Associate Environmental Analyst (ECA)

Full Job Description

The Land Use and Engineering Services Division of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) helps people build a safe, livable, and inclusive Seattle.

We do this by providing public information on regulations and permitting, and reviewing proposals for compliance with land use, environmental, and building codes.

The Division is fast-paced, production-focused, flexible, and promotes a supportive and collaborative work environment.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Environmental Analyst to ensure we continue to serve our customers effectively, timely, and professionally. This position will primarily review development projects for compliance with the Seattle Shoreline Master Program, Seattle Environmentally Critical Areas (ECA) code related to wetland, wildlife, and riparian ECAs including revegetation requirements, and support strategies to ensure long term retention and viability of required mitigation related to trees and vegetation. Staff on this team also offer land use information to the public across many channels, including a consistent presence on our virtual counter service, and provide technical support services to other department staff and City agencies.

Requirements

This role is a technical expert on a team of reviewers who provide input on complex land use decisions. In this position, you will:

• Act as a technical reviewer to analyze whether project proposals meet standards within the City’s Environmental Critical Areas Code (ECA) and Shoreline Master Program (SMP).
• Review and assess ECA and shoreline exemption requests
• Identify mitigation sequencing steps in project proposals to avoid, minimize, reduce, rectify and compensate for development impacts on ecological functions and resources
• Review and analyze critical areas reports, including mitigation measures or plans submitted with development permit applications to address environmental impacts of proposed and coordinate with environmental specialists and/or consultants
• Consult with state and federal agencies and Tribes as needed
• Coordinate across agencies and City departments to facilitate technical project review.
• Provide information to the public, department staff, City departments, and other agencies about Seattle's Shoreline and ECA codes
• Identify and recommend solutions to applicants and land use staff on environmental and land use policies and regulatory issues
• Provide environmental policy and technical expertise to land use staff for consideration in making complex land use decisions
• Interpret and apply knowledge of municipal codes and policies governing land use and environmentally critical areas protection
• Prepare public information materials including tips, website content, and written responses to questions submitted to the department related to shoreline and ECA regulations
• Review and assist with the development or updating of internal business practices related to permit review, public outreach, and intra- and interdepartmental coordination
• Identify the need for new code development, revisions or policy changes
• Recommend course of actions on code and policy changes
• Review and assist with the development or updating of codes that may be conflicting or vague
• Coordinate solutions to recurrent land use policy and procedural issues
• Perform policy and regulatory program development analysis on specific shoreline and environmental critical issues, including a tree and vegetation monitoring program.

You will feel prepared to take on this role if you have experience in:

• Demonstrated experience with the review of development applications for consistency with state or local Shoreline or Environmentally Critical Areas regulations
• Demonstrated experience with the interpretation of state or local environmental regulations (Shoreline or Environmentally Critical Areas)
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical and detailed information related to shoreline and environmental regulations, often in complex and contentious scenarios
• Demonstrated experience with the development and/or implementation of a natural resources monitoring program
• Strong familiarity with state enacting legislation related to local Shoreline and Environmentally Critical Areas regulations (Shoreline Management Act and Growth Management Act)
• Strong familiarity with the concept of mitigation sequencing and how it is applied to development proposals
• Knowledge of ecological function provided by native plants as part of a mitigation plan
• Ability to read landscape/planting plans, detailed construction documents, technical reports and legal documents
• Able to meet deadlines and juggle competing priorities
• Experience with SDCI permitting processes and systems, or similar experience with another jurisdiction

• Experience editing feature classes using ESRI's ArcGIS Pro software

• Able to apply code in a consistent and predictable manner to a variety of development proposals
• Strong customer service skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proactive and solution-oriented

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in natural or physical sciences, environmental sciences, planning (with emphasis on environmental issues), public administration/policy (with emphasis on natural resources), or related field and a minimum of three years of experience in environmental research, environmental law, impact analysis, environmental compliance, toxic substance management, or a related field (Other combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Occasionally staff may work with customers who are argumentative or upset.
• This work requires visits to active or proposed construction sites.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Current State of Washington driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Additional Information

To be considered for this position, please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job advertisement
• A current resume outlining your professional work experience

This position would be required to meet current in-office requirements outlined by SDCI and the Mayor’s Office.

The full salary range for this position is $50.98 - $59.31 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $50.98 per hour. Current City employees starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections is a proud participant in the Race and Social Justice Initiative, a citywide effort to realize the vision of racial equity.

We require a strong commitment to customer service and a demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences; people of color, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans