Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program Manager (EMS Band 4)

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 100,692 - 173,472; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee &?s

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Tuition Waiver

Long Term Disability

Life Insurance

Deferred Compensation Programs

SmartHealth

11 paid holidays per year

Job summary

Washington Department of Ecology seeks a transformational leader to guide the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program statewide. You will provide executive direction, partner with a dedicated team, and align shorelands, wetlands, and coastal resilience initiatives with statewide priorities.

You will oversee major programs, budgets, and collaborations with Tribes, federal and local partners, ensuring defensible, science-based outcomes and climate preparedness across diverse landscapes.

Qualifications

• Experience with strategic leadership and program management in a large public agency.
• Ability to communicate with Tribal governments and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience navigating environmental laws and regulatory frameworks (SEPA, SMA, CZMA, Sec. 401).
• Experience integrating multiple environmental programs for cross-program alignment.

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program, negotiating scope, priorities, resources, and outcomes.
• Oversee development and implementation of policies, rules, and guidance for shorelands, wetlands, and floodplain management.
• Direct program strategy to align regulatory and conservation priorities with Ecology’s mission.
• Administer state and delegated federal programs including SMA and CZMA; manage budgets and staff.
• Build partnerships with Tribes and other governmental and community stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Budget & Planning

Ethical Leadership

Communication

Program Management

Intergovernmental Coordination

Resource Stewardship

Regulatory Oversight

Environmental Policy

Watershed Integration

Rulemaking & Guidance

Job description

Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program Manager (EMS Band 4) within the Executive Leadership Team.

Location

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of three days per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline

• Apply by August 09, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

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

• Planning, leading, organizing, and directing the statewide Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program by negotiating program scope, priorities, resources, and outcomes.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Managing the program’s operating and capital budgets, personnel, and resources to ensure responsible, transparent, and effective stewardship of public funds.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Reserve, the Northwest Straits Commission, and the Washington Conservation Corps.
• Serving as Washington’s designated Coastal Manager, representing the state before federal agencies and negotiating on matters related to the Coastal Zone Management Act.
• Coordinating Ecology’s disaster response activities related to severe storms, catastrophic floods, wildfires, and other natural hazards through deployment of Washington Conservation Corps resources.
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships with Tribes; federal, state, and local government partners; conservation organizations; environmental justice advocates; regulated entities; and community‑based organizations.
• 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:

• Think strategically, anticipate long‑term needs, and adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges affecting Washington’s shorelands, wetlands, floodplains, and coastal communities.
• 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.
• Navigate complex state and federal environmental laws, policies, and regulatory frameworks and translate them into cohesive, strategic program direction.
• Understand the interconnectedness of the program’s regulatory, scientific, and community‑driven work—and how these efforts impact ecosystems, communities, and statewide resilience.
• Advance equitable, science‑based outcomes that protect Washington’s environment and support community wellbeing.

Key Member of 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.

Qualifications

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.
• Demonstrated professional level management experience, including:
  • 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 development of annual and biennial plans and budgets that articulate future direction.
  • Ethical and Inclusive Leadership – Demonstrated proficiency in modeling high ethical standards and fostering a diverse, equitable, and respectful workplace to support effective public service.
  • Communication and Relationship Building – Proven experience communicating complex information clearly and building strong internal and external partnerships, including engaging with Tribal governments on natural resources management issues.
  • Program and Policy Management – Demonstrated skills in leading and integrating multiple environmental programs to ensure consistent implementation of statewide policies, procedures, and rules.
  • Intergovernmental and Partner Coordination – Proven track record collaborating with federal, state, local, and Tribal partners to negotiate agreements and advance shared environmental goals.
  • Resource and Workforce Stewardship – Demonstrated proficiency in allocating resources, making staffing decisions, and developing the workforce to support effective program delivery.
  • Regulatory and Compliance Oversight – Demonstrated skills in authorizing, issuing, and approving permits, enforcement actions, and legal decisions to ensure compliance with environmental laws.
  • 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.
  • Watershed and Systems Integration – Experience integrating statutory responsibilities across environmental programs to support watershed‑based management and cross‑program alignment.
  • 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 involves a major study in public administration, business administration, environmental management, natural sciences, natural resources, environmental sciences, physical sciences, engineering, planning, or other related field.
• Desired Experience:
  • Involvement in scientific or technical services issues in the environmental, natural resource management, and/or health protection fields.
  • Experience using advanced management, communication, negotiation and consensus building skills with high‑level, influential, elected and appointed officials.
  • Providing leadership to a large staff of over 100 employees.
  • Experience managing diverse fund sources.
  • Member of a senior or executive leadership team.
  • Advanced knowledge of the Puget Sound Partnership.
  • Advanced knowledge of the Clean Water Act.
  • Working knowledge of State Environmental Policy Act.
  • Experience and a successful record of accomplishment working with state agencies, city and county, and federal governments.
  • Experience as a second‑level supervisor.
  • Experience leading or managing in a large agency or organization.
  • Working in or collaborating with state government.
  • Experience working with or applying policy decisions from the Washington Health Disparities Map.

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependents; PERS; Vacation; Sick leave; 11 paid holidays per year; Public Service Loan Forgiveness; Tuition Waiver; Long Term Disability; Life Insurance; Deferred Compensation Programs; DCAP; FSA; Employee Assistance Program; Commute Trip Reduction Incentive; Combined Fund Drive; SmartHealth.

Salary

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.

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.