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Section Planner (Environmental Planner 4)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen 
 
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.

The Department of Ecology has an incredible opportunity for an experienced strategic planner with charisma and strong writing skills. This position is the public face of the work that the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) does in Central Washington, and as such, will be expected to make public presentations, build strong relationships with local communities, and collaborate with staff. Attention to detail and experience managing financial projects will be expected.

We are looking for applicants who have experience in planning, presenting, writing, grants and contract management, and building collaborative relationships.

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.

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.
 
Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts


 
 
Duties
 

Accidental spills of dangerous materials and past business practices have contaminated land and water throughout the state. The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) works to remedy these situations, which range from cleaning up contamination from leaking underground storage tanks, to large, complex projects requiring engineering solutions. Our mission is to get and keep contaminants out of the environment.

The Section Planner position supports the mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program by:
  • Acts as the lead interface with external stakeholders for all projects with a financial component for the section. Communicates with them throughout the process.
  • Writes or edits pieces for section, program, agency, or legislative publications. Creates brochures or other outreach materials for tracking, reporting, and communications.
  • Prepares PowerPoint presentations for the Section Manager, and gives presentation to the section, program, and agency, as requested.
  • Handles all public involvement activities for the Section, including public comment periods, SEPA, fact sheets, public meetings etc.
  • Works to establish strong collaborative relationships with individuals and communities across central Washington.
  • Conducts outreach to new stakeholders (banks, developers, etc.) about purchasing or developing contaminated property.
  • Forms new relationships with different business sectors (drycleaners, convenience store owners, etc.) that interface regularly with our program.
  • Conducts outreach to new/potential external stakeholders on grants and loans that Ecology has to offer. Continually communicates with external stakeholders in order to highlight successes about each project for current and future marketing purposes.
  • Handles budget tracking, invoice approvals, coordination with technical reviewers, coordination with TCP Fiscal staff.
  • Plans and manages all projects with a budgetary component and acts as a clearinghouse for section budgetary information for consistency.
  • Plans and supports section manager with the section budget work and information needs for the Program Financial Services Manager. 
  • Designs, analyzes, and interprets data reports that are used for section and program planning, cleanup prioritization, determining staffing levels, budgetary decision making, and reporting for legislative requirements. 
  • Coordinates section training/mapping in order to: demonstrate connection of section work with Program Plan, demonstrates connection of section work with Agency Strategic Plan, reports performance measurements, tracks status of site and contract funding sources.
  • Maintains lists of needs (Brownfields/IPG, abandoned sites, Remedial Action Grants, LUST sites, etc.). Works with the Section Manager to review performance data and trends information in order to assess strategic performance. Represents the section when asked to work with program and agency staff on committees and work groups. 
  • Develops and maintains a thorough understanding of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) cleanup requirements and process, and the state budget process. 
  • Works closely with other programs and agencies to ensure consistent messaging.
  • Ensures a broad understanding of the program's goals and objectives to new and existing stakeholders.
 
 
 
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be October 4, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before October 3, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
 
 
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

A Master's degree or above with a 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 three (3) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development. 

OR

One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3, as long as the degree above has been obtained.


Knowledge of: Management and planning principles to achieve environmental results, techniques, current trends, environmental laws, policies and programs concerning all phases of state cleanup regulations and procedures; governmental administrative structure at the local and state level; state environmental cleanup programs nationally and; federal cleanup program requirements and trends. Problem solving and decision making, interpersonal conflict management, ethics in the work place, and interacting with the news media.

Ability to: Interpret and apply Agency policy; develop long range work plans, think conceptually, observe and interpret trends, analyze data, identify key relationships, draw logical conclusions and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders; address public groups, and write effectively.


Desired Qualifications:
  • Some experience developing and implementing performance management systems in the environmental field. 
  • Experience and skill in facilitating teams of environmental professionals with diverse interest and views. 
  • Experience in working with people on complex environmental issues. 
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities.


Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Valid Washington State Driver's License.
 

Why work for Ecology?

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 the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
                                                                             
*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information
 
Supplemental Information
 
Application Instructions:
 
In order to be considered, applicants MUST include the following documents as an attachment to their application:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume" may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of 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 at (360) 407-6186.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."



Other Information:
If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Valerie Bound at: Valerie.bound@ecy.wa.gov. Do not contact Valerie to inquire about the status of your application.

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.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.

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 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.