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Air Quality Planner (Environmental Planner 3)(In-Training)


Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18th, 2021. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 Vaccination as part of the hire process. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 Vaccination” in the subject line.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

This is an exciting time in Washington as Ecology implements brand new legislation addressing climate change. Everyone deserves clean air to breathe and a sustainable future that addresses the challenges of climate change. The Air Quality Program works to monitor air quality and reduce air pollution to protect the health of everyone who lives, works, and plays in Washington. We also work to protect Washington’s future by tracking our state’s efforts to cut the carbon pollution that drives climate change and implement carbon reduction programs.
 
The Air Quality Program (AQP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill an Air Quality Planner (Environmental Planner 3)(In-Training) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

[Note: Ecology is recruiting two similar positions; an Air Quality Planner 2 (in Training) and an Air Quality Planner 3 (In Training). If you are interested in being considered for both positions, you must apply to both positions. Please use this link to view and apply for the Air Quality Planner 3 (In Training) position: Air Quality Planner (Environmental Planner 2)(In-Training)]

In this role, you will be part of creating the future low carbon future for Washington. You will contribute to developing rules implementing the Climate Commitment Act. You will work with technical and policy experts within Ecology, and will have a key role in guiding the team through the rulemaking process.

The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQP) is to protect, preserve, and enhance the air quality of Washington to safeguard public health and the environment and support high quality of life for current and future generations. The Air Quality Program’s vision is clean, healthy air for all of Washington. Our goal is to identify, prevent, and minimize air pollution.

Please Note: This is a project position that is funded until June 30, 2027. 

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 embrace 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 building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 

Application Timeline: This position closes October 14, 2021, there will be an initial screening on September 30, 2021. To be considered for the initial screening you must apply by September 29, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties

In 2021, the Washington Legislature passed the Climate Commitment Act, establishing a comprehensive program to reduce carbon pollution and achieve the greenhouse gas limits set in state law. The Policy and Planning Section of Ecology’s Air Quality Program provides oversight for rulemaking projects that provide the regulatory foundation for ensuring clean air for Washington. As a member of the Policy and Planning Section, this project position will be a key member of a new Climate Rule unit, and will contribute to developing regulations for implementing the Climate Commitment Act. 

As a member of the Climate Commitment Act rulemaking team, you will;

  • Function as project manager for multiple projects and activities. 
  • Work closely with technical and policy experts. 
  • Schedule and facilitate team meetings to ensure timely technical reports and analyses.
  • Develop and present briefing materials that describe and evaluate options being considered. 
  • Create web content and communication materials with information about public involvement opportunities. 
  • Develop informational materials that explain complex technical concepts. 
  • Manage producing complex response to comments documents. 
  • Peer review documents for related projects

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

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

The goal class for this position is an Environmental Planner 3 (EP 3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for both the EP 3 and the EP 2 level. If the finalist meets the requirements for the EP 2 level then they will be hired as an EP 2 and will be placed in a training program to become an EP 3 within a specified period of time.

At the Environmental Planner 3 level Pay Range 59 ($4,974-$6,534 monthly) Goal Class.

Option 1: 

A Bachelors degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, land use or environmental law, public administration, economics, natural or physical science, or a closely related field.
 
AND
 
Four years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource or public policy planning, environmental permitting, air quality regulations, engineering 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, land use or environmental law, public administration, economics, natural or physical science, or a closely related field.
 
AND
 
Two year of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource or public policy planning, environmental permitting, air quality regulations, engineering and/or program development

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2 at the Department of Ecology.


All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position at the EP3 level:


At the Environmental Planner 2 level Pay Range 52 ($4,188-$5,494 monthly) Goal Class 
Option 1: 

A Bachelors degree with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, land use or environmental law, public administration, economics, natural or physical science, or a closely related field.
 
AND
 
Three years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource or public policy planning, environmental permitting, air quality regulations, engineering 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, land use or environmental law, public administration, economics, natural or physical science, or a closely related field.
 
AND
 
One year of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource or public policy planning, environmental permitting, air quality regulations, engineering and/or program development

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 1 at the Department of Ecology.


All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position at the EP2 level:


Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
 
  • Policy Development: Have a knowledge of the policy development processes and be able to identify issues, positions, and interests of various parties and craft strategies accordingly. 
  • Project Management: Effectively direct and integrate all aspects of a project, ensuring that work progresses toward achieving goals and objectives and meeting deadlines.
  • Technical Writing: Be able to communicate air quality regulatory, science and technical information; be comfortable with data presented in graphical and tabular format, and be able to communicate statistical concepts and terminology. 
  • Knowledge involving environmental regulations.

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 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

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 (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 Martha Hankins at: mhan461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Martha 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:

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 LinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagram 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.