Environmental Justice Planner (Environmental Planner 4)

 Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill an Environmental Justice Planner (Environmental Planner 4) position. This position is located in one of the following locations:  

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.
• Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
• Eastern Region Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.

Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Please Note: If the final location of this position is determined to be in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA, there will be an additional 5% pay increase due to its location in King County. In this instance the salary range will be $6,380 - $8,578 per month.

We are excited to hire the Climate Pollution Reduction Program’s first-ever Environmental Justice Planner. In this role, you will lead critical efforts to plan, analyze, and set the direction for the program’s environmental justice initiatives and activities. You will be both a planner and a collaborator, working with our program staff, Ecology’s Office of Equity and Environmental Justice, statewide workgroups, Tribal governments and community leaders. In this role, you will provide leadership for the Climate Pollution Reduction Program in:

• Environmental justice strategic planning and practices
• Equitable service delivery
• Implementation of Washington’s Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act
• Title VI nondiscrimination compliance 

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

Program Mission: 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.

Tele-work options for this position:  This position will have flexibility of a hybrid schedule, empowering work from home and office, providing less time in traffic and shrinking your carbon footprint. This position will be eligible for up to a 90% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, 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: 

•  Apply by February 11, 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 February 11th may not be considered.

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.

Our commitment to DEIR

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?

As the Environmental Justice Planner for the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP), you will be responsible for advancing and integrating environmental justice obligations and equity strategies across the program, in alignment with Washington’s HEAL Act and Title VI nondiscrimination compliance obligations. You’ll work closely with Ecology’s Office of Equity and Environmental Justice to implement various activities involving community engagement, Tribal consultation, environmental justice performance management, tracking and reporting. 

You will have the unique opportunity to lead CPRP’s Environmental Justice (EJ) analyses and assessments, develop and share best practices with program staff and other EJ planners across Ecology, and be a part of reducing climate pollution and serving and connecting with communities across Washington. 

What will you do? 

• Lead and support the implementation of EJ strategies within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program’s daily work.
• Adapt and integrate Washington’s EJ law, referred to as the HEAL Act (Chapter 70A.02 RCW) into CPRP protocols and practices.
• Work with Ecology’s Office of Equity and Environmental Justice to consult on program activities that may have disproportionate impacts on overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, to find ways to work with the communities and reduce those impacts.
• Consult on program activities that may have disproportionate impacts on overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, to find ways to work with the communities and reduce those impacts. 
• Consult on and draft new policies and guidance with the Office of Equity and Environmental Justice in areas such as methods to increase community engagement in public processes and incentivizing community participation in outreach and decision-making efforts.
• Provide consultation across the program on engaging with and connecting to populations or communities who are historically marginalized, communities of color, immigrants, linguistically isolated, rural, low-income, Tribal, indigenous, or who have disabilities and access needs. Elevate EJ and civil rights concerns to program management and provide guidance on evaluating impacts to communities and navigating controversial issues. 
• Build and share expertise in EJ, civil rights, and access to help expand understanding and grow capacity across CPRP.
• In partnership with the Office of Equity and Environmental Justice, help ensure the program meets Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance obligations. 

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 nine years of experience and/or education in environmental justice, health equity, environmental or natural resource policy or planning, public health, urban planning, sociology, environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, geography or closely related field, which must include at least two years of demonstrated experience in the field of environmental justice and/or health equity.

Experience may include but is not limited to: 

• Technical analyses using demographic, environmental justice, and health disparities data to evaluate equity and environmental justice impacts and benefits to overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.
• Working with communities and populations who experience environmental and health disparities, immigrant or linguistically isolated communities, rural or low-income populations, or Tribes and indigenous people. 
• Advocacy and policy work on environmental justice, health equity, and equitable economic development.

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

Possible Combinations: College credit hours or degree - as listed above: Years of required experience - as listed above

Combination 1; No college credit hours or degree; 9 years

Combination 2; 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits; 8 years

Combination 3; 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree); 7 years

Combination 4; 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits; 6 years

Combination 5; A Bachelor's Degree; 5 years

Combination 6; A Master’s Degree or Ph.D.; 3 years

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3, at the Department of Ecology.

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

• An understanding of environmental justice research, demographic data, and equity focused assessments.
• Knowledge and practice of collaborative problem solving, conflict resolution, and participatory planning.
• Understanding and confidence discussing environmental and social justice, racism, and social and economic inequalities.
• Lived or professional experience addressing environmental injustice and working with communities of color, Tribes, indigenous people, or low-income populations on environmental and social justice issues. 
• Knowledge of ESRI’s Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies, spatial data design and analyses, and creation of data, web maps, and applications through ESRI software.

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

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.

Supplemental Information

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 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 (such as 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 Joshua Grice at: Joshua.Grice@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Joshua 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.  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. 

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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