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, Ecology is a good fit.
The Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (SPPR) program is looking to hire an Oil Notification Rule Writer (Environmental Planner 4). This position will be housed in our HQ Building in Lacey, WA.
This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of the future of the oil transportation safety within the State of Washington. This position leads a rule writing process to develop regulations relating to the notification of Ecology regarding the movement of oil by rail and pipeline. This includes development of a stakeholder process to solicit input.
We are looking for applicants who are organized and have strong project management skills, have excellent written and verbal communications skills, are diplomatic, have strong leaderships skills and work well with others in a team environment.
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 Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (SPPR) program’s mission is to protect Washington’s environment, public health, and safety through a comprehensive spill prevention, preparedness, and response program. The Spill’s Program’s vision is to prevent, prepare for, and respond aggressively to oil spills; to be our best for the State of Washington. Our Spills goal is “zero spills”.
The Oil Notification Rule Writer position is responsible for preparing Spills Program regulations relating to notification to Ecology on the movement of oil by railroad and pipelines companies (implementing the new initiatives required under the Oil Transportation Safety Act, HB 1449 from the 2015 Legislature).
Some of the key work activities include:

• Compiling, analyzing and reporting on data relating to rule development.
• Writing position papers for the Program.
• Writing rule development plans, implementation plans and technical reports regarding rules.
• Developing draft rule language based upon recommendation of technical leads, legal and policy experts, and in consultation with local governments, tribes, and stakeholders.
• Developing other documents in support of the rulemaking process as required by agency and code reviser procedures, including filing forms, documents in response to public comments.
• Consulting with the AAG for the legal analysis and the Rules and Accountability Unit for the economic analysis required to conduct rule making.
• Developing stakeholder involvement process.
• Representing the Program at public meetings, on field trips conducted for rule development, and for rule stakeholder committees when convened.
• Preparing presentations on oil spill rules for managers, program staff, and outside groups such as industry, community stakeholders, first responders, and local governments.
• Keeping the public informed of opportunities for commenting on rules.
• Establishing a process for reporting of aggregated oil movement data for rail, pipeline, facilities and vessels, including required quarterly reporting and more frequent automated reporting to local responders and local governments.
• Working with external stakeholders and internal Program data management staff to achieve this.
• Is responsible for adhering to agency policies, procedures and guidance for managing electronic files, paper records, and email in order to meet records retention and to be able to respond to public disclosure requests and adhering to general IT security protocols.

Please note this is a Project position that is funded until June 30, 2017.
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be January 21, 2016.  In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before January 20, 2016. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Required Qualifications:

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 field
AND
Three years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
OR
One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
The position normally works in a relatively sedentary open office environment, working with computers and other office equipment for long periods of time. This position will also travel to meeting locations throughout the state and possibly out of state.

Hold and maintain eligibility and certification to permit travel to and from Canada, including passport or Enhanced Driver’s License.

Hold and maintain a valid Washington driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.

For immediate consideration, please apply online: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/1332211/oil-notification-rule-writer-environmental-planner-4