Environmental Justice Planner (Environmental Planner 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Environmental Justice Planner (Environmental Planner 4) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program.

Location Options:

This position can be based at any of the following duty stations. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station.

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA.
• Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA.
• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.
• Southwest Region Office in Lacey, WA.

Note: If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County. Salary range: $6,571 - $8,835 monthly.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by July 14, 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 July 14th may not be considered.

Duties

As the first-ever Environmental Justice Planner for the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP), you will lead critical efforts to plan, analyze, and set the direction for the program’s environmental justice compliance and priorities. You will be both a planner and a collaborator, working with our program staff, Ecology’s Office of Equity and Environmental Justice (OEEJ), statewide workgroups, Tribal staff and organizations, and community members. 

You will be responsible for advancing and integrating environmental justice obligations and equity strategies across the program, in alignment with Washington’s HEAL Act and Title VI nondiscrimination compliance obligations. You’ll work closely with Ecology’s OEEJ to implement various activities involving environmental justice performance management, tracking and reporting. In addition, you’ll support community engagement and Tribal consultation on important issues in climate policy. You will have the unique opportunity to lead CPRP’s Environmental Justice (EJ) analyses and assessments, develop and share best practices with program staff and other EJ planners across Ecology, and be a part of reducing climate pollution and serving and connecting with communities across Washington. 

What you will do:

• Lead and support the EJ implementation within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program’s daily work.
• Adapt and integrate Washington’s EJ law, referred to as the HEAL Act (Chapter 70A.02 RCW) into CPRP protocols and practices.
• Work with Ecology’s OEEJ  to consult on program activities that may have disproportionate impacts on overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, to find ways to work with the communities and reduce those impacts.

Consult on and draft new policies and guidance in areas such as methods to increase community engagement in public processes and incentivizing community participation in outreach and decision-making efforts.

Provide consultation across the program on engaging with and connecting to populations or communities who are historically marginalized, communities of color, immigrants, linguistically isolated, rural, low-income, Tribal, indigenous, or who have disabilities and access needs. Elevate EJ and civil rights concerns to program management and provide guidance on evaluating impacts to communities and navigating controversial issues. 

• Build and share expertise in EJ, civil rights, and access to help expand understanding and grow capacity across CPRP.
• In partnership with the Office of Equity and Environmental Justice, help ensure the program meets Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance obligations. 

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Nine years of experience and/or education in environmental justice, health equity, environmental or natural resource policy or planning, public health, urban planning, sociology, environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, geography or closely related field, including at least two years of demonstrated experience in two or more of the following areas: 

• Technical analyses using demographic, environmental justice (EJ), and health disparities data to evaluate equity and EJ impacts and benefits to overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.
• Working with communities and populations who experience environmental and health disparities, immigrant or linguistically isolated communities, rural or low-income populations, or Tribes and indigenous people. 
• Advocacy and policy work on environmental justice, health equity, and equitable economic development.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or Ph.D.
• 1 year of experience as an Environmental Planner 3, at the Department of Ecology.

Desired Qualifications:

An understanding of environmental justice research, demographic data, and equity focused assessments.

Knowledge and practice of collaborative problem solving, conflict resolution, and participatory planning.

Understanding and confidence discussing environmental and social justice, racism, and social and economic inequalities.

Lived or professional experience addressing environmental injustice and working with communities of color, Tribes, indigenous people, or low-income populations on environmental and social justice issues.

Knowledge of ESRI’s Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies, spatial data design and analyses, and creation of data, web maps, and applications through ESRI software.

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, and attach:

• 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” may 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 Joshua Grice at Joshua.Grice@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 Climate Pollution Reduction Program's (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.

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.