Regional Shoreline Compliance​/Enforcement Specialist; Environmental Specialist ; Two Positions

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring two Regional Shoreline Compliance/Enforcement Specialists (Environmental Specialist
4)(Two Positions) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program.

Note: This is a temporary position that will end on June 30, 2027. There is potential to extend based on funding availability.

These positions can be based at any of the following duty stations:

• Headquarters Office (HQ) in Lacey, WA.
• Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
• Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.

One position will be based in NWRO. The other position will be based in either in HQ or CRO. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station.

Note: If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County. Salary range: $6068-$8163 per month.

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• This position requires reporting to the office one day every two weeks.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

• Apply by September 15th, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

These Regional Shoreline Compliance/Enforcement Specialist positions provide an opportunity for two senior technical experts to advance Ecology’s mission to protect Washington’s shorelines, wetlands, and riparian areas. In these roles, you will assist with regional implementation of the Shoreline Master Program (SMP) audit and technical assistance effort, support the development of a proactive compliance program, and strengthen state‑local partnerships that ensure shoreline development achieves no net loss of ecological functions.

You will work directly with local governments to evaluate shoreline permits, assess compliance with SMP requirements, improve monitoring systems, and resolve unauthorized activities affecting priority shorelines and riparian environments.

You will serve as regional enforcement specialists, independently developing cases, conducting investigations, preparing formal enforcement documents, and representing Ecology in complex proceedings involving violations of the Shoreline Management Act. Through collaboration with the Shoreline Policy Lead, SMA Compliance Lead, regional counterparts, and the Attorney General’s Office, you will help implement an adaptive feedback loop that improves statewide consistency, reinforces local permitting systems, and strengthens environmental protections.

• Implement the regional SMP audit and technical assistance program, evaluating shoreline permits, monitoring reports, mitigation obligations, and riparian protection measures to ensure consistency with the SMA and local SMPs.
• Provide targeted compliance support to local governments, helping develop monitoring processes, evaluation methods, and systematic approaches to track permit effectiveness and ecological performance.
• Conduct field verification for priority shoreline projects, confirming as-built conditions, validating monitoring findings, documenting ecological outcomes, and providing follow-up direction to permit tees and local partners.
• Lead regional shoreline enforcement activities by identifying unauthorized activities, developing defensible case documentation, conducting site investigations, preparing notices of violation and administrative orders, and coordinating enforcement actions with the SEA Program Enforcement Coordinator and the Attorney General’s Office.
• Represent Ecology as senior technical experts in enforcement hearings, settlement…