Region Planner (Environmental Planner 5)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Region Planner (Environmental Planner 5) within the Southwest Region Office (SWRO).

Location:

• Southwest Region Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of two days per week is expected in the office, but accommodations will be considered.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by September 09, 2025
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

In this role, you will support Ecology's mission by serving as the principal planner for the Southwest Region, reporting directly to Bobbak Talebi (Soutwest Region Director), while also working closely with the Region Directors and Region Planners across the state to collaboratively meet demands and best align projects with expertise. You will gain valuable experience leading environmental reviews of State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and implementing some of the highest-level projects at the agency.

We are seeking an experienced, curious, and motivated individual who can operate independently, and coordinate and direct interdisciplinary teams effectively. We are seeking a process expert to implement projects with strict procedures, while also having creative thinking and adaptive management skills to successfully navigate projects that require tailored and innovative solutions to environmental problems. 

What you will do:

• As the Region Planner, you will be responsible for assembling, organizing and coordinating multi-program input for major proposals or initiatives dealing with large development projects that require an Environmental Impact Statement, as well as energy, mining, transportation and other complex projects.

  • Coordinate and/or solicit intergovernmental coordination and agreements.
  • Coordinate agency tasks and serve as point of contact on complex projects where Ecology is lead or co-lead agency under SEPA.
  • Coordinate with Federal agencies conducting environmental review under NEPA.
  • Coordinate with other state agencies, counties, cities, federal agencies and tribes on complex projects requiring an Environmental Impact Statement.
  • Coordinate comments that enhance regional considerations during SEPA review, even when Ecology is not lead.
  • Coordinate with regions and headquarters on developing and implementing SEPA guidance for staff.
  • Conduct public engagement when Ecology is the SEPA lead.

• Special Projects: Coordinate and facilitate highly complex, cross-programmatic, cross-office, and multi-agency activities and initiatives.

  • Assemble, organize and provide oversight of multi-disciplinary teams assigned.
  • Lead public and customer service needs on large, controversial projects that span multiple programs and agencies.
  • Support programs with public meetings and outreach related to rulemaking and major decisions.
  • Enhance region specific knowledge, relationships, and environmental expertise.
  • Manage high-profile, complex projects in the regions that often require cross-program coordination and collaboration.
  • Participate on high profile external working groups on behalf of the Region Director.
  • Administer contracts and cost-reimbursement agreements.
  • Coordinate inclusive multi-agency, multi-partner, and tribal engagement.

• Process Enhancements: serve as a region liaison and expert resource for consistent and effective implementation of agency initiatives and priorities (e.g., environmental justice, climate pollution reduction and resilience, and tribal engagement). This includes resolving issues that may drive development of agency policy or are mandated by legislative initiatives.

  • Assemble, organize and provide oversight of multi-disciplinary teams assigned.
  • Develop and implement strategic and operational planning systems of the region and agency.
  • Collaborate across regions to lead policy, process, or procedure improvement projects that support regional efforts.
  • Lead region-based training, guidance, and consistency of agency initiatives.
  • Lead working groups in the region, focused on improving services, integrating environmental justice initiatives and delivery to the communities we serve.

• Facilitate contracts: Work with Ecology fiscal and contracts offices to develop and execute contracts and agreements.

  • Negotiate interagency MOUs/MOAs.
  • Act as a contract manager to hire consultants to provide specific technical support and oversight of contracts and consultant reports.
  • Write Requests for Proposals, contracts, scope of work and Interlocal Agreements to carry out special projects or legislative provisos. 
  • Review productivity reports to ensure scope of work is done on time and on budget.

In this position, you will report directly to the Region Director, but will also rely on partnerships, collaboration, and relationships internally and externally. 

Within the region, you will have the support of, and work collaboratively with: The Southwest Region Management Team (which includes all Section Managers of the environmental programs); staff in the region; Region Director's Assistant; Region Business Administrator; Environmental Reports Tracking System (ERTS)/State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Coordinator; and Public Disclosure and Records Information Management Lead.

Outside of the region, you will be supported by, and work collaboratively with: Ecology Executive Leadership Team; Region Planners, Directors and Field Office Managers in other parts of the state.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Eleven years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related experience.
• Education involving a 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, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 11 years of experience.
• 10 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 9 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 8 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or above.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing what gets you most excited about this position and how it fits into your long-term career goals.
• Resume.

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Bobbak Talebi at Bobbak.Talebi@ecy.wa.gov
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Department of Ecology

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.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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