Falcon 20FJF/20C/20D/20E/20F
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 3
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Human Factors; Procedure
Working Paine/Boeing sectors combined at Paine scope. PAE ATC had requested release on Aircraft X utilizing the automated 'F13' function. Aircraft Y was already cleared and on a practice RNAV approach to Runway 16R. PAE ATC activated the shoutline and informed me that Aircraft X was 'My control;' which I acknowledged but hadn't figured out why they had specifically called over. At that time Aircraft Y was on a mile and a half final and I did not consider that PAE ATC would have launched the departure in front of the practice approach. Almost immediately after the coordination; Aircraft X tagged up on my scope and it became clear to me why PAE ATC had coordinated. I radar identified Aircraft X and issued a turn immediately in an attempt to establish some form of separation between Aircraft X and Aircraft Y (who at this point was tagging up on the go from their option). Aircraft Y advised traffic in sight on initial contact and I issued an immediate turn away from Aircraft Y. I subsequently asked Aircraft Y what instructions PAE ATC had issued them regarding the preceding traffic. Aircraft Y indicated that they were informed of the traffic and cleared low approach. I specifically asked if PAE ATC had instructed them to maintain visual separation and Aircraft Y responded that they had not.PAE ATC is responsible for initial IFR separation of successive departures. Had I processed more quickly the situation that was developing; I would have instructed PAE ATC to issue a turn to Aircraft X. The Tower controller clearly understood that the situation was not going to work; but their coordination should have been for a turn instead of offering control of Aircraft X. As the Departure Controller; I can only work to recover and re-established standard separation; which I believe I did as quickly as I could once I comprehended the situation that had developed.
Seattle TRACON Controller reported an operational error due to Tower releasing an aircraft for departure too close to an arrival who had been cleared for the option.