See full job details at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3135237/climate-commitment-act-environmental-justice-specialist-environmental-specialist

This is an exciting time in Washington as Ecology implements new legislation addressing climate change. Everyone deserves clean air to breathe and a sustainable future that addresses the challenges of climate change. The Air Quality Program works to monitor air quality and reduce air pollution to protect the health of everyone who lives, works, and plays in Washington. We also work to protect Washington’s future by tracking our state’s efforts to cut the carbon pollution that drives climate change and implementing carbon reduction programs.

The Air Quality Program (AQP) is looking to fill the Climate Commitment Act Environmental Justice Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) position. This position will be based at our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA., but will work with communities in different parts of the state.

Help protect Washington’s future: You can help to protect our communities from air pollution and protect our state’s future from the threat of climate change. As part of the Climate Commitment Act, a new law designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Washington, the Legislature established a linked program to monitor air quality in communities that today bear a disproportionate burden from air pollution, and take steps to reduce that pollution.

In this role you will implement criteria pollutant emission and health impact reduction components of the Climate Commitment Act and community engagement planning requirements of the Healthy Environment for All Act. These new acts present a new framework for identifying and reducing criteria pollutant health impacts and this position leads those efforts.

The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQP) is to protect, preserve, and enhance the air quality of Washington to safeguard public health and the environment and support high quality of life for current and future generations. The Air Quality Program’s vision is clean, healthy air for all of Washington. Our goal is to identify, prevent, and minimize air pollution.

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, collaborative, with leadership who embrace the value of people.
 
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. 
• A wellness program that offers education, and fitness classes; an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

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.
 
During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is maintaining less than maximum building occupancy, and requiring masks, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.
   
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of July 14, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before July 13, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

What makes this role unique?

The Climate Commitment Act is one the most important Washington environmental laws in the last 50 years. Along with reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions, the Climate Commitment Act charges Ecology with also reducing toxic air pollution, and working closely with the communities most affected by pollution. Engaging with these communities, educating them about Ecology’s work, and listening to their input are critical if this effort is to succeed. 

This position will evaluate emissions in priority communities, coordinate technical assistance for identified air pollution sources in priority communities, coordinate with local air agencies to identify emissions sources and provide recommendations for criteria pollutant emission reductions as needed. Engagement with overburdened communities, Environmental Justice Council and air pollution sources, sharing technical information and receiving information and feedback is a main component of the position.

What you’ll do: 

• Coordinate and consult with Air Quality Program staff, the University of Washington, Washington State Department of Health, Ecology Environmental Justice Team, the Environmental Justice Council, and Local Air Agencies.
• Analyze air quality monitoring, source emission, and environmental health disparity data.
• Develop criteria for identifying overburdened communities.
• Create and implement the supplemental community engagement plan describing the steps Ecology will take to identify and address air pollution in overburdened communities as required by the HEAL Act.
• Prepare biennial emissions evaluations and develop recommendations for emission reductions needed to achieve targets.
• Review legislation and propose rules for air quality standards, emission standards, or emissions limitations on criteria pollutants.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

10 years of professional experience in air quality analysis, control, or planning.

Please see table below for details.

OR

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field and six years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.  

OR 

A Master’s degree in one of the above fields and four years of professional- level experience as required above which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.

OR 

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields and three years of professional-level experience as required above which includes two years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.

OR 

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4 at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s License

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 Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

• Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and 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 1-800-833-6388.
• 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 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 to 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 (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 Chris Hanlon-Meyer at: chris.hanlon-meyer@ecy.wa.gov.  Please do not contact Chris to inquire about the status of your application. 

To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov