Salary: $5,479.00 – $7,368.00 Monthly
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Schedule:  This position is currently hybrid with remote and in-office options. There may be occasional required in-office time as needed. (This may move to more in-office time in the future).

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) provides environmental and safety oversight of approved facilities. EFSEC provides one- stop permitting for large energy projects in Washington, including nuclear facilities, thermal energy generation, fossil fuel, wind, and solar power plants, green hydrogen, biofuel refineries, oil refineries, natural gas storage fields, clean energy product manufacturing facilities, storage facilities, and qualifying pipelines and transmission lines. 

Who they are:
EFSEC was created in 1970 to provide “one stop” siting and permitting for large energy projects. By establishing the Council, the state legislature centralized the evaluation and oversight of large energy facilities within one state agency. The legislature cited the necessity of balancing the need for new energy facilities with the broad interests of the public. As part of the balancing process, the Council must take into account protection of environmental quality, the safety of energy facilities, and concern for energy availability.

The Council’s responsibilities are listed in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 80.50. These responsibilities include siting large natural gas and oil pipelines, thermal electric power plants that are 350 megawatts or greater and their dedicated transmission lines, new oil refineries or large expansions of existing facilities, and underground natural gas storage fields. Energy facilities of any size that exclusively use alternative energy resources (wind, solar, geothermal, landfill gas, wave or tidal action, or biomass energy) can opt-in to the EFSEC review and certification process as with certain electrical transmission lines. EFSEC’s authority does not extend to hydropower plants or thermal electric plants that are less than 350 megawatts.

For facilities under its jurisdiction, EFSEC has been delegated authority by the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency to issue permits under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Federal Clean Air Act. EFSEC also ensures that effective and coordinated nuclear emergency response plans are in place and satisfactorily tested for the Columbia Generating Station nuclear power plant located on the Hanford Site in central Washington.

What you will be doing:
EFSEC siting and monitoring activities help build and sustain livable, vibrant communities that meet the economic, environmental and social needs of their citizens. You will be processing any applications received and you will be performing professional review and compliance monitoring of alternative energy facilities under the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council’s (EFSEC) jurisdiction.

Who we are looking for:
You need to be comfortable and good at task management.  This position requires prioritizing and re-prioritizing duties, as there are different and multiple steps in the process that require your attention at each stage.

Why you would want this position:
In many like-positions, people will site or oversee compliance, but in this role, you get to do BOTH!  This is a unique position that allows you to work with many more stakeholders than what’s traditionally “normal” in similar positions.  You will get to work with different projects in different areas in the state.  This is a different, dynamic role that will keep you interested and motivated. The issues may be similar, the facilities might be a little different from each other, but each may have different concerns that you get to assist with. 

Working Conditions:

Work is performed both in the primary office, but also in the field at various locations throughout the state in all weather conditions. This position may spend time traveling during and outside normal work hours throughout the state, including overnight stays. Field duties may require incumbent to wear protective/safety clothing and equipment (which may include hearing protection, eye protection, protective coveralls, hard hat and safety shoes).

Some of what you’ll enjoy doing includes:

• Develops information through analysis regarding the siting of alternative energy facilities under review. 
• Reports to the EFSEC siting and compliance manager, before being presented to the EFSEC Council for their consideration in making recommendations to the Governor. 
• Coordinates exchange of information between applicant and consultants to ensure a thorough application review.
• Directs the work of others working under contract to EFSEC in conducting State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental review to support lead agency decision; and the development of  air emission, water discharge, wetland, and other specific permits associated with energy facility siting and compliance monitoring. 
• Works with private consultants and state and local agencies to make recommendations for developing the scope of work necessary for implementing compliance monitoring activities at EFSEC facilities. 
• Provides evaluations and makes recommendations related to the review of contractor reports used for the development of permits for energy facilities under EFSEC jurisdiction.
• Presents oral and written reports on siting and compliance matters to EFSEC Managers and Council Members.
• Makes recommendations to EFSEC Managers and Council Members on siting and compliance issues for consideration and action by the EFSEC Council.
• Provides technical assistance to EFSEC Managers and the EFSEC Council by answering questions and preparing reports on compliance monitoring and application review issues.
• Conducts EFSEC facility quarterly audits through the review of facility records and by performing site inspections in coordination with Washington State agencies.
• Prepares written contractor evaluation reports and facility audit reports for review by the EFSEC manager. 
• Assists EFSEC manager and other staff in the development of interagency and independent consulting services contracts. 
• Assists in the drafting of contracts by evaluating facility compliance technical requirements and by reviewing scopes of work provided by contractors.  
• Reviews invoices and contractor reports for consistency with contract requirements.

Qualifications

**Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for education for both levels

REQUIRED:

Environmental Planner 2:

Range 52:  $4,497 –  $6,046 per month

A Master’s degree in engineering, natural or physical science, environmental planning or a closely allied field

AND

1 year of professional experience in environmental review, environmental permit regulation, or a closely allied field.

OR

A Bachelors degree in engineering, natural or physical science, environmental planning or a closely allied field 

AND 

Two (2) years of professional experience in environmental review, environmental permit regulation, or a closely allied field. 
**Equivalent experience may substitute for education totaling six (6) years.

Energy Facility Site Specialist:

Range 60:  $5,479 to $7,368 per month

AND

Three years of professional experience in environmental review, environmental permit regulation, or a closely allied field.

A Bachelors degree in engineering, natural or physical science, environmental planning or a closely allied field 

AND 

Four (4) years of professional experience in environmental review, environmental permit regulation, or a closely allied field. 

**Equivalent experience may substitute for education totaling eight (8) years.

Position Specific Competencies:

• Decision Making Judgment – Recognizes problems and responds, systematically gathers information, sorts through complex issues, seeks input from others, addresses root causes of issues, makes timely decisions, can make difficult decisions, uses consensus when possible, communicates decisions to others. Recognizes limits of responsibility and the need to communicate effectively with EFSEC staff and Managers.

• Analytical Skills – Able to use data and information in a clear and rational manner to assess and understand issues regarding applications or potential applications and to verify completeness of applications and compliance with rules and regulations. Able to use good judgment to determine what records, rules, policies or procedures are responsive to an inquiry or analysis. Use judgment and critical thinking to infer appropriate meaning and form conclusions necessary to resolve the problem or issue. Knowledge of current economic, social. political, and environmental issues, laws, trends, policies and programs affecting the siting of energy facilities.

Core Competencies:

• Customer Focus – Responsive to both internal and external customers. Works with customer to identify needs; assumes responsibility for own role in meeting those needs. Ensures commitments to customers are met. Receptive to customer feedback.

• Results Focus – Accepts personal accountability for individual results or share of team results. Manages workload and interpersonal relationships to achieve results: prioritizes tasks appropriately, overcomes obstacles, works with others as necessary, and meets deadlines and quality standards.

• Communication Skills – Demonstrates communication skills (reading comprehension, writing, listening, speaking) appropriate to the position. Shows respect and courtesy in interpersonal communications.

• Adaptability/Flexibility – Open to new ideas. Responds constructively to change and stressful situations. In consultation with supervisor, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.

• Self-Development – Demonstrates proactive learning. Keeps knowledge and skills up-to-date. Solicits and accepts constructive feedback. Seeks developmental assignments to improve skills. Turns challenges into learning opportunities.

PREFERRED:

• Knowledge of current economic, social, political and environmental issues, laws, trends, policies and programs affecting the siting of energy facilities.

• Experience working with complex environmental issues.

• Negotiation Skills – Conducts positive negotiations, ability to compromise, handles conflicts, seeks common ground, articulates own and other goals, stays focused on positive outcome.

• Project Management – Establishes project goals, milestones and procedures, defines roles and responsibilities, acquires project resources, coordinates projects throughout the organization, monitors project progress, manages multiple projects.

To Apply

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting; 
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education; 
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4100758/energy-facility-siting-specialist-in-training