Employer: Washington State Department of Ecology
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2019-2006P1123-10897
Division: Toxics Cleanup Program
Salary: Refer to job website
Location: Lacey, WA
Opening Date: 11/12/2019
Closing Date: Open until filled (initial screening date is 11/18/2019)

Job Description:

We are looking for candidates with strong team and project management skills, demonstrated success in technical writing and communication, and a desire to work collaboratively to develop policies and guidance that improve the process for cleaning up contaminated sites.

The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is looking to fill two Environmental Planner 3 positions. The positions will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

Please note: One position is permanent and the other is a project position.

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.

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.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at http://www.ecology.wa.gov/ and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Job Duties:

Accidental spills of dangerous materials and past business practices have contaminated land and water throughout the state. The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) works to remedy these situations, which range from cleaning up contamination from leaking underground storage tanks, to large, complex projects requiring engineering solutions. Our mission is to protect Washington's human health and environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution and supporting sustainable communities and natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.

Some of the key work activities for both positions are:

Expedited Voluntary Cleanup Program Planner (Environmental Planner 3) (Please note: this is a project position with an expected end date of June 30, 2021)

As an independent project manager responsible for guiding the development of the expedited process for the voluntary cleanup program. You will work independently and collaboratively with a TCP workgroup to develop policies, guidance, and rules that implement Substitute House Bill 1290. This work directly supports TCP's strategic goal to Clean Up Sites. In this position, you will get to develop policy and guidance, write rule language, manage projects related to the implementation of SHB 1290, and provide technical editing and communication support for your project's deliverables. You will also have the opportunity to work on strategic planning and performance management for the overall voluntary cleanup program.

Policy Unit Planner (Environmental Planner 3) (Please note: this is a permanent position)

As an independent project manager responsible for guiding the development of cleanup rules and policies you will work independently and collaboratively with senior technical staff in the policy and technical support unit and on the rule team. Key activities under TCP's strategic goal to Clean Up Sites that you will support include:

  • Development of policies and guidance through technical editing.
  • Internal and external communication during policy development and rulemaking.
  • Project management of the cleanup rule update and the development of other TCP policies including facilitating TCP teams and workgroups.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening date will be November 18, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before November 17, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.

Experience/Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills:

Required Qualifications:

  • A Master's degree or above with a major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, environmental policy, environmental studies, or closely related field
  • AND Two (2) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resources planning, policy development, or program development.
  • OR One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2 as long as the above degree has been obtained.
  • A Bachelor's degree in a field listed above or a natural science
  • AND Four (4) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resources planning, policy development, or program development.

Desired Qualifications: 

Professional experience in the following areas is desired:

  • Demonstrated success working in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated success with project management.
  • Experience resolving complex issues of conflicting interests using negotiations.
  • Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, SharePoint and Outlook.
  • Knowledge of and experience with toxic cleanup laws and regulations.
  • Experience with policy development.

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:

  • Must obtain and maintain a valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information:

Why work for Ecology?

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 the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

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

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help:

Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information

How to Apply:

In order to be considered, applicants MUST include the following documents as an attachment to their application:

  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills, and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.

Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume" may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of 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 at (360) 407-6186.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."

Other Information:

If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail [email protected]. Please do not call this number or 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 have specific questions about the position, please email Richelle Perez at: [email protected]. Please do not contact Richelle to inquire about the status of your application.

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.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.

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 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 1-800-833-6388.

Apply Online