Job Description

The Air Quality Program (AQP)  within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Zero Emission Vehicle Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) position.

This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

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

Do you want to help Washington become the first state in the country to decarbonize transportation? Are you passionate about zero emission cars, trucks, and buses, and helping everyone get access to clean transportation? Do you want to help us tackle our largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state? Apply to become our newest Zero Emission Vehicle Specialist. You’ll represent Ecology on the newly formed Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council, an all-of-state-government effort to equitably electrify transportation and transition new vehicle sales to 100% zero emission by 2030.

The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQP) is to protect and improve air quality in Washington. The Air Quality Program’s vision is clean, healthy air and climate for all of Washington.

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position will be required to work in the office 1-2 days per week. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.”

About the Department of Ecology

• 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.

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.

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?

You will be a liaison between Ecology and the Interagency Electric Vehicle Coordinating Council, which means you will get to dive deep into all of Ecology’s transportation electrification programs to get a good understanding of them so you can represent them at the Council. You’ll keep Ecology staff informed about Council activities and make sure they have opportunities to contribute and comment. You’ll play a key role in developing a scoping plan to transition 100% of new vehicle sales to zero emission by 2030, centering the complex needs and diverse perspectives of overburdened communities, Tribes, urban and transportation planners, vehicle manufacturers and dealers, environmental groups, and others. Your work will be highly visible and impactful, and closely followed by Ecology staff, the Legislature, and the public.

What you will do:

• Support Council priorities, including developing a statewide transportation electrification strategy, identifying funding opportunities, and coordinating grant funding criteria across state agencies. Work to ensure that grant and budget equity protocols reflect obligations and guidance under the state’s environmental justice law (Chapter 70A.02 RCW) and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and align with environmental justice priorities in the Ecology Strategic Plan.

• Conduct policy and market research and provide outreach to vehicle and infrastructure manufacturers and utilities.
• Represent Ecology’s needs and policy priorities to the Council, and keep Ecology staff informed of Council efforts.
• Provide policy support and subject matter expertise to Ecology rulemaking efforts related to transportation emissions and zero emission vehicles

• Stay up to date on strategies, technologies, and products to electrify the transportation sector. Analyze their potential value to Washington recommend programs that promote transportation electrification.
• Promote public awareness of zero emission vehicle technologies; work with outreach staff to develop information campaigns.

Qualifications

This is an In Training opportunity: The goal class for this position is an Environmental Specialist 5 (ES5). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements at the ES3, ES4 and the ES5 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements at the ES3 or ES4 level, they will be hired at that level and will be placed in a training program to become an ES5 within a specified period of time.

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.
 
 At the Environmental Specialist 3 Level: Salary Range 49:($4,013-5,268 Monthly)
Six (6) years of education and/ or experience:

• Education: Involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field
• Experience: In air quality, transportation electrification, environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.

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

OR
One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 at the Department of Ecology.

At the Environmental Specialist 4 Level: Salary Range 55:($4,656-$6,105 Monthly)
Nine (9) years of education and/ or experience:

• Education: Involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field
• Experience: In air quality, transportation electrification, environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.

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

OR
Two (2) years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology.

At the Environmental Special 5 Level: Salary Range 59:($5,136-$6,746 Monthly)(Goal Class)

Ten (10) years of education and/ or experience:

• Education: Involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field
• Experience: In air quality, transportation electrification, environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.

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

OR
One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4 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.

• Knowledge and understanding of state and federal laws, policies on transportation emissions reduction and zero emission vehicles
• Advanced research skills to collect, synthesize, and evaluate information, including documentation of sources

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: [email protected] 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 [email protected]. 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 Joel Creswell at: [email protected]. Please do not contact Joel to inquire about the status of your application.

To request the full position description: email [email protected]

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.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Electric Vehicles. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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