Floodplains by Design Lead Planner (Environmental Planner 4)

Floodplains By Design Lead Planner Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen The Department of Ecology is hiring a Floodplains by Design Lead Planner (Environmental Planner 4) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program. 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. Regular attendance at an Ecology office, including time spent at the HQ building in Lacey, for team meetings and similar activities is expected. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Application Timeline: Apply by June 7, 2026. Applications submitted after the date above may be reviewed only if additional qualified applicants are needed. This is a project position with funding through 12/31/2027, with the potential for further extension based on legislative appropriation. Duties: Ecology's statewide Floodplain Management Team is growing, and we are excited to invite candidates to apply for the new Floodplains by Design Lead Planner position. This is a unique opportunity to lead planning, policy coordination, and day-to-day administration of our award winning Floodplains by Design (FbD) grant program, a major component of the umbrella FbD initiative that is shaping the future direction of integrated floodplain management in Washington. You will have significant internal responsibilities for FbD grant program operations and for ensuring we deliver outstanding service to our partners and customers. You will work at the intersection of state, Tribal, federal, local, and nongovernmental partners, coordinating closely with Ecology's nongovernmental (NGO) backbone partner, Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), to ensure the FbD grant program remains effective, responsive, and aligned with the goals of the FbD initiative. Within Ecology, you will provide authoritative recommendations on FbD grant program operations, including developing tools and processes that support program consistency, adaptive management, and informed executive decision-making. You will help guide the work of regional staff who serve as project managers for individual FbD grants; track and report on FbD grant program spending and accomplishments; and work with senior staff and leaders to develop and advance funding strategies and major policy initiatives. Qualifications: For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website. Required Qualifications: Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below: Experience: Professional experience in managing multi-partner environmental or community-based grant programs; coordinating with diverse governmental and nongovernmental partners; developing and implementing program processes; leading policy-related planning efforts; and preparing or reviewing program-related recommendations, analyses, or documentation. Experience described above must include demonstrated ability in the following skill sets: Program & Policy Implementation Ability to carry out complex environmental or planning program responsibilities, align operations with defined policy direction, and ensure consistent and effective program delivery. Grant Administration & Process Management Skill in updating, developing, and applying established grant program processes and procedures; coordinating grant program operations; reviewing agreements for accuracy and consistency; and using tracking tools to support reporting, evaluation, and adaptive program management. Partnership Coordination & Partner Engagement Ability to work collaboratively and constructively with Tribes, local governments, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and technical partners to exchange information; coordinate activities and assist with developing, implementing, and evaluating progress made towards achieving shared planning and/or policy goals. Communication & Facilitation Skill in clearly conveying technical information, facilitating discussions to gather input or guide decisions, and presenting well-reasoned recommendations verbally and in writing. Analytical & Strategic Thinking Ability to identify trends, interpret data or policy information, evaluate options, and recommend approaches for program improvements, statewide consistency, or long-range planning. Coaching & Technical Guidance Skill in providing direction, mentoring, or process guidance to project managers or planning staff to support consistent implementation of program procedures and improve overall program effectiveness. Education: Involving a major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, hazard mitigation, or closely related field A Bachelor's degree in the above fields counts for 4 years and a Master's degree in the above fields counts for 6 years. 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 or higher. Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Must possess and maintain a valid driver license. Desired Qualifications: Experience working on integrated floodplain management, watershed restoration, and/or flood hazard mitigation programs or projects. Experience administering an entire grant program (as distinguished from managing individual grants). Experience leading or supporting process improvement initiatives or similar efforts. Ability to think strategically, maintain strong attention to detail, and work collaboratively. Ability to navigate comfortably between routine administrative tasks and creative, visioning-oriented work. GovernmentJobs.com