WCC Administrative Operations Manager (Natural Resource Specialist 5)

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 69,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework options

Flexible schedule

Leadership opportunity

State benefits

Job summary

Washington State Department of Ecology is seeking an experienced WCC Administrative Operations Manager to lead administrative and communications functions for the SEA program. You will oversee grant compliance, internal communications, and statewide AmeriCorps operations for 350+ members and staff.

You will also guide federal grant submissions, reporting, and program evaluation design, while developing internal procedures and tools to improve accuracy and transparency across the WCC Section.

Qualifications

• Eight years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position with focus on AmeriCorps grant language and requirements.
• Experience interpreting federal rules, preparing complex federal grant submissions, and designing evaluation plans.
• Ability to direct professional staff, coach, and manage performance to support compliance.
• Experience coordinating enrollment, documentation, and collaboration with finance and HR units.

Responsibilities

• Lead agency-wide compliance for a $2 million AmeriCorps grant and ensure timely reports and audits.
• Prepare Ecology’s annual AmeriCorps grant application with strategic plans and performance measures.
• Represent Ecology in interactions with AmeriCorps staff, Serve Washington, and external funders.
• Design and implement program evaluation plans using standards like BACI.
• Oversee section policies, procedures, and internal communications for operational consistency.

Skills

Federal Regulatory Compliance

Grant Application & Management

Program Evaluation

Policy Development

Supervision

Administrative Coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural resources or related field

Job description

Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a WCC Administrative Operations Manager (Natural Resource Specialist 5) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program.

Note: This is a temporary position that will end on April 30, 2027. This position has the potential to be extended.

This position can be based at any of the following duty stations:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.

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: $6224 - $8372 monthly.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by August 24, 2026.
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

This WCC Administrative Operations Manager position provides a unique opportunity to lead the Washington Conservation Corps’ administrative and communications functions within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program. In this role, you will guide a team of professional staff who deliver grant compliance oversight, internal communications support, administrative coordination, and evaluation leadership for a statewide AmeriCorps program serving more than 350 members and staff. You will serve as the agency’s AmeriCorps subject matter expert, ensuring continuous federal compliance, shaping internal policy direction, strengthening operational systems, and representing Ecology in high‑visibility interactions with state and federal funders.

You will also oversee major federal grant activities—including competitive AmeriCorps grant submission, quarterly and semi‑annual federal reporting, compliance monitoring, and program evaluation design—while developing internal procedures, tools, and communication strategies that improve accuracy, transparency, and operational consistency across the WCC Section. As a member of the WCC leadership team, you will contribute to section‑wide planning, policy updates, operational improvements, and strategic initiatives that support Ecology’s mission and advance the effectiveness of Washington’s largest environmental service program.

What you will do:

• Lead agencywide compliance for a $2 million AmeriCorps grant, ensuring accurate interpretation of federal rules, adherence to regulatory terms and conditions, and timely completion of complex grant reports and audits.
• Prepare Ecology’s highly competitive annual AmeriCorps grant application, developing strategic plans, logic models, performance measures, and multi‑section narrative documents.
• Represent Ecology in interactions with Serve Washington (OFM), AmeriCorps federal staff, statewide partners, and external oversight entities, serving as the agency’s recognized expert on AmeriCorps compliance requirements.
• Design, oversee, and submit program evaluation plans using technical methodologies such as Before‑After Control Impact (BACI), ensuring alignment with federal evaluation standards.
• Lead development, implementation, and annual updates of section policies, procedures, and internal communications to enhance operational consistency and transparency for crews, supervisors, and administrative staff.
• Supervise a team of five professional administrative and communications staff, providing leadership, coaching, mentoring, work direction, performance evaluation, and ongoing process improvement support.
• Guide internal and external communications on behalf of WCC leadership, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with Ecology and AmeriCorps expectations.
• Conduct workshops and provide technical assistance to WCC staff statewide to improve accuracy in federal reporting, documentation practices, and compliance processes.
• Oversee administrative workflows related to member enrollment, documentation, fiscal compliance, and coordination with Ecology’s finance and HR units.
• Coordinate and facilitate annual WCC all‑staff meetings, internal trainings, and section manual updates, ensuring cohesive messaging and alignment with program goals.
• Serve as a key contributor to WCC leadership team planning, decision‑making, and operational strategy supporting program effectiveness and statewide environmental restoration outcomes.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Eight years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Federal Regulatory Compliance – Ability to interpret federal rules, apply regulatory guidance accurately, and maintain continuous compliance through audits, monitoring activities, and required reporting, with a specific focus on AmeriCorps grant language and requirements.
• Grant Application and Management – Skill in preparing complex federal grant submissions, producing structured narratives, meeting reporting cycles, and ensuring alignment with program requirements and funding terms.
• Program Evaluation – Ability to design and carry out evaluation plans, assess output and outcome data, and apply technical methodologies to measure program performance effectively.
• Policy Development – Experience creating, updating, and implementing internal procedures to ensure consistent, accurate operations that meet state and federal expectations.
• Supervision – Ability to direct professional staff, provide coaching and mentoring, establish work standards, evaluate performance, support staff development, and guide process improvements.
• Administrative Coordination – Experience overseeing administrative workflows, ensuring accurate enrollment and documentation practices, and working effectively with finance, human resources, and other internal units to support compliance.

Education: involving a major study in natural resources or a natural resource specialty area, or closely allied field.

A Bachelor’s degree substitutes for 4 years of experience.

A Master’s degree substitutes for 6 years of experience.

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Special Requirements & Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Must successfully complete a background check, including Washington State criminal history, state motor vehicle records, Federal Sex Offender Registry, and FBI fingerprinting. Criminal history checks cover Washington State; if the candidate previously lived out of state, an additional check will be completed in that state. Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate but will be evaluated to determine their suitability for the position.

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to respond to difficult or sensitive interpersonal situations in a manner that prevents/minimizes conflict and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers.
• Knowledge of governmental planning and operational processes.
• Experience interpreting and applying State and Federal regulations.

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 Josiah Downey 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

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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