Environmental Justice Evaluation Lead (Environmental Specialist 5)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen 

The Air Quality Program (AQP) is looking to fill the Environmental Justice Evaluation Lead (Environmental Specialist 5) position. This position will be based at our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. 

In this role, you will lead the criteria air pollution and health impact assessment components of the Climate Commitment Act. Working with a team of scientists and specialists, you will analyze emissions sources, collaborate with Department of Health staff on health impact analyses, and report on criteria pollution, health impacts and greenhouse gas emissions in overburdened communities.

Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations. 

Program Mission: 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. 

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to an 80% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, we will review applications on March 18, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before March 17, 2024. If your application isn't received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date. 

Please Note: We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made.
 
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 
 

About the Department of Ecology
 

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 and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan. 

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.
• 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.
 

Duties

What makes this role unique?

The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) 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 reducing toxic air pollution and working closely with the communities most affected by pollution. Engaging with these communities, promoting education about Ecology’s work, and listening to their input are critical if this effort is to succeed. 

This position will evaluate emissions in overburdened communities, coordinate technical assistance for identified air pollution sources in these communities, coordinate with local air agencies to identify emissions sources, and provide recommendations for criteria pollutant emission reductions as needed. In close coordination with the CCA Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist, this position will engage with overburdened communities, Environmental Justice Council and air pollution sources, sharing technical information and receiving information and feedback.
 
What you’ll do: 
 

• Coordinate and consult with Air Quality Program staff, the University of Washington, Washington State Department of Health, Ecology Office of Equity and Environmental Justice, and Local Air Agencies.
• Analyze air quality monitoring, criteria pollutant emissions, and environmental health impact data.
• Provide technical expertise to the development of the supplemental community engagement plan describing the steps Ecology will take to identify air pollution in overburdened communities.
• Prepare biennial air quality evaluations and inform recommendations for emission reductions needed to achieve targets.
• Facilitate and support creation of air quality targets for overburdened communities standards, and emission standards, or emissions limitations on criteria pollutants.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:
 

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

A total of ten years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience: Involving environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.
• Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field. 

 All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position: 

Possible Combinations

College credit hours or degree - as listed above.

Years of professional level experience - as listed above.

Combination 1

No college credit hours or degree.

10 years of experience

Combination 2

30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.

9 years of experience

Combination 3

60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).

8 years of experience

Combination 4

90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.

7 years of experience

Combination 5

A bachelor’s degree.

6 years of experience

Combination 6

A master’s degree.

4 years of experience

Combination 7

A Ph.D.

3 years of experience

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

All levels must include demonstrated commitment to: 

• Understanding and upholding commitments to Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, government-to-government relationships, inherent rights of indigenous people, and since time immemorial Tribal culture and history.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present findings and recommendations to diverse audiences.
• Planning programs or projects strategically designed for equitable process and outcomes.

 
 Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 
 

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License.

Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.  
 

• Training or experience with environmental justice, civil rights, social justice, or community engagement.  
• Professional experience in air quality or environmental/natural resource analysis, control, or environmental/natural resource planning.
• Experience with project management and leading teams or workgroups.
• Experience interpreting demographic and environmental data or familiarity with key EJ mapping tools and related data such as the Washington Environmental Health Disparities map or EPAs EJSCREEN.
• Environmental impacts of structural racism and health disparities (Environmental Justice) for certain communities.
• Experience using statistical analysis software tools such as R, SigmaPlot, ChemStat, Minitab, IGOR, or other data analysis software and air quality models.
• Experience with geographic information systems (GIS) software.
• Demonstrated skill in writing and preparing presentations and reports, and the ability to present technically complex information in a way that is understandable to a diversity of audiences.
• Experience working or collaborating with Tribal communities, indigenous people, communities of color, immigrant populations, or populations who are linguistically isolated, rural, or low-income.
• Comfort and familiarity discussing environmental and social justice, racism, and social and economic inequalities.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
 

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.

Note: References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s formal authorization. 

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

Why work for Ecology?

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.

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 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.

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 *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information 

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

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

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   
 

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. 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.

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.