Senior Shoreline Vulnerability Specialist, State of Washington Department of Ecology

Senior Shoreline Vulnerability Specialist, State of Washington Department of Ecology

Organization/Grantor: State of Washington Department of Ecology

Position/Title/Fund: Senior Shoreline Vulnerability Specialist (Environmental Specialist
5)

Type/Term: Full-time, term-funded through April 30, 2030

Location: Lacey, Washington (Flexible/Hybrid)

Salary: $75,108‑100,980 annually

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Shoreline Vulnerability Specialist (Environmental Specialist
5) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program. This is a project position that is funded until April 30, 2030.

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.

In this role, you will serve as the program expert on shoreline vulnerability and climate‑related shoreline hazards under the direction of the Coastal, Floodplains and Shoreline Management Section Manager. You will provide technical leadership and guidance on shoreline hazard and vulnerability assessments, including developing and applying analytical tools, data, and methodologies. You will support the integration of sea‑level rise and climate vulnerability information into shoreline master programs, policies, and regulations, and provide technical assistance to SEA Program staff and local government partners.

You will collaborate with internal and external partners to advance climate adaptation planning and improve shoreline hazard data, helping communities proactively build resilience to climate impacts.

• Serve as a program expert on shoreline vulnerability assessment study design, application, and interpretation.
• Lead initiatives to identify and acquire data and information needed to integrate fluvial hazard models with coastal flood models and land use data to conduct shoreline vulnerability assessments.
• Work with national scientific experts to modify or develop tools for shoreline hazard, sensitivity and vulnerability spatial mapping.
• Develop and implement internal and external guidance and trainings to local governments, consultants, contractors, and partner agencies.
• Participate on advisory and technical groups, interagency work groups, or other forums related to identify climate change risks to shorelines, community adaptation strategies and shoreline master program amendments.

Ten (10) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.
• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or another allied field.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license.

• Technical Environmental/Climate Analysis: experience or skills in evaluating shoreline or climate‑related hazards, conducting environmental or spatial analysis, or working with scientific data and models to assess exposure, sensitivity, or vulnerability.
• Critical Thinking & Data Interpretation: ability to review information, analyze data, draw logical conclusions, and make informed recommendations.
• Technical Assistance & Expert Guidance: experience providing scientific or technical advice to partners (e.g., local governments, Tribes, internal staff) or participating on technical/advisory groups.
• Communication & Training: ability to present technical concepts clearly, develop training materials, or…