Salary: $65,928.00 – $86,484.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Job Type: Project (limited duration)
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Job Number: 2022-AQP1198-03810
Closing: Continuous

Learn more about this position at the Department of Ecology’s Government Jobs page.

The Shorelands & Environmental Assistance and the Air Quality Program (AQP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Climate mitigation and land use planner (Environmental Planner 4) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington, and we need to quickly reduce these emissions to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Land use planning has significant impacts on how much we need to get around, but not all plans are optimized to reduce transportation demand and minimize emissions. This is a senior-level environmental planning position that will coordinate with state agencies, local and Tribal governments, technical and academic experts, and others to develop guidance that local governments can use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through land use planning. In this position you will also develop rules and guidance under the State Environmental Policy Act to make sure that greenhouse gas emissions estimates for proposed developments and projects are done accurately and consistently. This unique position will coordinate between two different environmental programs at Ecology, the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program, which oversees planning and the State Environmental Protection Act, and the Air Quality Program, which oversees efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The mission of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program supports community conservation efforts for our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains.

The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQP) is to protect and improve air quality in Washington and to protect our State’s environment for current and future generations. 

Please Note: This is a project position that is funded until June 30, 2023. The Funding for this position has a high probability of being renewed for the next biennial budget.

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.
Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • 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.

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.

  • Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions. 
  • Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive. 
  • Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work. 
  • Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement. 

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. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 

Application Timeline:

This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of April 11, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 10, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.  Duties

What Makes This Role Unique? 

In this position you will play an important role in bringing Washington’s comprehensive environmental review and master planning processes up to date with the latest climate change science. In this role you will excel at considering a wide range of perspectives and developing guidance that is both technically rigorous and useful to local governments around the state with diverse needs and resource levels.

What You Will Do:

  • Develop rules and guidance that establish uniform methods for comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions assessment and mitigation planning. Ensure that these methods are consistent with others used across state government. Develop and implement training as needed.
  • Collect feedback from internal and external stakeholders and engage in a process of continuous improvement of the guidance and methods for GHG assessment and mitigation planning.
  • Provide technical review of project proposal documents submitted under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) to ensure adequate consideration of greenhouse gas impacts and mitigation. Provide feedback to agency SEPA coordinators and external stakeholders.
  • Serve as Ecology lead in interagency efforts to develop guidance on greenhouse gas reduction through land use planning for cities and counties. Convene relevant Ecology staff to provide input into the interagency efforts and consolidate their feedback.

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 or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

AND 

Five (5) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

Option 2: A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, environmental science, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

AND 

Three years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development

Option 3: One (1) year as an Environmental Planner 3 at the Department of Ecology. 

Desired Qualifications:

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

  • Knowledge of: the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), the Growth Management Act, and local government planning principles
  • Experience in greenhouse gas emissions assessment and accounting.
  • Knowledge of climate change and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, and experience developing and implementing climate mitigation guidance.
  • General knowledge of technical report writing methods and training methods.

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 Brenden Mcfarland at: Brenden.Mcfarland@ecy.wa.gov . Please do not contact [HM NAME] 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.