Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 3

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Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 3

Salary
$42,264.00 – $55,476.00 Annually
Location
Yakima County – Union Gap, WA
Job Type
Full Time – Permanent
Department
Dept. of Ecology
Job Number
2018-AQ3616-06054
Closing
Continuous
Description
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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, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.

Are you a creative thinker? Do you enjoy helping others to understand complex information? Are you skilled in translating complex information into an easy to understand message? If so, join a team that shares your interests!

The Air Quality Program (AQ) is looking to fill a Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist 3 position. This position will be located in our Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.

The Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist 3 position helps solve a variety to problems through education and outreach efforts. The focus is generating awareness to manage air pollutants mainly fine particle air pollution from smoke to prevent nonattainment in five Central Washington counties. Fine particle air pollution, or PM2.5, is the most serious environmental issue impacting the air quality in Central Washington. PM2.5 levels have broad and well-documented impacts on public health and safety, as well as local economies. When PM2.5 levels reach certain thresholds, EPA designates the area as nonattainment.

We are looking for applicants who possess excellent communication skills and are able to write clearly and succinctly. Someone with good organizational skills to manage an ever changing workload. The successful candidate will have strong analytical skills to manage and analyze data. This position requires adaptability and flexibility.

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

Duties
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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.

Some of the key work activities for the Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist 3 are:

  • Acts as the program’s education representative and advocate.
  • Develops and administers grants and contracts for the prevent non-attainment funding and woodstove buyback funding program to local governments, other state agencies, and environmental non-government organizations.
  • Conducts meetings and field trips representing the agency in contacts with various groups such as local air advisory committees, health districts, and regional clean air agencies, etc.
  • Conducts research of environmental, economical, demographic, financial or other nature for the Section to help develop effective education and outreach strategies for improved air quality.
  • Implements agricultural burning, outdoor burning, and indoor burning programs in the Central Region.
  • Reviews permit applications and issues burn permit decisions.
  • Makes and communicates daily burn ban decisions.
  • Provides technical assistance to better manage smoke over the telephone and in person.
  • Maintains awareness of, and encourages the use of, alternatives to outdoor burning.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be June 26, 2018. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before June 25, 2018. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, education, communications or closely related field

AND

Three (3) years of professional experience involving environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, environmental education, community outreach, or communications activities; or equivalent education/experience.

A Master’s degree In one of the above fields will substitute for one year of the required experience.

OR

A Ph.D. In one of the above fields.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated ability to understand environmental legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local level.
  • Demonstrated ability to review and understand complex technical documents and prepare enforcement documents.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply negotiation skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to interpret meteorological models along with ambient air monitoring data to document and defend daily burn/no-burn decision.
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct statistical analysis of environmental data. Classify and compile technical environmental data, performing basic calculations and statistics, and projecting data trends. Maintain and utilize computerized environmental databases
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct field Inspections, investigations, or reviews of environmental Information to provide technical assistance, check compliance with burning permits and regulations, and resolve smoke complaints

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Must possess 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 ForgivenessTuition 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 attach the following documents as an attachment to their application:
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required/desired qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.
  • Two writing samples.
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 Sanjay Barik at: saba461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Sanjay 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. 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.

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.

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with the agency human resource office for specific benefit information.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.  There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.  Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.  Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.  To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems‘ web site.
 
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
 
Vacation (Annual Leave)
You begin accruing vacation starting your first month of employment. Since we value your loyalty, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Vacation accrues for full-time employees per WAC 357-31-165.

Holidays

Full-time employees are entitled to eleven* paid holidays:

HOLIDAY
DATE
New Year’s Day
January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday
Third Monday in January
Presidents’ Day
Third Monday in February
Memorial Day
Last Monday in May
Independence Day
July 4
Labor Day
First Monday in September
Veterans’ Day
November 11
Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day
December 25
Personal Holiday
Employee’s selection each calendar year

*Employees who are members of certain Unions are entitled to an additional personal leave day of their choice. Please refer to specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

 
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave may be used for reasons included in WAC 357-31-130.
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information.
01
How did you hear about this job posting?

  • Community Based Organization
  • Community / Technical College
  • Ecology Employee
  • Ecology Recruiter
  • Ecology Jobs Page
  • Facebook
  • Job Board
  • Job Fair
  • LinkedIn
  • Newspaper
  • Other State Agency
  • Other Website
  • Professional Association
  • Twitter
  • University Job Board
  • WorkSource
  • www.careers.wa.gov
02
If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, University Job Board or WorkSource location then please share which one.
03
Please select the statement that best describes your level of education in the environmental, physical or natural sciences, education, communications, or closely allied field.

  • I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.
  • I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).
  • I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.
  • I have a Bachelor’s degree.
  • I have a Master’s degree.
  • I have a Doctorate degree.
  • None of the above statements apply.
04
Please indicate your degree and major.
05
Which statement best describes your professional experience involving environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, environmental education, community outreach, or communications activities.

  • I have at least one (1) year of experience.
  • I have at least two (2) years of experience.
  • I have at least three (3) years of experience.
  • I have at least four (4) years of experience.
  • I have at least five (5) years of experience.
  • I have at least six (6) years of experience.
  • I have at least seven (7) years of experience.
  • I have more than seven (7) years of experience.
  • None of the above statements apply.
06
Please provide additional information to support your response to question 5. The following information is needed: position title(s), specific duties, and periods of employment. Make sure your response specifically addresses the qualification above. An incomplete answer, including “please see resume” may remove you from further consideration.
07
Regarding the experience you listed in number 6, please highlight your professional experience in environmental education, community environmental outreach, or closely related communication activities.
08
Please describe your experience explaining technical information to the public.

Required Question

Agency
State of Washington
Address
View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504

Phone
View Posting for Agency Contact