Cap-and-Invest Emissions-Intensive Trade-Exposed Industries (Environmental Planner 5) (In-Training)

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. 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

Position Summary

The Air Quality Program (AQP) is looking to fill the Senior Environmental Planner, Cap-and-Invest Program and Emissions-Intensive Trade-Exposed Industries (Environmental Planner 5) (In-Training) position. This position will be located at our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
   
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. In 2021, Washington’s Legislature passed the landmark Climate Commitment Act (CCA) – a sweeping piece of legislation that directs Ecology to develop and implement the state’s first Cap-and-Invest Program and commits our state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050.
 
Washington’s Cap-and-Invest 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 hard at work and looking to hire a diverse range of mission-focused professionals to help us bring this important legislation to life.
 
 In this role, you will be the agency’s lead expert in emissions-intensive and trade-exposed industries (EITEs) as part of the State’s Cap-and-Invest program while furthering policy and statutory objectives and ensuring a successful program. This position will coordinate the design and development of key policies and guidance on EITEs and the auction and market program, which is a top priority of the agency, Legislature, and Governor’s Office.

Please Note: This is a project position that is funded until June, 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 expected to work in the office on a regular basis. 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.” 

• 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. 

Duties

What you will do: 

• Develop and apply expertise in the design and implementation of policies concerning emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industries (EITEs). 
• Apply expertise in the interaction of EITE policies with greenhouse gas allowance auctions and market design, implementation, and compliance.
• Provide technical support, advice, and expertise to support rulemaking. 
• Evaluate and review literature and analyses conducted by outside consultants and entities.
• Analyze policies and best practices for EITE entity regulation from other jurisdictions (California, Quebec, and other relevant markets) and apply that analysis to Washington’s program.
• Identify and analyze regulatory implications of existing and proposed federal and state laws, rules, and policies.
• Consult regularly with regulated entities, state and local agencies, stakeholders, Tribal governments, and interested parties regarding the allowance auctions and market and EITE policies and rules.        
• Provide analysis and consultation in support of outreach to environmental justice groups and interested parties regarding EITE policies and rules.   

Qualifications

This is an In-Training position. The goal class for this position is Environmental Planner 5 (EP5). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Planner 4 level. If the finalist meets the requirements for the EP4 level, then they will be hired as an EP4 and will be placed in a training program to become an EP5 within a specified period of time.

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.

At the Environmental Planner 4 level: Salary Range 63 ($5,673 - $7,441 monthly) (In-Training)

Option 1: 

• A Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industries (EITEs), auctions, and/or markets, or closely allied fields.
• Five years of professional experience, including experience in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other areas applicable to EITEs, auctions, and/or markets; or conducting analyses that include but are not limited to data analysis, software coding, industrial systems analysis, or industrial policy analysis.

Option 2:

• A Master’s degree or higher with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to EITEs, auctions, and/or markets, or closely allied fields.
• Three years of professional experience, including experience in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; other areas applicable to EITEs, auctions, and/or markets; or conducting analyses that include but are not limited to data analysis, software coding, industrial systems analysis, or industrial policy analysis.

Option 3:

• One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3, at the Department of Ecology. 

At the Environmental Planner 5 level: Salary Range 67 ($6,260 - $8,216 monthly) Goal Class

Option 1: 

• A Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to EITEs, auctions, and/or markets, or closely allied fields.
• Seven years of professional experience, including experience in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other areas applicable to EITEs, auctions, and/or markets; or conducting analyses that include but are not limited to data analysis, software coding, industrial systems analysis, or industrial policy analysis.

Option 2:

• A Master’s degree or higher with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to EITEs, auctions, and/or markets, or closely allied fields.
• Five years of professional experience, including experience in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; other areas applicable to EITEs, auctions, and/or markets; or conducting analyses that include but are not limited to data analysis, software coding, industrial systems analysis, or industrial policy analysis.

Option 3:

• Two years of experience as an Environmental Planner 4, 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.

• Experience working to address climate change in some capacity, including working on policies relating to manufacturing and/or decarbonizing emissions of heavy industries. 
• An understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-invest markets, GHG reduction programs and policies.
• Quantitative skills, including statistical and/or mathematical course work or programming and modeling course work, degrees, and/or experience that may be relevant to GHG reduction programs and policies. 

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.
• Three professional references.

Application Timeline: 

• This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of November 4, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before November 3, 2022.
• The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Note: 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 Andrew Hayes at: Andrew.Hayes@ecy.wa.gov.
• Please do not contact Andrew 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 

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.

Collective Bargaining:

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

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. 

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.

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.