About WSDOT
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is the steward of an integrated, multimodal transportation system that helps to ensure people and goods move safely and efficiently throughout the state. In addition to building, maintaining, and operating the state highway system, WSDOT operates the largest ferry system in the nation, manages the world’s longest floating bridge, and recently completed the world’s widest tunneling project. 
 
The Opportunity
WSDOT Environmental Services Office in Olympia, WA is currently seeking a Transportation Planning Specialist 5 to serve as the Senior Policy Specialist for Climate Change. The Environmental Services Office’s mission is to protect Washington’s environment and communities as part of operating and improving the state’s transportation system. This position reports to the Policy Branch Manager in the Environmental Services Office.  As the agency’s senior climate change policy expert, this position supports WSDOT’s efforts to provide clean and resilient transportation solutions. The position has responsibilities in several specialized, high profile, and complex policy areas affecting all transportation modes, including ferries, rail, freight, aviation, and highways. This position provides policy advice on both climate change mitigation and adaptation with a focus on the transportation sector. Climate change mitigation policy includes efforts to reduce transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions, promote alternative fuels, and conserve energy. Climate change adaptation policy includes efforts to lessen climate change impacts on transportation assets and operations. Climate change policy is a critical and rapidly evolving field affecting multimodal project delivery as well as agency operations. WSDOT’s policy work in this area requires a commitment to advancing social equity and environmental justice. 
 
What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Senior Policy Specialist for Climate Change will:

• Serve as senior policy expert for climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions, alternative fuels, energy, transportation system resilience to climate impacts, and related natural hazards (flood, sea-level rise, wildfire).  
• Serve as point of contact for WSDOT’s implementation of federal and state climate change laws and initiatives, including the Climate Commitment Act, Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and the State Energy Strategy. 
• Perform expert policy analysis including legislative assignments such as bill analyses, fiscal notes, legislative testimony, and review of notices of proposed rules.
• Represent the department on complex climate change issues at meetings with governor’s policy staff, legislative staff, and at public meetings.  
• Track emerging issues related to transportation climate mitigation and adaptation to identify strategic policy issues and inform decision making.
• Engage with technical experts, modelers, planners, and project teams both internally and externally to resolve policy issues, respond to inquiries, and prepare reports.
• Provide policy recommendations to multimodal transportation project delivery teams and others on precedent setting project decisions.  
• Coordinate WSDOT’s participation in the State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) Program to improve agency operations by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing solid waste and toxics.  

  
Qualifications
To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning/policy, public administration, public health, natural resource management, energy management, planning or related field. 
• Five (5) years of professional work experience in public policy, environmental, transportation, energy, or climate change fields. An advanced degree with emphasis in transportation, energy, environmental policy, planning or public administration or related field may substitute for two (2) years of professional work experience.
• Two (2) years of experience in a lead capacity.

This position also requires the demonstrated ability to: 

• Analyze environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
• Clearly communicate with a variety of audiences, with proficiency in English and the ability to produce high quality communication materials and reports (using software such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). 
• Build consensus and use effective conflict resolution techniques. 
• Lead and coordinate teams and work collaboratively as part of diverse work teams. 
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Knowledge of transportation infrastructure and planning.
• Professional work experience in environmental documentation, environmental justice, community resilience, and clean transportation. 
• High-level facilitative, collaborative decision making and marketing skills. 
• Successful project management experience.
• Familiarity with transportation sector’s climate mitigation strategies and climate change impacts in the Pacific Northwest.

 
Important Notes 

• This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions per business needs.
• By issuance of proclamation, the Governor of Washington State mandates that all employees who work for executive cabinet agencies (which includes the Department of Transportation) must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This is a condition of employment with WSDOT. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes; however, accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.  
• Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, this position may telework full-time. Once the restrictions are lifted, this position will be required to work in the office at least part-time. WSDOT supports a flexible work schedule with partial telework opportunities, depending on business needs and prior supervisor approval. 

 
Why WSDOT 

• Work-Life Balance – We offer flexible work schedules that allow you time for your life outside of this excellent opportunity.
• Paid Leave – In addition to 10 paid holidays, full-time employees earn a minimum 14 paid vacation days per year!
• Tuition Assistance – Permanent employees have several options for assistance with education expenses, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges throughout the state, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.  
• Plan For Your Future – WSDOT offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes a variety of healthcare options. Employees also have their choice of state retirement programs, and much more. Go to State Benefits for more information. 

 
Check out this video to learn more: Why WSDOT? 

How to Apply
Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the “Work Experience” portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible. 
To be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that further explains your qualifications and indicates why you believe you are a viable candidate for this role.
• Contact details for a minimum three (3) individuals who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the “References” section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment. 

 
Please click the “APPLY” button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.
 
WSDOT is an equal opportunity employer. We value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, as well as people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed Recruiter.
 
WSDOT does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov 
 
Contact us
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Amanda Strebeck, at strebal@wsdot.wa.gov . Please be sure to reference TPS 5 Senior Policy Specialist for Climate Change #04073 in the subject line.