Senior Environmental Planner, Cap-and-Invest Program and Linkage

Washington’s program is only the second such economy-wide program in the nation, and Ecology has been directed by the Legislature to have it up-and-running by January 1, 2023. It’s a big task with even bigger long-term impacts on the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and the global fight against climate change. Air Quality’s CCA Implementation Group is already hard at work and looking to hire a diverse range of mission-focused professionals to help us bring this important legislation to life.

As Senior Environmental Planner, Cap-and-Invest Program and Linkage, you will be the agency’s lead expert on the process Washington will use to explore linking the state’s Cap-and-Invest Program with other jurisdictions such as California and Quebec. This position will:

• Design and lead the linkage process and research, develop, and provide recommendations to unit and program leadership concerning that process and the relevant criteria. 
• Develop and conduct the environmental justice assessment necessary to explore linkage.
• Plan and lead Tribal outreach and consultation and public outreach and community engagement with a focus on reaching overburdened and impacted communities. 
• If a decision is made to link Washington’s Cap-and-Invest Program with other jurisdictions, provide technical support, advice, and expertise to support negotiating the agreement, rulemaking that may be necessary to implement linkage, and the development of any legislation that might be necessary.    

Please Note: This is a project position that is funded through 2027. The Funding for this position has a high probability of being renewed for the next bi-annual budget.

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is required to work in the office two days per week. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” 

About the Department of Ecology

• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
• A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

 
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

Duties

What you will do: 
As Senior Environmental Planner, Cap-and-Invest Program and Linkage, you will be responsible for:

• Designing and leading the implementation of Washington’s process to explore linking with other carbon markets. This includes Tribal outreach and consultation, and public outreach and community engagement with a focus on reaching overburdened and impacted communities. 
• Developing and conducting the environmental justice assessment necessary to explore linking Washington’s Cap-and-Invest program with other programs.
• Providing leadership and managing the workflow of the community outreach and engagement position that will assist in the process.  
• Providing briefings and status updates regarding the linkage process to the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) Implementation Group Manager, the Air Quality Program Manager, Agency Director and Deputy Director, and Governor’s Senior Policy Advisors.   
• Serving as the subject matter expert on linkage and identifying and analyzing regulatory implications of federal and state laws, rules, and policies on linkage and the Cap-and-Invest program. 
• Consulting with regulated entities, state and local agencies, groups focused on environmental and climate justice, stakeholders, and interested parties regarding linkage.   
• If a decision is made to pursue linkage, providing expert advice and technical assistance in negotiating a linkage agreement and in any rule-making or legislation that may be necessary. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

Option 1:
A Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of natural or social science and/or policy; land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; economics, finance, or business; project or program management; environmental justice; government, policy, regulation, public administration, communications; or closely allied fields AND seven (7) years of professional experience, which may include some or all of the following: environmental science and/or policy; other areas of natural or social science and/or policy; land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; economics, finance, or business; project or program management; environmental justice; government, policy, regulation, public administration, communications; or other closely allied field.
 
Option 2:
A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of natural or social science and/or policy; land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; economics, finance, or business; project or program management; environmental justice; government, policy, regulation, public administration, communications; or closely allied fields AND five (5) years of professional experience, which may include some or all of the following: environmental science and/or policy; other areas of natural or social science and/or policy; land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; economics, finance, or business; project or program management; environmental justice; government, policy, regulation, public administration, communications; or other closely allied field.

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

• Experience working to address climate change in some capacity, and an understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) markets and GHG reduction programs and policies.
• Experience managing time sensitive projects and working with a broad range of stakeholders in leading those projects. 

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Supplemental Information

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.


Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

• Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
• If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.   

Application Instructions:

It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• Three professional references.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
• Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees: 
 
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Luke Martland at: Luke.Martland@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Luke to inquire about the status of your application.

To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.

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),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information 

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.