Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The
Air Quality programwithin the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a
Program Contracts and Grants Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) position.
This position is locatedin our
Headquarters Office in
Lacey, WA.Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
As Program Contracts and Grants Specialist, you will support Air Quality Program’s (AQP) mission by developing, negotiating, implementing and monitoring terms of agreements for AQP grants and contracts. You will hone your program knowledge, and use your in-depth grant and contract development experience to administer millions of dollars of federal, state, local government, university and private entity contracts and grants. These contracts and grants allow the AQP to assist public entities with air pollution reduction through air monitoring, technical assistance, public education, and enforcement.
Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations.Program Mission To equitably protect and improve air quality for all of Washington. Tele-work options for this position:This position will have flexibility of a hybrid schedule, empowering work from home and office, providing less time in traffic and shrinking your carbon footprint. This position will be eligible for up to a 80% tele-work schedule.Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline:
Apply by December 15, 2024
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 December 15, 2024 may not be considered.
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
About the Department of Ecology
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 embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan.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.
- Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.
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.
Duties
What makes this role unique?
As the Program Contracts and Grants Specialist, you will interface with Air Quality Program and Ecology staff in a multitude of disciplines. You will also directly consult with and support local government and not-for-profit grant recipients, Tribes, local clean air agencies, the Attorney General’s office and other agencies and universities. Your grant portfolio includes landfill methane grants, improving air quality in overburdened communities, diesel and soot reduction, and other federal environmental grants. You will receive support and be involved with the Agency-wide grant group (including other agency-wide grant administrators) and develop expertise in competitive procurement processes.
What you will do:
Manage and coordinate grant application process and pre-application announcement, including resolving issues, for assigned grant programs so that potential applicants are well informed, final awards are as equitable and as widespread as possible, and grant spending can begin in a minimal amount of time. Provide administrative assistance to regional offices and recipients on budgetary design/planning and contractual requirements, including but not limited to: grant agreements, payment request / progress reports, amendments, and close-out process.
Provide applicants, recipients, and project managers with administrative assistance and direction in the interpretation of grant agreement and guidelines, state and federal statutes and rules, AQP and Agency policies and procedures, as well as audit requirements and grantee relationships.
Participate in the pre-award, grant application, and loan agreement review process. Develop recommendations to management for final proposed applicant award list/rankings and grant award amounts so that grant funds can be awarded to recipients most likely to provide the most effective clean air programs in the most vulnerable communities.
Communicate award decisions to applicants, management, and program staff.
Develop and negotiate grant agreement amendments with Ecology program management, Ecology project managers, and grant recipients so that recipients can implement effective programs that reduce health and environmental threats from smoke and motor vehicle emissions or achieve overall cleaner air in Washington communities. Independently review and approve requests for grant payments by determining eligibility of recipient costs for consistency with the grant regulations, program guidelines, and agency requirements outlined in Ecology’s Administrative Requirements for Ecology Grants and Loans (Yellow Book), Ecology Publication No. 91-18 and that costs are billed to the correct task and fund source.
Verify recipient has correctly and completely updated required information in Ecology’s Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL) system and provide technical assistance and direction regarding EAGL.
Monitor grant activities and accomplishments and ensure compliance and fulfillment of grant and contract timeline and deliverables prior to reimbursement or closing the grant to ensure that grant funds have produced the most productive and credible clean air initiatives.
Conduct tracking and analysis of grant activities, including generating and reviewing active grant status reports to ensure compliance with grant agreement, regulations, policies and procedures.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:
- 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
- 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.
Nine (9) years of experience performing environmental-based work or work related to the essential functions and key activities of the position, which must include:
- Demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
- Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to perform work tasks
- Reviewing and understanding information to apply it to the work
- Assisting in research or data analysis
- Experience preparing and managing complex contracts such as Federal, State, and Local grant agreements.
- Fluency navigating systems of record such as EAGL or other platforms used to manage grant agreements.
- Demonstrated competency utilizing critical thinking to analyze and provide guidance to current regulations, policies, and procedures in the preparation of contracts, agreements, and procurements.
- Demonstrated competency using tools such as Microsoft 365 Applications to proactively manage grant closures, accurate purchase reports, documentation validation, and provide support to new staff and/or grantees.
Please Note:An Associates Degree will substitute for two years of the required experience.
A Bachelor Degree in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position will substitute for four years of the required experience.
A Bachelor Degree or above in any other field will substitute for two years of the required experience.
A Masters Degree involving major study in an environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or an academic discipline related to the duties of the of the position, totaling 6 years of educational credit plus 3 years of related experience as above.
Desired Qualifications:We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.
- Grant/loan and/or other related financial management experience.
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
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
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 Accommodationin the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?
- Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.govand 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 1-800-833-6384.
- 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 on 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 (such as 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 Contreras at: Andrew.Contreras@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.
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.
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
1-800-833-6384.
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.#LI-Hybrid
