Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Cap-and-Invest Industrial Decarbonization Specialist (Environmental Planner 5) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by March 16, 2025.
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after March 16th may not be considered.

As the Cap-and-Invest Industrial Decarbonization Specialist, you will oversee the design and development of key policies and guidance on industrial decarbonization mechanisms, technologies, and strategies leading to the successful implementation of, and compliance with the State's Cap-and-Invest Program, a key priority for the Department of Ecology, the Legislature, and the Governor's Office. To accomplish this work, you will work with staff across the Cap-and-Invest Program in policy, auctions and markets, and emissions reporting and verification. You'll collaborate with Ecology's Office of Equity and Environmental Justice policy and technical leads, while providing information for responses to requests from policy advisors in the Office of the Governor as well as legislators and legislative staff. 

• Apply policy evaluation, program assessment, and sector-specific skills to develop and evaluate approaches to reducing industrial greenhouse gases, mitigate industrial emissions leakage risk, and meet statewide emissions limits.

• Apply specialized experience and expertise to develop regulatory measures, implementation plans, and procedures for controlling greenhouse gas emissions and to prepare feasibility and cost-effectiveness studies of proposed standards and control measures.

• Conduct studies to support coordination of greenhouse gas emission reduction programs among other Climate Pollution Reduction (CPR) programs, other State agencies, and other external organizations.

• Take on responsibilities with extreme sensitivity and complexity, often dealing with emerging or undefined issues, and typically involving potential conflict among diverse issues, such as state-of-the-art technologies; public concern; local, State, and Federal Government concerns; Tribal government and overburdened community concerns; costs; and business interests.

• Design and create tools to compare technical and policy alternatives and to provide scientific critique of measurement methods, policy interpretations, and other proposals and input from a broad range of interested parties.

• Spearhead the development of policy and legislative proposals with immediate and long-range impact; evaluate policy and legislative proposals that impact Washington’s climate change programs; and recommend creative implementation solutions.

• Work with state, national, and international experts, and interested parties to gather research and technical evaluations to support the continued integrity of the implementation of the Cap-and-Invest program. Evaluate and review literature and analyses conducted by outside consultants and entities.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Eleven years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to industrial decarbonization, emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries, emissions trading systems, industrial economics, or other allied fields; or conducting analyses that include but are not limited to data analysis, software coding, industrial systems analysis, or industrial policy analysis.
• Education involving a major study in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to industrial decarbonization, emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries, emissions trading systems, industrial economics, or other allied fields.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 11 years of experience.
• 10 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 9 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 8 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 4 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
• 2 years of experience as an Environmental Planner 4, at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

Desired Qualifications:

• 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 emissions trading systems, including cap-and-invest style regulatory programs, greenhouse gas 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 greenhouse gas reduction programs and policies.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

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.

Application Process

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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Andrew Hayes at Andrew.Hayes@ecy.wa.gov. 
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Climate Pollution Reduction Program

The Climate Pollution Reduction Program's (CPRP's) mission is to implement policies and programs to reduce carbon emissions in the state of Washington so that the state meets its statutory greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limits. The CPRP focuses long-term, requiring creative and strategic decision-making for implementation to achieve broad statewide and interstate success reducing carbon emissions in the state of Washington so residents have a healthy environment and climate. 

The Cap and Invest Group (CIG) is responsible for the implementation and operation of Washington’s Cap-and-Invest Program, which employs market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective manner. As part of the Cap-and-Invest Program, businesses and entities are required to obtain allowances tied to their emissions, which can be bought, sold, and traded. The market for these commodities began in January 2023, and the proceeds are invested by the state in projects to decarbonize transportation and other sectors of the economy, promote clean energy, and advance equity and environmental justice. 

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology 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. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

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 *Click here for more information 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

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.

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.

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