Riparian Grant Program Specialist (Program Specialist 3)

Riparian Grant Program Specialist (Program Specialist 3)

Salary

$4,980.00 - $6,708.00 Monthly

Location

Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-SCC-003

Department

Conservation Commission

Opening Date

06/15/2026

Closing Date

7/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information

The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Schedule: The typical workweek is a standard 40-hour workweek and may need occasional adjusting in order to meet the customer's need. Work hours are typically 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. This position requires occasional travel and overnight stays to attend commission meetings, workshops, meeting sites, or project sites to assist staff, arrange meetings, etc. Additionally, this position will operate in a hybrid/remote setting, with the expectation of being able to come into the office as needed. This position has the ability to work from anywhere within Washington State.

Who we are:

The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) is a non-regulatory state agency that supports and coordinates our state's 45 conservation districts and administers voluntary conservation programs. Together, the SCC and conservation districts (CDs) provide incentive-based services that empower people across Washington to take actions that keep natural resources and working lands healthy for all.

About this Position

With funding from the Washington State Legislature, SCC administers the Riparian Grant Program (RGP) to restore and protect priority riparian areas across the state, through grants made to Conservation Districts for projects that restore, maintain, and enhance riparian habitat. In the Riparian Grant Program Specialistposition, you will be responsible for building positive working relationships with diverse stakeholders and entities, including conservation districts and external partners. You will provide internal program administration and implementation assistance and will coordinate outreach to conservation districts and interested parties on the program. Additionally, you will offer support for updating program guidelines and adjusting reporting or improving delivery systems to better accomplish program goals.

Duties

Some of what you'll enjoy doing includes:

• Monitors and processes Riparian Grant Program (RGP) grant applications.
• Checks applications and project data in SCC's grant portal for completeness and provides initial review of alignment with guidelines and SCC policies.
• Checks applications and project data in SCC's Conservation Practice Data System (CPDS) for completeness and provides initial review of alignment with guidelines and SCC policies.
• Routes applications for review by other SCC staff, tracks awards as issued by finance staff team.
• Monitors and supports implementation of RGP grant awards.
• Provides technical resources and support to awardees. Resolves questions and issues as they arise from awardees.
• Monitors spending and progress of RGP awards including quarterly progress check-ins with CDs, review of monthly spending reports, identification of any issues or anomalies occurring through these processes, elevates issues as appropriate to supervisor or others.
• Use knowledge of riparian restoration and knowledge gained from conservation district award implementation to support program administration process improvements (e.g. updates and improvements to the application, reporting tools, and data collection).
• Develops schedule, protocol, and template for 5-year technical project site/field reviews and coordinates site visits with conservation districts.
• Integrates observations from site reviews into program administrative improvements.
• Provides technical advice to RGP participants on program practices, rules, policies and procedures to conservation district staff, other agencies and the public; ensuring compliance with policy and guidelines.
• Identify, develop or distribute resources to aid conservation districts to implement RGP awards and riparian restoration, in collaboration with Science Hub.
• Tracks RGP-related activities and data. Assists in the development of report template and SCC data platform.
• Assists in program reporting processes for RGP portion of agency-wide biennial and annual reports.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

A Bachelor's Degree

AND

Two years of experience in natural resources or agricultural grant management, program administration, or related field.

OR

Any combination of relevant experience, including strong working knowledge of ecological restoration principles.

AND

• Computer skills with Microsoft applications
• Strong customer relations, customer service, negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Hold a valid Driver's License, free from serious traffic violations
• Ability to travel (including overnight)
• Ability to handle multiple projects with competing deadlines in a dynamic work environment
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including public speaking and the ability to research, organize and present varied and complex subjects in an approachable and understandable manner
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other agency staff, partner organizations and conservation district supervisors and staff
• Ability to understand and follow agency safety policies and other standards established to maintain a safe work environment
• Proven ability to work comfortably with people of widely differing temperaments, perspectives, cultures, work styles and preferences

PREFERRED:

• Experience working with conservation districts
• Experience interacting collaboratively with local, state or federal agencies (especially USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service), and other specialty or user groups
• Experience facilitating meetings/groups and working with committees to gain consensus
• Extensive knowledge and/or experience working in or around agriculture in the western United States
• Experience with riparian ecological restoration and monitoring techniques and principles
• Familiarity with state grant programs to protect and conserve natural resources
• Experience working effectively with Tribes
• Working knowledge of stream geomorphology and stream flow
• Working knowledge of the federal Endangered Species Act and Washington's State Wildlife Action Plan
• Working knowledge of the federal Clean Water Act and state Water Pollution Control Act
• Working knowledge of salmon recovery efforts in the Pacific Northwest
• Skill with collaborative decision-making models
• Experience using GIS software to develop maps and for light geoprocessing for data analysis

Diversity Equity and Inclusion:

Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following DEI competencies (complete version found here(Download PDF reader)):

• Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our SCC DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful and inclusive workplace.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
• Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
• Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization or community.
• Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply:

Click "Apply" at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest (no more than 2 pages) explaining how you have prepared yourself for this position.
• A current resume or CV, detailing experience, and education.
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section or supplemental questions of the application. Please do not "refer to resume" for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

Opportunity for All:

The Washington State Conservation Commission celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at jobs@des.wa.gov.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. Thats why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

01

Do you have a valid drivers license, free from serious traffic violations?

• Yes
• No

02

What is your level of education?

• Some or no college
• 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits)
• Associates degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits)
• 3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits)
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree or higher

03

How many months of experience do you have in natural resources or agricultural grant management, program administration, or related field?

• 0-11 months (less than 1 year)
• 12-23 months (at least 1 year)
• 24-35 months (at least 2 years)
• 36-47 months (at least 3 years)
• 48-59 months (at least 4 years)
• 60-71 months (at least 5 years)
• 72 months or more (at least 6 years)

04

From the question above, briefly describe this experience If this does not apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

05

From the question above state what job(s) your experience will clearly be found. If this doesnt apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

06

How did you hear about this job posting?

• Careers.wa.gov / Governmentjobs.com
• Friend
• Indeed
• Job Board
• LinkedIn
• Other

07

We would like to know where you heard about this position. If you selected College Job Board, Job Fair, Job Board, or Other, please let us know the specific name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position. If you selected a specifically named job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "n/a".

Required Question

Employer State of Washington

Address View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Website http://www.careers.wa.gov