Principal Planner (Environmental Planner 5)

Posting number: 2026-OCB5318-03090

Department: Dept. of Ecology

Division: The Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB)

Job classification: ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER 5

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Environmental Services, Public Health, Natural Resources, Sciences, Green-Collar/Environmental

Summary

The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Principal Planner (Environmental Planner 5) within the Office of Chehalis Basin.

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.
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional required in-person meetings and activities at the Headquarters Office or within the Chehalis Basin.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by June 14, 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.

Examples of duties

As the Office of Chehalis Basin Principal Planner, you will work with Tribes, local cities and counties, and community partners to design and guide effective floodplain management programs. As a key advisor to the Office Director and the appointed Chehalis Basin Board, you will draw on your knowledge of aquatic habitat restoration and flood policy to help develop innovative policies, funding programs, and strategic initiatives that address flooding, fish recovery, and land-use challenges across the Basin for decades to come.

You will supervise a team of planners and project managers, ensuring strong coordination across interdisciplinary initiatives while supporting staff growth and development. The Office of Chehalis Basin is piloting new approaches to building consensus around flooding, fish, and farms, and in this role you will contribute to statewide and national conversations on improving floodplain management. 

This position offers meaningful opportunities for professional development in program design, collaborative problem-solving, Tribal coordination, and interagency partnership – allowing you to make a lasting impact on the Basin’s communities and natural resources. Your work in this role will help shape the future of floodplain management and aquatic habitat restoration in one of Washington’s most dynamic watersheds.

What you will do:

• Develop and update programs, policies, and funding guidelines that support aquatic species restoration and flood damage reduction. 
• Supervise a team of three mid- to senior-level planners by setting priorities, assigning work, providing coaching, and supporting professional development.
• Build and maintain relationships with Tribal, local, state, and federal partners, and lead collaborative workgroups to advance shared goals.
• Manage solicitations and contracts with OCB’s fiscal team, including drafting scopes of work and reviewing invoices and deliverables.
• Review and approve technical materials and financial assistance documents to ensure accuracy and alignment with OCB policy.
• Present complex technical and policy issues to the Chehalis Basin Board, Ecology leadership, and other partners. 

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

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