Floodplains Design Lead Planner; Environmental Planner

Floodplains by Design Lead Planner (Environmental Planner
4)

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Floodplains by Design Lead Planner (Environmental Planner
4) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program.

• 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 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.

During the period of funding (through 12/31/2027), this is a project position with potential for further extension based on legislative appropriation.

• Apply by June 7, 2026.
• Applications submitted after the date above may be reviewed only if additional qualified applicants are needed.

The 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.

• 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 shared FbD grant program outcomes.
• Develop and refine statewide grant program procedures, tools, and tracking systems; review and approve grant agreements; and support consistent implementation by coaching, advising, and coordinating with Ecology’s grant and financial management staff.
• Represent the FbD grant program on internal and interagency work groups, facilitating information exchange; resolving policy or implementation issues; and ensuring program decisions are communicated effectively 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—such as Steering Group and Action Group meetings—and keep internal staff and external partners informed of FbD grant program plans, schedules, and emerging issues.
• Manage grant program records and information in accordance with agency requirements, and perform additional duties as assigned to support SEA Program priorities.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

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…