement administration

Intergovernmental coordination

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental/natural sciences or related

Job description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring two Regional Shoreline Compliance/Enforcement Specialists (Environmental Specialist 4) (Two Positions) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program.

Note: This is a temporary position that will end on June 30, 2027. T here is potential to extend based on funding availability.

Location Options

• Headquarters Office (HQ) in Lacey, WA .
• Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA .
• Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA .

One position will be based in NWRO. The other position will be based in either in HQ or CRO. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station.

Note: If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County. Salary range: $6068-$8163 per month.

Schedule

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• This position requires reporting to the office one day every two weeks.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline

• Apply by September 15th, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

These Regional Shoreline Compliance/Enforcement Specialist positions provide an opportunity for two senior technical experts to advance Ecology’s mission to protect Washington’s shorelines, wetlands, and riparian areas. In these roles, you will assist with regional implementation of the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) audit and technical assistance effort, support the development of a proactive compliance program, and strengthen state–local partnerships that ensure shoreline development achieves no net loss of ecological functions. You will work directly with local governments to evaluate shoreline permits, assess compliance with SMP requirements, improve monitoring systems, and resolve unauthorized activities affecting priority shorelines and riparian environments.

You will serve as regional enforcement specialists, independently developing cases, conducting investigations, preparing formal enforcement documents, and representing Ecology in complex proceedings involving violations of the Shoreline Management Act. Through collaboration with the Shoreline Policy Lead, SMA Compliance Lead, regional counterparts, and the Attorney General’s Office, you will help implement an adaptive feedback loop that improves statewide consistency, reinforces local permitting systems, and strengthens environmental protections.

What You Will Do

• Implement the regional SMP audit and technical assistance program, evaluating shoreline permits, monitoring reports, mitigation obligations, and riparian protection measures to ensure consistency with the SMA and local SMPs.
• Provide targeted compliance support to local governments, helping develop monitoring processes, evaluation methods, and systematic approaches to track permit effectiveness and ecological performance.
• Conduct field verification for priority shoreline projects, confirming as-built conditions, validating monitoring findings, documenting ecological outcomes, and providing follow-up direction to permittees and local partners.
• Lead regional shoreline enforcement activities by identifying unauthorized activities, developing defensible case documentation, conducting site investigations, preparing notices of violation and administrative orders, and coordinating enforcement actions with the SEA Program Enforcement Coordinator and the Attorney General’s Office.
• Represent Ecology as senior technical experts in enforcement hearings, settlement discussions, and legal proceedings involving complex shoreline violations and high-priority environmental resources.
• Serve as project officers for compliance-related grants and agreements, negotiating work elements, tracking deliverables, and ensuring alignment with shoreline protection and SMP improvement goals.
• Collaborate closely with regional shoreline planners, headquarters staff, local governments, and tribal, state, and federal partners to ensure consistent implementation of shoreline management requirements and improve overall SMP compliance statewide.
• Contribute to development and refinement of statewide shoreline compliance tools, guidance, training, and best practices that support adaptive management and improve long-term ecological outcomes across Washington.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website .

Required Qualifications

• Shoreline and Environmental Permit Review: Ability to interpret and evaluate shoreline authorizations, permit conditions, mitigation obligations, and riparian protection requirements for consistency with the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) and local Shoreline Master Programs (SMPs).
• Compliance Evaluation and Field Verification: Skill in assessing compliance with SMP provisions through document review and site inspections, including verifying as-built conditions, monitoring reports, and ecological performance standards.
• Enforcement Case Development: Experience gathering defensible environmental data, documenting violations, preparing enforcement documents (e.g., notices of violation, administrative orders), and coordinating with enforcement leads and legal partners.
• Grant and Agreement Administration: Ability to serve as a project officer—developing, negotiating, and monitoring grant or agreement terms, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring alignment with program objectives.
• Intergovernmental Coordination: Skill in working effectively with local governments, state and federal partners, tribal entities, and internal regional staff to support consistent and effective implementation of shoreline compliance activities.
• Clear and Professional Communication: Ability to communicate technical, regulatory, or enforcement-related information clearly in writing and verbally to varied audiences, including permittees, local partners, and legal representatives.

Education

Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.

Examples Of How To Qualify

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of regulatory programs and Ecology’s statutory authority under the SMA.
• Knowledge of local government roles and responsibilities under the SMA.
• Demonstrated understanding of environmental legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local level.
• Demonstrated understanding of complex environmental permitting processes.

Supplemental Information

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 .

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.

Need an Accommodation?

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or [e-mail]
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Chad Yunge at [e-mail]
• 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 [e-mail]

About the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program

The mission of the SEA Program is to create community conservation partnerships to protect and restore our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Collective Bargaining

This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

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.