Assistant Environmental Permitting Supervisor: Wetland Specialist (EP4) - Permanent - 2026-07307

Working Title- Assistant Environmental Permitting Supervisor: Wetland Specialist (AEPS)

Classification- Environmental Planner 4

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Capital & Asset Management Program (CAMP)

Duty Station- *Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

*While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption – HPA compliance – Photo Credit: WDFW

In this key role, you will lead significant and high-profile initiatives related to land use planning and capital projects across the state, acting as the primary wetland liaison to federal, state, local, and tribal partners.

As a senior planner, you’ll coordinate strategic planning and policy implementation, provide internal leadership across multidisciplinary teams, and supervise a team of wetland specialists.

Your work will directly support environmental permitting efforts by delivering the wetland science and regulatory support that protect fish and wildlife habitats, align with agency goals, and foster collaboration across a wide network of stakeholders.

WHAT TO EXPECT -

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position:

Statewide Project Environmental Permit Review and Requirements.

• Assist Senior and Executive Management in identifying new policies and regulations, new direction of existing policies and regulations, and significant initiatives that could most affect liaison to state, local, federal, and other external entities, as well as work areas that would be improved by new policy, new direction, or initiative development.
• Determine wetland and mitigation requirements for CAMP-assigned projects. Determine scheduling and budget of project goals and needs. Prepare, submit, and review wetland delineation and mitigation submittal packages, including supporting environmental permit documents. Review projects for environmental and Endangered Species Act impacts. 
• Maintain environmental law, regulation, and environmental permit compliance through oversight, facilitation, and compliance with environmental elements of project implementation, including environmental permitting requirements, special evaluations, and Best Management Practices (BMP) usage.
• Work within the Mid-Management Team (MMT) or other identified entity to develop and maintain a consistent state-wide approach to new policies, new directions on existing policies, and significant initiatives.
• Serve as Liaison and Regulation Policy Lead for projects/issues/processes that are impacted by new or redirected regulation policies or significant initiatives.
• Conduct strategic analyses concerning agency or externally developed regulation policies, redirected policies, or significant initiatives.
• Communicate and/or present strategic analysis information to the Environmental Permitting Manager for coordination with Senior Management or Executive Management and assist in development of strategic and tactical steps to accomplish agency and partner goals that are consistent with the Agency mission.
• Work with the Environmental Permitting Manager, Project teams, Program teams, and supervised staff to implement strategic direction by identifying specific actions and using a continuous strategic approach, such as the utilization of Plan, Do, Check, Adjust (PDCA) methodology, to ensure the Agency is appropriately responsive to changes in the social, political, or biological environment.
• As Liaison, assist the Environmental Permitting Manager to actively engage local, state, or federal agencies and other external entities important to the success of the identified strategic direction.
• Provide senior-level technical expertise in wetland science and management, including ecology, delineation and rating, regulation, mitigation, enhancement, and restoration.

Supervision.

• Provides guidance, direction and information to staff regarding Program/Agency policies, procedures, and directions in a clear and timely manner.
• Works with staff to develop strategic approach to accomplishing goals, addressing issues and successfully implementing assignments. Conducts regular (at least monthly) one-on-one sessions with staff to communicate, track, and develop strategies to address issues and accomplish assignments.
• In collaboration with staff, develops and provides training for professional staff.
• Provides mentoring to staff to promote and support professional development.
• Works with individual staff to provide guidance and direction regarding workload control and prioritization.
• Provides performance management to staff.
• Land Use Planning: Directs, guides, and provides information to staff for successful engagement in land use planning and development.
• Major Projects: Directs, guides, and provides information to staff for successful engagement in Major Project activities.

Program Strategic Planning.

• Position actively engages to assist Senior and Executive Management in Program or Agency level short-term and long-term strategic planning.
• Position works with Environmental Permitting Manager and other Program staff to develop and bring an environmental permitting perspective to Program/Agency strategic planning.
• The AEPS, with Environmental Permitting Manager, is responsible for communicating and encouraging support for the strategic direction identified by the Program and/or Agency.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Duties are performed in an office setting, construction sites, in and around water including swift water, in remote regions with limited to no cell phone coverage, and in areas where hunters may be present. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Climb ladders and work from boats and elevated locations. Fieldwork also requires knowledge of the operation of a GPS, clinometer, and digital camera. Physical capacity to work in remote forested and aquatic environments, conducting fish surveys and other related tasks. These activities can occasionally consist of days in excess of 8 hours, for several days in a row.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Workload may require additional hours, and the incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs.

Travel requirements: Travel will be required throughout the state to attend training, meetings, and conferences. Travel for fieldwork will also be required. Periods of overnight travel may be required, and work hours may exceed the standard 8 am to 5 pm workday. Travel may comprise up to 20%.

Customer Interactions: Agency staff, other government agencies, tribal, private stakeholders, and general public.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

A Master's degree or above in physical sciences, natural sciences, environmental sciences, environmental planning, natural resource planning or management, or other closely related fields.

And

Three (3) years of professional experience in environmental science, natural resource planning or management, wetland delineation and mitigation, physical science, natural science, and/or natural resource-related program development.

Option 2:

A Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences, natural sciences, environmental sciences, environmental planning, natural resource planning or management, or other closely related fields.

And

Five (5) years of professional experience in environmental science, natural resource planning or management, wetland delineation and mitigation, physical science, natural science, and/or natural resource-related program development.

Option 3:

An Associate’s degree in physical sciences, natural sciences, environmental sciences, environmental planning, natural resource planning or management, or other closely related fields.

And

Seven (7) years of professional experience in environmental science, natural resource planning or management, wetland delineation and mitigation, physical science, natural science, and/or natural resource-related program development.

For ALL of the above:

Valid driver’s license.

Three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• A Professional Wetland Scientists (PWS) certification
• Be proficient with the Washington Tool for Online Rating (WATOR) put out by the Washington State Department of Ecology
• Utilizing ArcGIS to analyze and map spatial data
• Strong leadership experience
• Successfully developing and delivering educational content to diverse audiences, demonstrating effective teaching and communication skills.
• Building and maintaining productive partnerships with tribal governments, the public, and local, state, and federal agencies to support collaborative environmental initiatives.
• Applying knowledge of Pacific Northwest ecological processes to inform habitat assessments, conservation planning, and regulatory reviews.
• Interpreting and applying environmental regulations, including the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Shoreline Management Act (SMA), in support of environmental permitting and land use decisions.
• Managing competing priorities and meeting project deadlines through strong organizational and time management skills.
• Reviewing and monitoring environmental permits to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, supporting environmentally responsible development and resource protection.
• Proven success in delivering clear, concise, and effective verbal and written communications to diverse internal and external audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, foster collaboration, and maintain positive working relationships across teams and stakeholder groups.
• Skilled at translating complex or sensitive topics into accessible language while maintaining a respectful and non-confrontational tone.

Your application must include the following:

• A COMPLETED online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.
• Please note: Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to complete a job-related writing exercise. This exercise will involve reviewing provided field notes and data sheets and then providing a brief scientific writing sample describing site conditions and wetland characteristics. 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union - WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov.
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran).
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.   Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife 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, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-07307.

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