Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Cap-and-Invest Climate and Energy Policy Lead (Environmental Planner 5)within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program.
Location:
- Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
- Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
Schedule:
- This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
- A minimum of one day per week is required in the office, currently on Tuesdays for this team.
- Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline:
- Apply by May 28, 2025.
- This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after May 28th may not be considered.
As the Department of Ecology’s lead expert on climate and energy policy, you will help advance the State’s Cap-and-Invest program and related climate initiatives. You will drive the development of policies and guidance, drawing on deep knowledge of technical, economic, and policy aspects of state climate and energy programs — especially the Cap-and-Invest program, Climate Commitment Act, and other related policies. Your role will also involve identifying overlaps, conflicts, and opportunities among climate and energy programs with various state agencies to improve alignment, efficiency, and overall impact.
You will play an instrumental role in reviewing, analyzing, and developing state and federal legislative and regulatory policies. This includes conducting policy and fiscal analysis during the state legislative session, drafting legislative proposals, and meeting with legislators, legislative staff, and the Governor’s Office to advance initiatives that support and strengthen the Cap-and-Invest Program’s goals. It will also include analyzing and planning state response to changes in federal regulations and associated state responsibilities.
Other duties of the Cap-and-Invest Climate and Energy Policy Lead include:
- Use policy analysis and program expertise to develop and assess strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and applying related regulations.
- Develop regulatory measures, plans, and procedures for controlling greenhouse gas emissions, and prepare studies on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of proposed standards and control measures.
- Tackle complex, sensitive, and emerging issues involving new technologies, public concerns, government priorities, Tribal interests, overburdened community impacts, costs, and business perspectives.
- Guide the creation and review of policy and legislative proposals affecting Washington’s climate programs, and recommend practical, creative solutions for implementation.
- Analyze how federal and state laws, rules, and policies affect climate regulations, and perform evaluations to ensure compliance and support potential program linkage with other jurisdictions and develop regulations and other measures for achieving greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
- Design tools to compare technical and policy options, and provide scientific critique on measurement methods, policy interpretations, and proposals and input from a broad range of interested parties.
- Collaborate with subject matter experts, external parties, and Ecology management to identify challenges and develop effective and creative policy, technical, and administrative solutions.
- Engage with experts, interested parties, and researchers at the state, national, and international levels to gather information and technical analysis, and review external studies to support the integrity of the Cap-and-Invest Program.
- Consider environmental justice, Tribal, and general public concerns in the development and implementation of state climate policy, particularly in relation to the Climate Commitment Act and Cap-and-Invest program.
For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.
Required Qualifications:
A total of eleven years of experience and/or education in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; economics, finance, or business; law or public policy; environmental or natural resource planning, public administration, or public health; or other subjects or areas applicable to climate and energy policy, and/or emissions trading systems.
Examples of how to qualify:
- 11 years of experience.
- 10 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
- 9 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
- 8 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
- 7 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
- 5 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
- 4 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
- 2 years of experience as an Environmental Planner 4, at the Department of Ecology.
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:
- Experience working to address climate change in some capacity, including working on policies relating to climate and energy policy.
- An understanding of greenhouse gas emissions trading systems, including cap-and-trade style regulatory programs, greenhouse gas reduction programs and policies.
- Legal, statutory and regulatory analysis, including course work, degrees, and/or experience that may be relevant to greenhouse gas reduction programs and policies.
- Legislative experience in Washington, another state or at the federal level.
If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.
Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
Application Process
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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:
- Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
- Resume
Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.
For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.
Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
Need an Accommodation?
If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:
- Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
- If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.
Questions?
- For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Andrew Hayesat Andrew.Hayes@ecy.wa.gov.
- If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team atcareers@ecy.wa.gov.
About the Climate Pollution Reduction Program
The Climate Pollution Reduction Program's (CPRP's) mission is to implement policies and programs to reduce carbon emissions in the state of Washington so that the state meets its statutory greenhouse gas emission limits. The CPRP focuses long-term, requiring creative and strategic decision-making for implementation to achieve broad statewide and interstate success reducing carbon emissions in the state of Washington so residents have a healthy environment and climate.
The Cap-and-Invest Group (CIG) is responsible for the implementation and operation of Washington’s Cap-and-Invest Program, which employs market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective manner. As part of the Cap-and-Invest Program, businesses and entities are required to obtain allowances tied to their emissions, which can be bought, sold, and traded. The market for these commodities began in January 2023, and the proceeds are invested by the state in projects to decarbonize transportation and other sectors of the economy, promote clean energy, and advance equity and environmental justice.
About the Department of Ecology
As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
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.
We believe that DEIRis 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.
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 *Click here for more information
To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.
Equal Opportunity Employer: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, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.
Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.
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