Regional Floodplain Planner (Environmental Planner 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring three Regional Floodplain Planners (Environmental Planner 3) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program.

Location Options:

These positions may be assigned to one of the following Duty Stations:

• Central Region Office (CRO) – Union Gap, WA
• Eastern Region Office (ERO) – Spokane, WA
• Northwest Region Office (NWRO) – Shoreline, WA
• Bellingham Field Office (BFO) – Bellingham, WA

One position will be located in CRO, one in ERO, and one in either NWRO or BFO. Upon hire, you must live within a reasonable commuting distance of the duty station(s) you select.

Important: Your application will be forwarded only to the hiring manager(s) for the duty station(s) you select as locations you are willing and able to work from

Note on NWRO: Positions based at the Northwest Region Office in King County receive a 5% premium pay (Salary range: $5,949 - $8,003 monthly). This premium applies only if the final duty station is NWRO and the employee resides within commuting distance of that location.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time, with required fieldwork and occasional in-office time.
• Schedules are dependent upon onboarding schedules, position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by April 15, 2026 
• 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 position, you will serve as an associate-level regional floodplain planner, supporting local governments and community partners in your assigned region on floodplain management, flood hazard reduction, and integrated floodplain planning. You will help communities meet state and federal floodplain management requirements, support development of flood hazard reduction plans, manage grants, review local ordinances and planning documents, and provide technical assistance on floodplain management regulations. You will also help advance regional Floodplains by Design (FbD) projects and contribute to statewide floodplain management efforts.

What you will do:

• Provide technical assistance to local governments on floodplain management, regulatory, and NFIP requirements.
 • Review local ordinances, SEPA documents, and planning materials and offer clear, constructive feedback.
• Support development of flood hazard reduction plans and serve as project manager for Flood Control Assistance Account Program (FCAAP) and Floodplains by Design (FbD) grants.
 • Help communities understand FEMA floodplain mapping and flood hazard data.
 • Build strong working relationships with local governments, tribes, state and federal agencies, and community partners.
 • Deliver trainings, workshops, and presentations to support local floodplain management efforts.
 • Represent Ecology in regional and statewide workgroups and support statewide flood response and planning needs.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience: in floodplain management and administering regulation; grant and project management; partnership building and partner engagement; communicating complex technical or policy information; and supporting development of long-term flood hazard reduction strategies.

Experience mentioned above must include demonstrated competencies in the following skill sets---

1. Technical Expertise in Floodplain Management & Regulation: Ability to review local ordinances for compliance, provide technical assistance on Frequently Flooded Areas chapters of Critical Areas Ordinances, and familiarity with the respective roles of FEMA, Ecology and local governments in supporting implementation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

2. Grant & Project Management: Ability in negotiating grant agreement language, tracking timelines, reviewing deliverables, and managing funds for programs like the Flood Control Assistance Account Program (FCAAP) and Floodplains by Design (FbD).

3. Collaborative Partnership Building & Partner Engagement:  Ability to establish and maintain effective, respectful working relationships with diverse partners including local governments, tribes, state and federal agencies, and community interest groups to advance integrated floodplain management goals.

4. Effective Communication & Public Relations: Skilled in conveying complex technical, legal, or policy information clearly to various audiences.

5. Strategic Planning & Problem Solving: Ability to analyze data and environmental policies to support local partners in development of long-term flood hazard reduction strategies applicable to their community.

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.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 8 years of experience.
• 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or higher.
• 1 year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2, at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver license.                                                                                                                  

• Must currently hold a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credential or be able to obtain it within two years of hire and maintain it thereafter.

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.

 
Our Commitment to DEIR

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.

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 your interest in and qualifications for this position
• 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 orcareers@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 Jeremy Sikes at  Jeremy.Sikes@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 Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program 

The mission of the SEA Program is to create community conservation partnerships to protect and restore our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.

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.

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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