Coastal Scientist (Environmental Specialist 2) (Internal Only)

Full Job Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

This recruitment is open only to current Department of Ecology employees, including those on temporary or project assignments, and Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members.

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Coastal Scientist (Environmental Specialist 2) (Internal Only) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance Program.

This is a project position that is funded until June 30, 2027.

Location:

• Headquarters 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.
• The incumbent must report to Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA once a week when they're not occupied by fieldwork
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by January 27th, 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.

Requirements

As part of the Applied Coastal Research and Engineering (ACRE) team, you will play a key role in protecting Washington’s marine shorelines.

This position offers a balance of advanced technical analysis and hands-on fieldwork, where you will use geospatial data and scientific surveys to help the state make informed decisions about coastal management and restoration.

What you will do:

• Analyze Coastal Data: You will use specialized software and tools like lidar, sonar, and aerial imagery to map and analyze coastal features and sediment samples.

• Lead Field Operations: You will conduct topographic surveys and environmental data collection in coastal areas, providing leadership to field crews and maintaining essential equipment.

• Develop Geospatial Solutions: You will manage spatial datasets and conduct statistical analyses using Python, MATLAB, or GIS to create maps for public use and online display.

• Modernize Workflows: You will update data processing protocols and standard operating procedures to ensure mapping methods remain efficient and accurate.

• Perform Quality Assurance: You will quantify the accuracy of third-party data and develop new analyses to assess uncertainty in mapping products.

• Support Shoreline Strategy: You will prepare scientific reports and graphics to communicate your findings to management, helping to guide permitting and funding strategies.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

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

Experience: professional level experience performing environmental-based work

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

• Ability to collect, process, and manage environmental or scientific data using established methods and protocols.
• Skill in applying quantitative or geospatial analysis tools (e.g., GIS, scripting or analytical software) to support predefined analyses and studies.
• Ability to work with existing datasets, models, or scripts to generate outputs under guidance from senior staff.
• Skill in documenting methods, maintaining data quality, and following QA/QC procedures.

Education involving a major study in in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position

Examples of how to qualify:

• 5 years of experience.
• 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• A Master’s degree or above.

Desired Qualifications:

• Professional experience conducting shoreline and coastal feature mapping
• Experience manipulating and interpreting photogrammetric data, topographic survey data, sediment data, aerial imagery, and other remote sensing datasets
• Experience in operation and maintenance of ATVs for beach surveys
• Experience troubleshooting field GNSS survey systems.
• Experience creating vector datasets, creating and managing domains, and maintaining metadata
• Performing geospatial analyses in ArcGIS using Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, Raster Analysis, and other toolboxes
• Producing static and web-based cartographic products

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification.

At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Additional 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 Daniel Buscombe at Daniel.Buscombe@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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