Coastal Engineer ( Environmental Engineer 2 or 3)

The Department of Ecology is seeking a Coastal Engineer (Environmental Engineer 2 or 3) in Lacey, WA. This role involves applied coastal research and engineering within the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance program. Responsibilities include addressing coastal erosion, flood hazards, and climate change impacts, designing nature-based projects, and collaborating with communities and Tribes. The position offers a salary range of $6,072 - $9,472 per month, up to 80% telework, and opportunities for career advancement.
About the position

The Coastal Engineer position within the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program at the Department of Ecology offers a unique opportunity to engage in applied coastal research and engineering. This role is integral to the Applied Coastal Research and Engineering Section (ACRE), a collaborative team dedicated to providing scientific foundations for decision-making in shoreline planning, coastal management, engineering design, and project implementation along Washington's marine shorelines. As a Coastal Engineer, you will tackle a variety of critical issues related to coastal community and ecosystem resilience, including chronic coastal erosion, flood hazards, and the impacts of climate change on coastal environments. You will also focus on shoreline and bluff retreat, natural and nature-based multi-benefit coastal projects, and process-based restoration initiatives. The ACRE team conducts cutting-edge research to understand the physical changes occurring along Washington's beaches, bluffs, and nearshore zones. This understanding is crucial for enhancing management, protection, and restoration efforts while mitigating coastal hazards and bolstering community resilience. In this role, you will engage with coastal communities and Tribes to develop and co-produce innovative solutions, including the design of natural and nature-based features. You will also provide engineering guidance to ensure the successful implementation of these designs. This position is located in either the Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA, or the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA. If the position is based in Shoreline, a 5% pay increase will apply due to the location in King County. The salary range for this position is $6,072 - $9,472 per month, depending on qualifications. The role offers a career path with on-the-job training, allowing candidates to progress through the Environmental Engineer field and achieve the goal class of Environmental Engineer 3 (EE3). The Department of Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations, while the SEA program aims to create community conservation partnerships to protect and restore shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains. Additionally, this position allows for up to 80% telework, providing flexibility in work arrangements.

Responsibilities
• Conduct applied coastal research and engineering to support shoreline planning and coastal management.
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• Address issues related to coastal community and ecosystem resilience, including chronic coastal erosion and flood hazards.
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• Evaluate climate change impacts on coastal hazards and develop strategies to mitigate these effects.
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• Design and implement natural and nature-based multi-benefit coastal projects.
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• Collaborate with coastal communities and Tribes to co-produce innovative engineering solutions.
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• Provide engineering guidance for the design and implementation of coastal projects.
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• Perform state-of-the-art research to understand physical changes along Washington's beaches, bluffs, and nearshore zones.
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• Enhance management, protection, and restoration efforts to reduce coastal hazards.

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering or a related field.
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• Experience in coastal engineering, environmental science, or a related discipline.
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• Knowledge of coastal processes, shoreline management, and ecosystem resilience.
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• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including communities and Tribes.
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• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Nice-to-haves
• Master's degree in Environmental Engineering or a related field.
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• Experience with natural and nature-based solutions for coastal management.
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• Familiarity with state and federal environmental regulations.
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• Proficiency in engineering design software and modeling tools.

Benefits
• Up to 80% telework options available.
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• Career path and on-the-job training opportunities.
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• Competitive salary with potential for pay increase based on location.