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Program Contracts and Grants Specialist




Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Air Quality Program (AQP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Contracts & Grants Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

As the Program Contracts and Grants Specialist, you will report to the AQP Budget Manager and support the Program’s goal to provide clean, healthy air for all of Washington by managing grants for local core, diesel soot reduction, wood smoke reduction and federal grants, and supporting new climate legislation contracts and grants.
 
In this position, you will coordinate with the project managers in reviewing and assessing grant applications and assist the Financial Unit Team and project managers to develop recommendations to management for proposed grantee selection and award amounts.

The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQP) is to protect, preserve, and enhance the air quality of Washington to safeguard public health and the environment and support high quality of life. The federal Clean Air Act requires all states to have statewide operating permit programs for businesses and industries that are the largest sources of air pollution. An air operating permit contains all the permit requirements that apply to an air pollution source. 

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embrace the value of people. 

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • 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.


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.
 
Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.
 
Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.
 
Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.
 
Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
 
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. 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of February 11, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before February 10, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
 
Duties

What makes this role unique?

In this position you will be a key member of the Air Quality Program Financial Unit and will run procurements, core, woodsmoke reduction, federal, and climate-related grant programs, and ensure that the program’s Financial Unit provides accurate, transparent, and timely information that adheres to applicable federal, state, and agency policies at all times, while maintaining high-value professional relationships with internal and external partners. This position acts as a program expert in contracts, agreements, and procurements and works with program staff and management to assist them in understanding regulations, policies, and procedures in the preparation of contracts, agreements, and procurements.
 
 What you'll do: 
 
  • Manage and coordinate the grant application process and pre-application announcement, including resolving issues, for assigned grant programs so that potential applicants are well-informed, final awards are as equitable and as wide spread as possible, and grant spending can begin in a minimal amount of time.
  • Provide assistance to regional offices and recipients on budgetary design/planning and contractual requirements, including but not limited to: grant agreements, payment requests/progress reports, amendments, and closeout processes.
  • Serve as a liaison between program and local air authorities regarding grant processes and implementation. 
  • Develop, negotiate, implement and monitor terms of agreements for AQP contracts, resolve issues that arise as part of the contract process, work with agency Contracts and Grants Unit, the Attorney General’s Office, and other agencies and vendors to insure compliance and fulfillment of contract timelines and deliverables. 
  • Establish working relationships with technical and subject matter experts in Ecology programs related to AQP grant proposals or projects, and coordinate grant development and oversight activities with these individuals.

Qualifications

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.

The goal class for this position is an Environmental Specialist 4 (ES4). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Environmental Specialist 2 & 3 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the ES2 or the ES3 level, then they will be placed into a training program to become an ES4 within a specified period of time.

At the Environmental Specialist 2 level: Salary Range 45: (3,535-4,627 Monthly) 

A total of Five (5) years of experience and/or education as described below.

  • Professional level experience in: Environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which may include a combination of the following:
  • Environmental permit development and review.
  • Environmental inspections or enforcement activities.
  • Scientific studies, surveys or scientific analysis.
  • Technical assistance for grants, contracts, and loans.
  • Interpretation of policy and environmental technical assistance.
  • Education: involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

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


At the Environmental Specialist 3 level: Salary Range 49: (3,887-5,102 Monthly)

A total of Six (6) years of experience and/or education as described below.

  • Professional level experience in: Environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which may include a combination of the following:
  • Environmental permit development and review.
  • Environmental inspections or enforcement activities.
  • Scientific studies, surveys or scientific analysis.
  • Technical assistance for grants, contracts, and loans.
  • Interpretation of policy and environmental technical assistance.
  • Education: involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

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


At the Environmental Specialist 4 level: Salary Range 55: (4,509-5,913 Monthly)

A total of Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below.

  • Professional level experience in: Environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning, which may include a combination of the following:
  • Environmental permit development and review.
  • Environmental inspections or enforcement activities.
  • Scientific studies, surveys or scientific analysis.
  • Technical assistance for grants, contracts, and loans.
  • Interpretation of policy and environmental technical assistance.
  • Education: involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position at the ES4 Level:


OR

Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 
  • Must complete Department of Enterprise Services’ Washington State Contract Management 401 training modules (or within 90 days of employment).


Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

  • Grant and loan or other related financial management experience.

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: careers@ecy.wa.gov 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 careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not 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 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 (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 Pete Siefer at: Pete.Siefer@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Pete to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

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:

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 LinkedInTwitterFacebookInstagram 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.