WCC Administrative Operations Manager (Natural Resource Specialist 5)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

About the role

The Department of Ecology is hiring a WCC Administrative Operations Manager within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program. This is a temporary position that will end on April 30, 2027, with the potential to be extended. This position can be based at the Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA, or the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station. If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County.

This position provides a unique opportunity to lead the Washington Conservation Corps’ administrative and communications functions within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program. In this role, you will guide a team of professional staff who deliver grant compliance oversight, internal communications support, administrative coordination, and evaluation leadership for a statewide AmeriCorps program serving more than 350 members and staff. You will serve as the agency’s AmeriCorps subject matter expert, ensuring continuous federal compliance, shaping internal policy direction, strengthening operational systems, and representing Ecology in high-visibility interactions with state and federal funders.

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.

Requirements

Eight years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• 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.

Qualifications

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Special Requirements & Conditions of Employment

• 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. Criminal history checks cover Washington State; if the candidate previously lived out of state, an additional check will be completed in that state. Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate but will be evaluated to determine their suitability for the position.

Desired Qualifications

• 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.

Pay

$6,224 - $8,372 monthly.

Schedule

This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Benefits

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).