Climate Change: Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Fuel Sector Planner (Environmental Planner 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Climate Change: Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Fuel Sector Planner (Environmental Planner 4) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP).

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. This position is expected to be in the office for a full workday every Tuesday.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by June 23, 2026. 
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

As the Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Fuel Sector Planner supporting the Cap-and-Invest Program, you will help shape how Washington brings new fuel suppliers and purchasers into the program under recent legislation. In this role, you will help design the systems and tools that make it easier for fuel companies to understand their requirements and report accurate greenhouse gas data. You will collaborate with partners across state agencies and the fuel industry, serve as Ecology’s in-house expert on fuel supply chains, and play a key role in keeping emissions data reliable and transparent. If you enjoy problem-solving, building new processes, and working on high-visibility climate policy, this position offers a chance to make a real impact.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and rollout of new processes to identify, register, and support fuel suppliers and purchasers covered under new legislation, including building new procedures and operational structures for coverage determinations.
• Develop and maintain an accurate public roster of covered fuel entities and clearly document how coverage decisions are made.
• Coordinate with state agencies, local governments to support implementation of statutory fuel-procurement requirements. Verify that fuel suppliers are registered and provide guidance to partners on compliance expectations.
• Support rulemaking efforts, including drafting rule language, responding to public comments.
• Create clear, user-friendly technical guidance, forms, and training materials to support fuel suppliers, purchasers, and other entities affected by this new legislation.
• Serve as the program’s expert on fuel sector supply chains, fuel movements, and greenhouse gas accounting methodologies needed to determine Climate Commitment Act coverage.
• Partner with the information technology and data teams to develop and improve reporting systems, databases, and tools.
• Provide technical support to reporters, review complex reporting questions, and help ensure timely, complete, and accurate emissions data.
• Travel to fuel supplier or purchaser locations as needed to conduct audits, validate information, or support compliance through on-site reviews.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Nine years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Strategic Thinking – Ability to assess complex policy, operational, and cross-program considerations to ensure implementation approaches align with organization mission and long-term climate goals.
• Communication, Collaboration & Coordination – Skill in clearly explaining technical, regulatory, and data concepts and in working effectively with internal teams, regulated entities, local governments, state and federal agencies, and other external partners to support shared understanding, aligned implementation, and successful compliance.
• Equity & Public Service – Ability to apply principles of equity, fairness, and transparency when working with regulated entities and communities to ensure the Cap-and-Invest Program is implemented responsibly and consistently.
• Problem Solving & Judgment – Experience making sound decisions when faced with incomplete, complex, or ambiguous information to ensure requirements are applied appropriately and consistently.
• Regulatory & Statutory Analysis – Ability to interpret complex legislation and rules and turn those requirements into clear, workable processes, tools, or guidance for program implementation.
• Advanced Fuel Sector & Greenhouse Gas Expertise – Skill in analyzing intricate fuel supply chains, transportation pathways, blending practices, and greenhouse gas accounting methodologies to determine accurate coverage and support high-level program decisions.
• Data Systems & Reporting Tools –  Ability to work with technical teams to define program needs, improve system functionality, and ensure data systems support accurate reporting, registration workflows, and compliance activities.
• Rulemaking & Guidance Development – Ability to draft and refine rule language, procedures, and technical guidance to ensure that program requirements are clear, consistent, and easy for regulated entities to follow.

Education involving a major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

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:

• Advanced Fuel Sector Knowledge – Familiarity with fuel supply chains, transportation pathways, blending practices, or related fuels-sector operations that would support quicker understanding of coverage responsibilities and reporting needs.
• Regulatory Application & Interpretation – Experience applying statutes, rules, or greenhouse gas reporting requirements in a regulatory, compliance, or program environment.
• Greenhouse Gas & Carbon Market Proficiency – Exposure to greenhouse gas emissions reporting, fuel-sector reporting protocols, or carbon trading or cap-and-invest program structures that would support onboarding in this role.
• Experience with Reporting Platforms – Familiarity with using environmental or regulatory reporting systems or data platforms that would support quicker onboarding to Ecology’s reporting tools.
• Program Implementation & Problem Solving – Experience helping implement program requirements or solving practical implementation challenges in a regulatory or technical program setting. 

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

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 the following required documents:

• 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 Eli Levitt at Eli.Levitt@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.

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, 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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