Floodplains Design Lead Planner; Environmental Planner

Overview

Floodplains by Design Lead Planner (Environmental Planner
4) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program. Location options:
Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. This is a project position funded through 12/31/2027 with potential for extension based on legislative appropriation.

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• Regular attendance at Ecology offices, including the HQ building in Lacey, for team meetings and similar activities is expected.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

The statewide Floodplain Management Team seeks candidates for the Floodplains by Design Lead Planner to lead planning, policy coordination, and day-to-day administration of the FbD grant program. This role involves coordinating with internal and external partners to ensure program effectiveness and alignment with FbD initiative goals.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead Ecology’s engagement on FbD grant program activities with the FbD NGO backbone partner, and coordinate with Tribes, local governments, state and federal agencies, and other partners to support collaborative decision-making, program alignment, and advancement of FbD outcomes.
• Develop and refine statewide grant program procedures, tools, and tracking systems; review and approve grant agreements; support consistent implementation by coaching and coordinating with Ecology’s grant and financial management staff.
• Represent the FbD grant program on internal and interagency work groups; facilitate information exchange; resolve policy or implementation issues; communicate program decisions to partners and leadership.
• Provide authoritative analysis and recommendations on funding strategies, grant program policies, process improvements, and long-range planning needs to inform Ecology leadership and budget development.
• Support and advise broader FbD initiative activities (e.g., Steering Group and Action Group meetings) and keep internal staff and external partners informed of plans and emerging issues.
• Manage grant program records and information in accordance with agency requirements; perform additional duties to support SEA Program priorities.

Note:

For details on experience calculations, please visit the Recruitment website.

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:
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. The experience must include:

• Program & Policy Implementation: ability to carry out complex environmental or planning program responsibilities, align operations with policy direction, and ensure effective delivery.
• Grant Administration & Process Management: updating and applying grant processes; coordinating grant operations; reviewing agreements for accuracy; using tracking tools for reporting and evaluation.
• Partnership Coordination & Engagement: working with Tribes, local governments, agencies, NGOs, and technical partners to advance shared goals.
• Communication & Facilitation: clearly conveying technical information and presenting recommendations.
• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: identifying trends, interpreting data, evaluating options, and planning.
• Coaching & Technical Guidance: mentoring project managers to implement program procedures.

Education: 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 counts for 4 years and a Master’s degree counts for 6 years.

• Special Requirements/Conditions:
  Must possess and maintain a valid driver license.
• Examples Of How To…