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 (AQ) is looking to fill TWO Air Quality Planner (Environmental Planner 3) (In-Training) positions. The positions will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

The Air Quality Planner positions perform activities directed at meeting ambient air quality standards that protect public health and welfare. These positions will deal with a large amount of air quality data (monitoring, modeling and toxicology), various strategies for controls on sources of air quality pollution, and extensive, federal, state and local air quality rules, laws and policies. They will process and transform all of this information into a rule or an air quality plan while drawing upon technical experts, addressing stakeholders input, and following Agency’s priorities and management direction.

These positions will:

• Plan, direct, and coordinate rulemaking and State Implementation Plan (SIP) projects.
• Analyze options and background materials for use by program management, EPA, and stakeholders.
• Develop new or revise existing air quality rules to comply with state and federal requirements and to minimize health impacts.
• Develop SIPs required by the US EPA.
• Develop policies and provide written and oral recommendations to management for program and agency action.
• Ensure that the assigned projects are implemented in accordance with management direction and agency’s priorities and on schedule.
• Coordinate work of technical staff assigned to a project.
• Maintain communications with and among committees and with local air authority partners, regional organizations, public and private interests, and EPA.

We are looking for applicants who are able to process large amounts of technical and regulatory information, possess creative problem solving skills, are able to coordinate multiple projects and deadlines, someone who enjoys public speaking and possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills.

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.ecy.wa.gov.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

The Air Quality Program’s mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance the air quality of Washington to safeguard public health and the environment, and support high quality of life for current and future citizens.

As an Air Quality Planner, the positions may be assigned to rule writing or SIP development depending on program workload priorities. Below are tasks and responsibilities specific to rulemaking and SIP development as well as general tasks and responsibilities that apply to both rulemaking and SIP development.

Rulemaking:

• Independently coordinates planning, development, and implementation of rulemaking and policy related to all aspects of air pollution regulations.
• Develops and maintains working knowledge of rulemaking procedures, including but not limited to the Administrative Procedures Act, Ch. 30.05 WAC.
• Prepares all required documents for each phase of rulemaking, including, but not limited to, rule development plans, environmental checklists, written response to comments, implementation plans, technical reports, and air quality administrative regulations.
• Writes preliminary rule language for stakeholder and management consideration; consults and negotiates with groups internal and external to Ecology to reach a recommendation to management for the final rule language; and finalizes rule language to comply with and implement federal and state environmental statutes.
• Researches and analyzes policy and technical issues related to rulemaking.

SIP Development:

• Independently coordinates planning, analyses and development of submittal packages for State Implementation Plans.
• Develops and maintains working knowledge of the SIP development process.
• Prepares recommendations on attainment designation areas, develops documents for advisory committees, prepares correspondence for EPA, analyzes and reviews regulatory requirements, and drafts SIP submittal documents.
• Researches and analyzes policy and technical issues related to the SIP.
• Consults and negotiates with groups internal and external to Ecology to reach a recommendation to management for the SIP submittal.
• Coordinates and consults with EPA staff throughout the SIP development and submittal process.
• Works with planning staff, technical staff and management to define and analyze strategies to meet air quality goals. Assists economics and toxicology staff to assess costs and benefits of various strategies.

General tasks applicable to both rulemaking and SIP development:

• Builds knowledge on air pollution, health and environmental impacts; federal, state, and local air pollution reduction policies; and implementation of air pollution reduction programs.
• Holds public meetings and hearings.
• Represents Ecology on state and national committees.
• Tracks developments in federal air quality rules, regulations, and standards, and evaluates the impact of these changes for Washington State. Drafts comments on EPA proposals.

To broaden the candidate pool, we will consider candidates that qualify at the Environmental Planner 2 and 3 levels. Please read the qualifications section below to learn more about this exciting career growth and in-training opportunity.

The positions will remain open until filled, with the initial screening scheduled on October 22, 2015. To be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application and the required materials on or before October 21, 2015. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment at any time after the initial screening date.

Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Planner 3 level: Pay Range 55 – ($3934 – $5160) Monthly

A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis 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 scientific field.

AND

Two years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, natural resource, or public policy planning, and/or program development.

At the Environmental Planner 2 level: Pay Range 50 – ($3478 – $4562) Monthly

A Master’s degree or above with major emphasis 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 scientific field.

AND

One year of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

Desired Qualifications:

Applicants should have or be able to achieve quickly the following personal competencies expected for this position:

• Planning: Be able to identify tasks, activities, work plans and timelines needed to achieve key results and to organize and prioritize work accordingly to meet critical strategic goals and established timelines.
• Policy Development: Have a basic knowledge of policy development processes and an interest in further developing skills such as being able to identify issues, positions, and interests of various parties and craft strategies accordingly.
• Project Management: Effectively direct and integrate all aspects of a project, ensuring that work progresses toward achieving goals and objectives and meeting deadlines.
• Technical Writing: Be able to learn, understand, and communicate basic air quality science and technical information; be comfortable with data presented in graphical and tabular format, and be able to understand or learn statistical concepts and terminology.
• Meeting Facilitation: Facilitate productive stakeholder and project team meetings that meet your objectives, allow for decision making, and keep your project moving forward.

For immediate consideration, please apply online at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1258774