Salary: $73,260.00 – $108,804.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-AQ4990-07491
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Air Quality
Opening Date: 06/16/2023
Closing Date: Continuous

The Air Quality Program (AQP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Senior Cap-and-Invest Market Monitor (Financial Examiner 4) (In-Training) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. As a Senior Cap-and-Invest Market Monitor, you will play a critical role supporting the successful long-term performance of Washington’s cap-and-invest program by helping ensure that our market stays transparent and free of fraud through monitoring of auctions and trading in allowance and other related markets. With your finance and/or econometric skillset, you’ll assess the market’s health with an eye towards Washington’s statutory commitments to decarbonization, and provide input for policy discussions on an ad-hoc basis. Working with Ecology’s Attorney(s) General, you’ll also investigate potential rule violations and support follow up enforcement actions if needed to maintain the market’s integrity. Through your collaboration with Ecology staff, State agencies, and other cap-and-invest jurisdictions, you’ll cultivate a deep understanding of the nexus between emissions allowance, energy, and financial markets. You’ll become a subject matter expert on cap-and-invest market behavior and serve as a resource to the rest of the CCA (Climate Commitment Act) Implementation Group as we work together to develop, implement, and maintain this powerful emissions-reduction program. The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQP) is to protect and improve air quality in Washington. The Air Quality Program’s vision is clean, healthy air and climate for all of Washington.  

Note: This position offers a career path and on-the-job training. This position allows you to progress through the Financial Examiner (FE) field and achieve the goal class of an FE4. Candidates will be considered at the FE3 and FE4 levels, depending on their qualifications. For salary levels for each, please see the qualifications section.

The Climate Commitment Act Implementation Group is leading the design and implementation of Washington’s cap-and-invest program, which employs market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a cost-effective manner. 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 began in January 2023, the first auction was held in February 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.
 
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. In this position as a senior market monitor, you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to surveil the Cap-and-Invest Program. The position safeguards auctions and the market program, which is a top priority of both the agency, Legislature and Governor’s Office.
 
What you will do: 

• Contribute to analysis of entity behavior within the cap-and-invest program with a focus on activities that change the Washington allowance market and related commodities and futures markets.
• Support potential market-related linkage work. In the event of linkage, work on the coordination of market-monitoring activities with linked program(s).
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of finance, econometrics, and/or related fields. Apply concepts from these fields in your market monitoring work.
• Provide support to other CCA Implementation Group staff as entities join the cap-and-invest market, such as providing analysis of corporate association groups that allow entities to join the market. 
• Mentor, cross-train, and serve as strong positive example to other auctions and market unit staff.

The goal class for this position is Financial Examiner 4 (FE4). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the FE3 and FE4 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the FE3, they will be hired in at that level and placed into a training program to become an FE4 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 Financial Examiner 3 level: Salary Range 66 ($6,105-$8,216 monthly) (in-training)
Option 1:

• A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• Three years of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector.

Option 2:

• A Master’s degree involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• Two years of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector.

Option 3:

• A Ph.D. involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• One year of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector.

At the Financial Examiner 4 level: Salary Range 70 ($6,746-$9,067 monthly) Goal Class
Option 1:

• A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• Five years of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector. 

Option 2:

• A Master’s degree involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• Four years of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector. 

Option 3:

• A Ph.D. involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• Three years of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector.

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.

• Relevant certifications (finance training, CPA, PMP, data analysis / statistics training, market analysis, or related certificates).
• Experience working to address climate change, including experience related to greenhouse gas (GHG) markets.
• Previous experience in finance, electricity, fuels, GHG, and related markets.
• Quantitative skills gained in schooling or experience in statistical analysis and/or mathematics and/or programming and modeling. 

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.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4071854/senior-cap-and-invest-market-monitor-financial-examiner-4-in-training