Chemical Action Plan Developer

  • Washington State Department of Ecology
  • Lacey, WA
  • Feb 01, 2022
Full time Public Health Scientific Government Strategy Strategic Planning

Job Description

An image without description


Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  



Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Chemical Action Plan Developer (Environmental Planner 4) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA, and is eligible for a telework/in-office hybrid schedule. You will have the opportunity to telework the majority of your week, and should live within a commutable distance to our Lacey office for in-person meetings and activities.
 
In this position, you will have the opportunity to develop the plans that will guide the reduction in use and exposure to toxic chemicals. You will play a critical role in protecting the people and the environment of Washington State from the impacts of toxic chemicals.

The mission of the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program (HWTR) is to protect Washington’s residents and environment by reducing the use of toxic chemicals, safely managing dangerous waste, preventing new contaminated sites, and cleaning up contamination.
The HWTR vision is to be national leaders in minimizing and eliminating the impacts of toxic chemicals and hazardous waste.
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.
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. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • 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. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.  Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of February 22, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before February 21, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date. 

Duties

An image without description

What makes this role unique?

There is growing public health concern regarding the use of everyday consumer products that contain chemicals of concern. In fact, the largest source of chemical pollution is not coming from point sources like smokestacks or sewer pipes, but from the combined slow and steady release of chemicals from consumer products.

The HWTR Program enforces Washington's toxics laws, including the Dangerous Waste regulations that many businesses need to comply with. We also offer technical assistance to businesses to reduce or eliminate their use of hazardous chemicals, work to identify safer chemical alternatives, support the development of green chemistry, and test consumer products for toxic chemicals.  


What you will do: 

As a senior planner, you will be responsible for the development of Chemical Action Plans (CAPs) and the more streamlined Action Plans (APs).
 
CAPs and APs identify the potential health and environmental effects of persistent, bio-accumulative, and toxic (PBTs) chemicals or other chemicals of concern, and recommend strategies to reduce or eliminate those impacts.
 
Ecology and Washington State Department of Health (Health) work together to develop CAPs and AP’s. The goal is to comprehensively assess the environmental and health effects of PBTs and chemicals of concern. A majority of the work involves active engagement and work with industry, tribes, local governments, and environmental groups in developing the plans.
 
 To do this, you will:

  • Convene a multi-disciplinary team between Health and Ecology, as well as a CAP/AP Advisory Committee. Provide project management and policy planning support to these teams.
  • Develop working relationships with chemical manufacturers, nongovernmental organizations, local governments, tribes, state or federal agencies, and impacted communities. This may involve handling highly charged public meetings in a respectful manner, and using other techniques to engage in meaningful dialogue beyond what is required in statute or rule.
  • Research literature and peer reviewed scientific papers on hazardous chemicals, and research hazardous chemical manufacturers websites for product information.
  • Produce draft and final CAP/AP reports. Seek technical peer review, and coordinate with management to develop policy recommendations and budget needs.
  • Support the implementation of recommendations made by the CAP or AP.

Qualifications

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


Option 1:
 

  • A Bachelor’s degree with a major emphasis in environmental or natural resource planning, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
  • Five (5) years of experience in environmental or natural resource planning, or program development.

Experience may include a combination of the following:

  • Developing complex environmental documents such as Chemical Action Plans, and Environmental Impact Assessments.
  • Rule development.
  • Communicating technical or legal information effectively to audiences with varying levels of expertise or knowledge of the subject. 
  • Implementing a broad public process that includes building and maintaining relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders (including historically underserved and underrepresented communities, communities of color, Tribes, and low-income communities).


 Option 2:
 

  • A Master's degree with a major emphasis in environmental or natural resource planning, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.
  • Three (3) years of experience in environmental or natural resource planning, or program development.

Experience may include a combination of the following:

  • Developing complex environmental documents such as Chemical Action Plans, and Environmental Impact Assessments.
  • Rule development.
  • Communicating technical or legal information effectively to audiences with varying levels of expertise or knowledge of the subject. 
  • Implementing a broad public process that includes building and maintaining relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders (including historically underserved and underrepresented communities, communities of color, Tribes, and low-income communities).



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

  • Experience working with Chemical Action Plans173-333 WAC or Safer Products for Washington Chapter 70A.350 RCW.
  • Experience assessing the environmental or health impacts of hazardous chemicals. This may include environmental toxicology, human health toxicology or environmental chemistry.
  • Experience with toxics use legislation and/or program development. 
  • Experience with rulemaking projects or major environmental policy issues.


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 on 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.
  • Three professional references.


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 Nathan Lubliner at: Nathan.Lubliner@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Nathan 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. 

Occupations

Environmental Protection-Conservation, Strategic Planning-Intelligence, Town-City Planning

URL

Salary

$65,928.00 - $86,484.00 Annually

Listing Logo