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Community Outreach and Environmental Education 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

Do you want to help bring real change for better air quality? 
 
The Air Quality Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist position. This position is located in our Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WAUpon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
 
As the Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist, you will work to help reduce the health and environmental impacts of air pollution in the ambient air through community outreach and public education. In this role, you will be responsible for responding to public concerns and inquiries by providing educational materials and technical assistance, issuing burn permits, and conducting field surveillance of point and non-point sources of air pollution. You will have the opportunity to develop sustainable partnerships to prevent worsening air quality in local communities and manage enforcement projects.
 
Agency and Program Mission: The mission of the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington's environment, and promote the wise management of our air, land, and water for the benefit of current and future generations. Our goals are to prevent pollution; clean up pollution; and support sustainable communities, and natural resources. The Air Quality Program promotes a high quality of life for current and future generations with a clean healthy sustainable environment, livable communities, and a vibrant economy.

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is required to work in the office 2-3 days per week. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. Looking ahead, Ecology has recently updated the agency policies on telework and flexible and compressed work schedules. Applicants with questions about position location options, telework, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” 
 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of September 28, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 27, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.


About the Department of Ecology
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 embraces 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.

Our commitment to DEIR
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. 

 
Duties
What makes this role unique?
As the Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist with the Central Region Office, you will have the unique opportunity to oversee the development and implementation of the program’s public education plan and community outreach strategy, while supporting the region’s woodstove, outdoor and agricultural burn programs. In addition to creating smoke management-related educational and outreach materials, you will also communicate with community members on burn violations, complaints, and enforcement actions, coordinating with local and state fire protection, solid waste, public health, and local law enforcement agencies.

What you will do: 
  • Coordinate and/or implement workshops, conferences, seminars, public meetings and/or hearings as initiated by the Air Quality Program Central Region Office (CRO).
  • Coordinate Air Quality Program information such as rule revisions, financial assistance, and technical reports with employees, managers, community leaders, and the general public.
  • Make oral presentations of environmental information to various groups; provide training to educators within CRO.
  • Implement agricultural burning, outdoor burning, and indoor burning programs. Review burn permit applications and issue permit decisions.
  • Work collaboratively with external stakeholders such as Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Forest Services (USFS), WA Department of Agriculture, local clean air agencies, and local governments to share information and resources to help manage impacts of smoke during prescribed burning events.
  • Respond to complaints, conduct routine investigations and inspections, and monitor compliance. Communicate with non-complying permittees to achieve compliance. Make recommendations regarding, and assist with preparation of enforcement actions. Appear and testify before Pollution Control Hearing Boards (PCHB) and courts on matters arising from regulatory activities and permit issuance.
  • Provide technical assistance, expertise, and general education over the phone and in person. Encourage alternatives to outdoor burning for better air quality. Meet with stakeholders to explain and implement air quality laws, regulations, goals and policies, and best management practices. 
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.
A total of seven years of experience and/or education as described below:
  • Experience: Involving environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, environmental education, community outreach, or communications activities.
  • Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, education, communications, or closely related field.
All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:

Possible CombinationsCollege credit hours or degree – as listed aboveYears of professional level experience – as listed aboveCombination 1No college credit hours or degree7 years of experienceCombination 2I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits6 years of experienceCombination 3I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree)5 years of experienceCombination 4I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits4 years of experienceCombination 5 A Bachelor's Degree or higher3 years of experience
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

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

  • Knowledge of environmental legislation and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels.
  • Conduct field inspections, investigations, or reviews of environmental information to provide technical assistance, check compliance with burning permits and regulations, and resolve smoke complaints.
 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 on 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.
  • A writing sample.

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 (such as 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 Sanjay Barik at: Sanjay.Barik@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Sanjay 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.