Statewide Wetlands Permitting Implementation Lead; Environmental Planner ; Internal

This recruitment is open only to current Department of Ecology employees, including those on temporary or project assignments, and Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Statewide Wetlands Permitting Implementation Lead (Environmental Planner
5)(Internal Only) 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.

• A minimum of two days per month is required in the office.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

• Apply by November 6, 2026

• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

This Statewide Wetlands Permitting Implementation Lead position offers a unique opportunity to guide Ecology’s statewide implementation of wetlands permitting, compliance, and policy development within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program. In this role, you will provide senior-level leadership and technical direction for the State Waters Alteration Permit and related wetlands protection frameworks, ensuring clear, consistent, and effective permitting practices across Washington.

You will serve as Ecology’s principal wetlands permitting and compliance expert, shaping regulatory approaches, advancing statewide consistency, and representing the agency in high-profile policy, legal, and interagency forums.

You will also lead the development of new statewide policies, procedures, guidance, and training that strengthen the clarity and accessibility of wetlands permitting. You will coordinate complex, sensitive permitting and compliance efforts—often involving multiple programs, jurisdictions, and environmental laws—while advising agency leadership on legislative proposals, regulatory issues, and long-range planning needs. As a member of the Wetlands Section leadership team, you will contribute to program-level planning, budget discussions, and strategic initiatives that advance Ecology’s mission and support wetlands protection statewide.

In addition, you will supervise a team of professional staff who manage day-to-day administrative orders, State Waters Alteration permits, and wetlands compliance processes, ensuring consistent application of policy, high-quality technical work, and coordinated service delivery across headquarters and regional offices.

• Provide statewide leadership for Ecology’s Wetlands Permitting and Compliance work, setting strategic direction and ensuring consistent interpretation and application of the State Waters Alteration Permit and related regulatory frameworks.
• Serve as Ecology’s principal planning consultant for wetlands permitting, advising senior management on emerging issues, policy development needs, complex compliance matters, and legislative proposals.
• Lead cross-program, interagency, and governmental coordination on major wetlands permitting and compliance topics, representing Ecology in high-visibility regulatory, policy, and legal discussions.
• Develop statewide guidance, procedures, tools, and training to improve clarity, transparency, and accessibility of wetlands permitting and compliance processes across the agency and among partner organizations.
• Oversee and guide complex or sensitive permitting decisions and compliance actions, including those that involve multiple programs, legal considerations, or major environmental issues.
• Lead the development, analysis, and presentation of legislative proposals, including drafting bill language,…