Climate Pollution Reduction Senior Legislative Planner (Environmental Planner 5)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Legislative Planner (Environmental Planner 5) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP).

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office, during the Legislative Interim. Based on business need, the successful candidate may be required to be in the office more frequently.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by October 8, 2025.
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

Join us as a Senior Legislative Planner for the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP). Are you passionate about driving bold climate action and consulting on environmental policy on a state and national level? We are seeking a Senior Legislative Planner to coordinate the development of highly complex and impactful environmental policies and legislation that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and advances our state’s climate goals. In this role, you will:

• Provide strategic guidance to program leadership on legislative initiatives at both the state and federal levels.
• Track, evaluate, and coordinate bill analyses with environmental scientists and subject matter experts across the program.
• Represent CPRP with legislators, Tribal governments, senior state and federal leadership, and key interested parties.
• Research, write, review and conduct analysis related to state and federal legislation and regulatory development in support of climate policy efforts.
• Draft, review and provide testimony for CPRP to legislative committees, as appropriate.
• Develop presentation materials for state and federal legislators, interested parties, Tribal leaders and staff, and the public, working closely with the Program Communications Manager.
• In concert with the CPRP Deputy Program Manager, oversee the development of agency request legislation and budget decision packages for CPRP.
• Perform collaboration and outreach by representing CPRP in maintaining communication and coordination with Tribal governments, adhering to protocols for appropriately interacting with Tribal governments.

This is a dynamic, highly-visible position that requires excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills. If you are looking for the chance to shape the laws and policies that will define our state’s climate leadership for decades to come, we invite you to apply.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Eleven years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development conducting research and analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations. Experience must include all of the following:
  • Two or more years working for or with a legislative body.
  • Two or more years working for or with Tribal governments. 
• Experience may be attained concurrent to the other experience listed above.
• Education involving a major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, political science, government relations, environmental science, environmental studies, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 11 years of experience.
• 10 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 9 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 8 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 4 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with:
  • Tracking legislation.
  • Developing, drafting, and preparing legislation.
  • Preparation and coordination of bill analyses.
  • Drafting fiscal notes.
  • Developing budget decision packages.
• Knowledge of:
  • State and federal greenhouse gas reduction laws and policies.
  • Washington State climate laws and policies.
  • State and federal clean vehicle laws and policies.
• Knowledge of and experience with Washington's Government-to-Government protocols.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

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.

Application Process

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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions. Applications that fail to include the following supplemental documents will not be advanced to the hiring manager:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” will be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Tamara Jones at Tamara.Jones@ecy.wa.gov. 
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Climate Pollution Reduction Program

The principal department strategic priorities and goals that relate to the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP) include: reduce and prepare for climate impacts; prevent and reduce toxic threats; and deliver efficient and effective services. The CPRP’s mission is to implement policies and programs to reduce carbon emissions in the state of Washington so that the state meets its statutory greenhouse gas emission limits. The CPRP focuses long term, requiring creative and strategic decision making for implementation to achieve broad statewide and interstate success reducing carbon emissions in the state of Washington so residents have a healthy environment and climate.

Under the supervision of the Deputy Program Manager, the Senior Legislative Planner position serves as CPRP's senior policy consultant for state legislative, federal, and Tribal issues. The position provides leadership, guidance, and support on policy and legislative initiatives. This position coordinates the development and implementation of highly complex environmental programs, policies, and legislation. As the Senior Legislative Planner, you will be at the forefront of helping advance equitable, science-based climate solutions that make a tangible difference in our communities, and our environment.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology 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. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

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 Forgiveness, Tuition 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 *Click here for more information 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

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.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

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.

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