The Department of Ecology is hiring!

Senior Legislative Policy Advisor (Environmental Planner 5)

$4653.00 – $6105.00 Monthly

$55,836.00 – $73,260.00 Annually

 

Are you an independent, self-starter who is motivated to do the right thing? Do you like to dive deep to assess situations? Are you a person who is dedicated to finding workable solutions to problems? If so, then the Senior Legislative Policy Advisor (Environmental Planner 5) position may be the best opportunity for you!

The Air Quality Program’s (AQP) mission is to protect public health and the environment from the effects of air pollution and climate change. The AQP is currently looking to fill a Senior Legislative Policy Advisor (Environmental Planner 5) position in Lacey, WA.

 

This non-permanent position serves as the strategic legislative planning, analysis and response consultant for the Air Quality Program through the 2015 session to help the program effectively communicate with policymakers and focus on strategic priorities to most efficiently protect public health and the environment.  The position serves as the senior consultant to the air quality program manager and the air quality program leadership team and advises senior agency management, the Governor’s policy office, other local,state and federal agencies, business, environmental and civic groups on high profile air quality related public policy objectives.

The position is responsible for coordinating the development, assessment and formulation of positions on legislative policy and budget proposals related to air quality.  The position does not manage staff, but carries statewide responsibility for developing and communicating air quality implications of proposed policies, plans and performance outcomes, and represents the program with constituents, stakeholders, and policymakers at all levels of government.

 

In consultation with air quality and senior agency management, the position formulates agency and state air quality related positions, policy responses, and influences legislative decisions.  The position reports to the Air Quality Program manager.  The position develops policy, regulatory, and fiscal note recommendations related to legislative actions and coordinates the institutionalization of those recommendations in concert with the air quality program leadership team, air quality program manager, and agency intergovernmental and legislative affairs, and other involved senior agency managers and staff.  The policies, legislation and regulations that may be addressed have broad, statewide effect on citizens, businesses, and local jurisdictions and may have regional or national impact.  The position monitors the development of state air quality related laws and advises management on appropriate courses of action for the program and agency.

 

The position works on politically sensitiveand environmentally complex air quality related policy issues.  Issues, options, analyses and solutions are brought to the air quality leadership team and senior agency management.  Final decisions are usually made by the legislature, air quality program manager, intergovernmental affairs, the agency director, or collectively by senior agency management.  The position regularly advises the air quality program leadership team and senior agency management and coordinates with supervisors and senior staff regarding the effect of policies, legislation and regulatory actions.  The position is responsible for determining the best methods for influencing, evaluating and developing air quality related policy legislation.

 

Some of the key work activities include:

Legislative Affairs:

 

  • Reviews, analyzes, evaluates, and monitors proposed state and potential federal legislation for impacts on air quality, the agency, program, and local air authorities; writes legislative analyses on pending state legislation; Develops background materials, positions, educational materials and briefing materials for AQP management, legislative committee staff, legislators and interest groups.

 

  • Coordinates AQP response to legislative questions, issues, policy bills and fiscal notes.

 

  • Prepares and may deliver legislative testimony.

 

  • Makes presentations to senior agency management, other agencies, leaders of environmental, business and public interest groups on proposed laws, policies; their related environmental, health and cost effects, and management options to respond to the proposals.

 

  • Prepares position papers, policies, policy analyses and proposals on air quality related management, regulatory, cross-media, pollution prevention and budget issues as requested by air quality program manager, other senior agency management or the governor’s policy office related to actions and discussions during the 2015 session.

 

  • Through the 2015 session evaluates transportation, energy and pollution transfer implications of air quality related bills, decisions or proposals to ensure that air quality related actions support and complement the broad set of program, agency and Governor’s public policy goals.

 

Other duties as assigned

  • Assists AQ program manager with special air quality related projects and assignments as needed.
  • Projects may include performance measurement and tracking; assessment of federal policies and actions in relation to state policy objectives, and serving as the program representative on interagency teams or outside advisory groups.

 

Requirements Qualifications:

  • Master degree or above in natural or physical sciences or planning, environmental law, environmental management, environmental policy, public administration with an environmental emphasis or closely related field AND five years of professional experience in environmental planning, policy or programs.
  • Ability to organize and respond quickly, accurately and sensitively to multiple assignments of complex nature involving competing priorities, interests and political dynamics.
  • Effectively express ideas and information to a wide variety of interests and stakeholders appropriate to the complexity of the issues and knowledge and understanding of the intended audiences.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of air quality laws, regulations and policies.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology. All employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the WFSE will, as a condition of employment, either become members of the WFSE and pay membership dues or, as non-members, pay a representation fee as described in the CBA, no later than the 30th day following the effective date of this CBA or the beginning of their employment.

 

For immediate consideration, please email your resume and cover letter to Stuart Clark at: stuart.clark@ecy.wa.gov.