Senior Diesel Program Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) (In-Training)
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a great fit.
The Air Quality Program (AQP) is looking to fill a Senior Diesel Program Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) (In-Training) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.
We are looking for applicants who are self-motivated, detail oriented, possess excellent people skills and strong project management skills, and are able to understand, translate and communicate technical information to a diverse audience.
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. Maybe you've seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov.
Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
Duties
The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQP) is to enhance and protect air quality in Washington State. The AQP's vision is clean, healthy air for all. Our goal is to identify, prevent, and reduce air pollution. A significant portion of the criteria pollutant, toxics and carbon air pollution in Washington is from mobile sources and diesel particulate matter is the toxic air pollutant most harmful to Washington citizens. This position supports the mission of the agency and the program by functioning as a statewide program expert for planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of programs to reduce criteria and toxic emissions from diesel exhaust.
Some of the key work activities of the Diesel Program Specialist include:
Develop, lead and oversee implementation of clean diesel programs, including:
- Develop and manage clean diesel projects, such as the Clean Diesel Grant Program and DERA program, and look for new project opportunities for reducing diesel emissions in the state.
- Provide input and expertise on diesel related emission mitigation projects, budget decision packages, and agency request legislation.
- Communicate technical information, plans, programs and projects for reducing diesel emissions to stakeholders and the public.
- Seek funding opportunities and partnerships for clean diesel projects in the public and private sectors.
Provide program technical and policy expertise on policies, programs and future strategic direction for reducing diesel emissions, including:
- Evaluate and advise program management on critical or emerging diesel emissions policy issues so that management can make timely and informed decisions.
- Develop and recommend innovative and strategic approaches to reducing diesel emissions consistent with federal, state and local needs.
- Develop and conduct critical technical analyses in support of the development and implementation of diesel emission reduction plans, programs, and projects.
This position is open until filled, with the initial screening on March 6, 2019. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before March 5, 2019. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Qualifications
The goal class for this position is an Environmental Specialist 5 (ES5). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 4 and the Environmental Specialist 5 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the ES4 level, they will be placed into a training program to become an ES5 within a specified period of time.
Required Qualifications:
At the Environmental Specialist 5 level – Pay range – 59 ($4688 - $6159)(goal classification)
A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND six (6) years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which includes two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.
OR
A Master's degree in one (1) of the above fields AND four (4) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.
OR
A Ph.D. in one (1) of the above fields AND three (3) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above.
OR
One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4, provided a degree in one of the above fields has been achieved.
AND
Two (2) years of professional-level experience working in air quality including diesel emission source issues, programs, and policies.
At the Environmental Specialist 4 level – Pay range – 55 ($4250 - $5574)(In-Training)
A Bachelor's degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND five (5) years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2.
OR
A Master's degree in one (1) of the above fields AND three (3) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2.
OR
A Ph.D. in one (1) of the above fields AND two (2) years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2.
OR
Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3, provided a degree as noted above has been achieved.
AND
One (1) year of professional level experience working in air quality including diesel emission source issues, programs, and policies.
Experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 can include assisting in any of the following areas: 1) performing field surveys or studies, 2) responding to complaints involving scientific or technical content, 3) preparing public meetings and hearings, 4) assistance with routine inspections or investigations requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 5) responding to routine inquires or requests for technical assistance involving scientific content, 6) special projects that are scientific in nature, 7) conducting routine sampling and testing analyses, interprets data, writing reports 8) performing basic sampling data review, 9) maintaining an environmental data base to support technical projects, 10) providing routine environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.
Experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 can include a combination of the following: 1) investigating and / or resolving complaints involving science or technology content, 2) performing inspections, 3) drafting technical evaluations and reports, 4) develops plans for researching information used for technical projects, regulatory or policy development, 5) plan and facilitate public meetings and hearings, 6) project work requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 7) providing technical assistance for complex scientific content and/ or support for implementing scientific content programs, 8) conducting tests, analyzing and evaluating data, 9) using environmental databases to support technical projects, 10) developing scientific studies and resource management plans, 11) providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.
Experience as an Environmental Specialist 4 can include a combination of the following: 1) Serves in the teaching, training and mentoring of junior staff. 2) Is assigned responsibility for more complex and difficult projects and permits. 3) Is assigned multiple regulatory responsibility. 4) Directs or coordinates non-agency employees at large spills or complex sites. 5) Represents agency and testifies at legal or public hearings or conferences. 6) Serves as a historical resource or technical expert in one or more subject areas. 7) Serves as project manager and coordinator on complex projects. 8) Project administration and environmental technical assistance on high priority environmental issues requiring technical expertise.
Desired Qualifications:
The following are preferred/desired qualifications for both the ES4 and ES5 classifications:
- Experience working with people on complex or controversial environmental issues.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Advanced research skills to collect, synthesize, and evaluate information, including documentation of sources.
- Demonstrated skill in analyzing environmental implications of strategies, policies, and plans.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Why work for Ecology?
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 the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life 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
Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information
Supplemental Information
Application Instructions:
In order to be considered, applicants MUST include the following documents as an attachment to their application:
- A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
- A resume outlining your professional experience.
- A copy of your college transcript(s). This may be an unofficial online transcript. It does NOT need to be a sealed, certified copy. HTML or PDF formats, or a screen print into Word are acceptable. Please do not paste text from the internet into Word.
Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.
Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume" may disqualify you from further consideration.
Department of 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 at (360) 407-6186.
If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."
Other Information:
If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or 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 have specific questions about the position, please email Nancy Pritchett at: npri461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Nancy to inquire about the status of your application.
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.
This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.
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 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.