Climate Change: Cap-and-Invest Market Planner (2 positions)

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.

Note: If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  

We're keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen! 

 

Washington has adopted ground-breaking legislation to address climate change by sharply reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. 

 

• Do you care passionately about climate change?  
• Are you seeking a challenging and rewarding job in which you will be directly addressing the climate crisis? 
• Then join us as we implement this historic legislation.

Position Overview

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 not currently required 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.”

Please Note: This is a project position that is funded until June 30, 2027.  The Funding for this position has a high probability of being renewed for the next bi-annual budget. 

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.  Washington is in the process of building an economy-wide cap and invest program, and Air Quality’s newly created Climate Commitment Act Implementation Group is leading the design and implementation of this program.  As part of the cap and invest program, businesses and entities will be required to obtain allowances tied to their emissions, which can be bought, sold, and traded.  This market will begin in 2023, and the proceeds will be invested in initiatives to decarbonize transportation and other sectors of the economy, promote clean energy, and advance equity and environmental justice.  
 
 In supporting the unit’s work on allowance trading and entity education, you will help ensure firms can effectively participate in the cap-and-invest marketplace. By helping firms get comfortable with this new market and how it works, you’ll enable them to devote their time and resources to decarbonization - helping Washington achieve its goal of total carbon neutrality by 2050.
 
 In supporting the unit’s work on auctions, you will help coordinate and implement allowance auctions that firms participate in to meet their emissions compliance obligations. These auctions are the linchpin of the cap-and-invest program and generate significant proceeds that are applied towards the decarbonization of the transportation industry, improving access to clean energy, and advancing health equity and environmental justice.
 
 In this role, you will support the work of two staff leads in the cap-and-invest Auctions and Market Unit. One staff lead is focused on allowance trading and entity education, and the other lead is focused on allowance auctions. The Auctions and Market Unit helps bring companies into the cap-and-invest program, facilitates allowance auctions and trading, and safeguards the cap-and-invest program’s integrity through ongoing market surveillance. You will also be involved in outreach to similar programs in other jurisdictions (e.g., California and Québec), external agencies, stakeholders, and the Western Climate Initiative, Inc. For more details on job duties and qualifications, please see below.

• 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 makes these roles unique?

In supporting our allowance trading and entity education lead, you will: 

• Help covered entities understand and participate in the allowance market
• Work with WCI, Inc., which provides the auction platform for Washington’s cap-and-invest program, on allowance market changes 
• Communicate with programs in other jurisdictions (e.g., California and Québec, Canada) as the unit works to harmonize allowance processes with other programs that use the WCI platform.
• Perform direct outreach to entities with trading questions, and work with our communications team to develop and deliver trainings on how to participate in the market and place trades. 

In supporting our auction lead, you will: 

• Help work with WCI, Inc., which provides the auction platform for Washington’s cap-and-invest program to ensure cap-and-invest entities understand and can participate in allowance auctions
• Support the budget team in communicating revenue projections
• Work with participating entities to ensure they comply with cap-and-invest regulations by providing Ecology with accurate, timely, and complete auction-related data 
• Work with WCI, Inc. on auction design improvements, and with external jurisdictions (e.g., California and Québec, Canada) to harmonize auction processes

Qualifications

This is an In-Training position. The goal class for this position is an Environmental Planner 2 (EP2). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for both the EP1 and EP2 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements at the EP1 level, they will be hired as at the EP1 level and will be placed in an training program to become an EP2 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 EP 1 Level: (Range 43: $3,479-$4,540 Monthly)
 
Option One:

A Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; project or program management; Urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, public administration economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to auctions, and/or markets, or closely allied fields.
 
AND
 
Two years of professional experience, which may include some or all of the following: general experience in project management and/or program management; environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other areas applicable to auctions, and/or markets; and closely-related fields.

OR

Option Two:

A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; project or program management; Urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, public administration, economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to auctions, and/or markets, or closely allied fields. 

At the EP2 Level: Goal Class (Range 52: $4,188-$5,494 Monthly)

Option One:

A Bachelor’s degree with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; project or program management; Urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, public administration, economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to auctions, and/or markets, or closely allied fields.
 
AND
 
Three years of professional experience, which may include some or all of the following: general experience in project management and/or program management; environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other areas applicable to auctions, and/or markets; and closely-related fields.

Option Two:

A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; project or program management; Urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, public administration, economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to auctions, and/or markets, or closely allied fields.
 
AND
 
One year of professional experience, which may include some or all of the following: general experience in project management and/or program management; environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other areas applicable to auctions, and/or markets; and closely-related fields. 

Option Three:

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

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

A background check will be conducted, which may include criminal record history, fingerprinting, and credit history. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
 
Desired Qualifications:

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

• Project management experience or training
• Experience working to address climate change in some capacity 
• An understanding of GHG markets, GHG reduction programs and policies
• Quantitative skills, 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, the next screening date will be October 25, 2021. In order to be considered for the next screening, please submit an application on or before October 24, 2021.
• The agency reserves the right to make an appointment at any time after the initial screening date and we encourage applicants to submit their applications as soon as they can.  

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 Scott Dubble at: Scott.Dubble@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Scott to inquire about the status of your application.  
• Please do not contact Scott 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.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.