Greenhouse Gas Data Integration and Modeling Scientist (Natural Resource Scientist 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Greenhouse Gas Data Integration and Modeling Scientist (Natural Resource Scientist 3) position 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.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by September 15, 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 the date above may not be considered.

Duties

As the Greenhouse Gas Data Integration and Modeling Scientist, you will serve as the go-to expert on statewide greenhouse gas emissions analysis.  Developing and using innovative methodologies, you will implement the transition of the state's greenhouse gas inventory from one based primarily on disaggregated federal data to one based on Washington state-derived data. You will establish robust inventory protocols ensuring integration of timely emissions data from multiple analysis streams to provide historical and forecast modelling at the statewide scale for economically defined sectors. Integrating diverse data streams, establishing rigorous QA/QC protocols, and producing defensible historical and forecast models at sector and statewide scales, your work will directly inform legislative reporting, policy evaluation, and scenario analysis, ensuring Washington’s greenhouse gas accounting meets the highest standards of accuracy, transparency, and integrity.

What you will do:

• Regularly update and improve methods and processes and data management for greenhouse gas inventory.
• Identify critical and emerging deficiencies in statewide greenhouse gas emissions analysis and propose recommendations for improvement to program management.
• Review available greenhouse gas inventory training opportunities and make recommendations to management on training for program staff.
• Collaborate with Climate Pollution Reduction Program Information Technology section experts to design, implement, and maintain applications related to work activities. Evaluate databases/inventories for policy or regulation development; assess new, changing or emerging requirements for databases/inventories; may work with other programs or agencies on database/inventory requirements.
• Prepare professional reports and presentations in area of subject matter expertise. 
• Quantitatively model current greenhouse gas sources and/or sinks using quality assurance and quality control processes.
• Perform uncertainty analysis for data streams in the greenhouse gas inventories.
• Conduct assessments of quantifiable greenhouse gas reductions and co-benefits.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Eight years of experience and/or education as described below:

Professional research experience in data science and climate science and/or energy studies and/or greenhouse gas inventory. Experience must include:

• Demonstrated research experience with climate science and/or energy studies and/or greenhouse gas inventory

• Demonstrated experience in database management, quantitative modeling, and/or statistics

Experience must include demonstrated competence in quantitative modeling and programing including:

• Ability to create and apply custom functions in R
• Ability to break processes into modules for independent work and revision
• Version control
• Documenting process and method
• Testing and debugging functions, modules, and processes 
• Cleaning and scraping data from various file formats
• Ability to translate data models among platforms (e.g. from Excel into R)

Education in a field related to environmental science and/or energy studies and/or data science.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 8 years of research experience.
• 7 years of research experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of research experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 5 years of research experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of research experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of research experience AND a Master’s degree in data science and climate science and/or energy studies and/or greenhouse gas inventory.
• A Ph.D. in data science and climate science and/or energy studies and/or greenhouse gas inventory.

Desired Qualifications:

Demonstrable skills in: 

• SQL
• Python
• Statistical analysis

 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.

Supplemental Information

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 Anthony Abbott at Anthony.Abbott@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 at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Climate Pollution Reduction Program

The Climate Pollution Reduction Program’s (CPRP) mission is to implement policies and programs to reduce carbon emissions to meet the state’s greenhouse gas emission limits. The CPRP focuses long term to create innovative solutions and policies to guide Washington and set an example for other states seeking to reduce their climate impact. Located within the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Unit, the Greenhouse Gas Data Integration and Modeling Scientist supports Washington’s attainment of net zero emissions by 2050. 

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 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.

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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