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

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington - Department of Ecology is seeking a Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program Manager (EMS Band 4) to guide statewide efforts to protect shorelands, wetlands, coastal areas, and floodplains, while advancing resilience and clean energy initiatives.

This executive role, based in Lacey with telework options, reports to Ecology’s Executive Leadership Team and will require collaboration with Tribes, federal, state, and local partners to deliver science-based planning,

Qualifications

• Experience leading statewide environmental programs.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and guidance.
• Strong management of budgets, personnel, and resources.

Responsibilities

• Lead the statewide Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program, negotiating scope, priorities, resources and outcomes.
• Oversee development and implementation of policies, rules, and guidance for shorelands, wetlands, floodplain and coastal management, and clean energy coordination.
• Align SEA’s strategy with Ecology’s mission and environmental priorities across multiple programs.
• Administer state and delegated federal programs including shoreline management, SEPA, and water quality initiatives.
• Hire, mentor, and develop managers and senior staff in a collaborative, inclusive workplace.
• Ensure high-quality regulatory and scientific outcomes across planning, permitting, and coastal resilience functions.
• Oversee statewide initiatives such as Floodplain by Design and Wetland Mitigation Banking; coordinate with Tribes and partners.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Cross-agency collaboration

Policy development

Budget management

Public speaking/communication

Team leadership

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 include:

• 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 Research 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.

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:

• Represent the Director and agency leadership before federal, state,