WCC Administrative Operations Manager (Natural Resource Specialist 5)

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

3d•$6,224 - $8,372•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a WCC Administrative Operations Manager (Natural Resource Specialist 5) within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program. This is a temporary position that will end on April 30, 2027, with the potential for extension. The position can be based at the Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA, or the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA. Upon hire, employees must live within a commutable distance of their selected duty station. The Northwest Region Office in Shoreline offers a 5% premium pay due to its King County location. The salary range is $6224 - $8372 monthly. This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, which are dependent on position needs and subject to change. The application deadline is August 24, 2026; applications submitted after this date may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Requirements

Eight years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
Federal Regulatory Compliance – Ability to interpret federal rules, apply regulatory guidance accurately, and maintain continuous compliance through audits, monitoring activities, and required reporting, with a specific focus on AmeriCorps grant language and requirements.
Grant Application and Management – Skill in preparing complex federal grant submissions, producing structured narratives, meeting reporting cycles, and ensuring alignment with program requirements and funding terms.
Program Evaluation – Ability to design and carry out evaluation plans, assess output and outcome data, and apply technical methodologies to measure program performance effectively.
Policy Development – Experience creating, updating, and implementing internal procedures to ensure consistent, accurate operations that meet state and federal expectations.
Supervision – Ability to direct professional staff, provide coaching and mentoring, establish work standards, evaluate performance, support staff development, and guide process improvements.
Administrative Coordination – Experience overseeing administrative workflows, ensuring accurate enrollment and documentation practices, and working effectively with finance, human resources, and other internal units to support compliance.
Education: involving a major study in natural resources or a natural resource specialty area, or closely allied field. A Bachelor’s degree substitutes for 4 years of experience. A Master’s degree substitutes for 6 years of experience.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Must successfully complete a background check, including Washington State criminal history, state motor vehicle records, Federal Sex Offender Registry, and FBI fingerprinting.

Nice To Haves

Ability to respond to difficult or sensitive interpersonal situations in a manner that prevents/minimizes conflict and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers.
Knowledge of governmental planning and operational processes.
Experience interpreting and applying State and Federal regulations.

Responsibilities

Lead agencywide compliance for a $2 million AmeriCorps grant, ensuring accurate interpretation of federal rules, adherence to regulatory terms and conditions, and timely completion of complex grant reports and audits.
Prepare Ecology’s highly competitive annual AmeriCorps grant application, developing strategic plans, logic models, performance measures, and multi-section narrative documents.
Represent Ecology in interactions with Serve Washington (OFM), AmeriCorps federal staff, statewide partners, and external oversight entities, serving as the agency’s recognized expert on AmeriCorps compliance requirements.
Design, oversee, and submit program evaluation plans using technical methodologies such as Before-After Control Impact (BACI), ensuring alignment with federal evaluation standards.
Lead development, implementation, and annual updates of section policies, procedures, and internal communications to enhance operational consistency and transparency for crews, supervisors, and administrative staff.
Supervise a team of five professional administrative and communications staff, providing leadership, coaching, mentoring, work direction, performance evaluation, and ongoing process improvement support.
Guide internal and external communications on behalf of WCC leadership, ensuring clarity, consistency, and alignment with Ecology and AmeriCorps expectations.
Conduct workshops and provide technical assistance to WCC staff statewide to improve accuracy in federal reporting, documentation practices, and compliance processes.
Oversee administrative workflows related to member enrollment, documentation, fiscal compliance, and coordination with Ecology’s finance and HR units.
Coordinate and facilitate annual WCC all-staff meetings, internal trainings, and section manual updates, ensuring cohesive messaging and alignment with program goals.
Serve as a key contributor to WCC leadership team planning, decision-making, and operational strategy supporting program effectiveness and statewide environmental restoration outcomes.