Clean Energy SEPA Review Associate Planner

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen The Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Clean Energy SEPA Review Associate Planner (Environmental Planner 3) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. As part of our transition to a low-carbon economy, Washington state will see many new proposals for siting clean energy projects in our state. In this position, you will play an important role in the environmental review of those clean energy proposals. You will help Ecology prepare Statement Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) reviews when Ecology is the SEPA Lead Agency for Clean Energy projects. You will contribute to that review by focusing primarily on internal coordination with Ecology environmental Programs. Agency Mission: The mission of the Department of Ecology's is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. Program Mission: The mission of the Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program is to create community conservation partnerships to protect and restore our shorelands, wetlands, and floodplains. Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 80% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in "other information." Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, we will review applications on March 13, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before March 12, 2024. If your application isn't received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date. Please Note: We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made. 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 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. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan. 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. 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. What makes this role unique? As an Associate Planner for Statement Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review of Clean Energy siting proposals, you will provide expertise, planning, and coordination with Ecology staff and consultants to study and complete environmental reviews. Ecology is often the lead agency for these reviews, as directed by the Legislature or the Program Manager. In this position, you will be the key point of contact for coordinating with Ecology managers and technical staff, including with the Attorney General's Office, to ensure policy consistency on complex or controversial projects. You will also work with state, federal, local and tribal staff, and a broad range of external stakeholders. What you will do: Coordinate the preparation of SEPA review in support of the SEA Program Manager, Environmental Review Section Manager, and Clean Energy SEPA Lead Serve as principle point of contact for coordinating with Ecology programs and regions Support coordination of internal Ecology teams for the preparation of complex, high-profile SEPA Reviews for clean energy projects Manage project SharePoint or Teams sites for facilitating document review Track contracts, cost-reimbursement agreements, interagency agreements, and memorandums of understanding or agreement Write requests for proposals, contracts, and scope of work documents for consultants Plan and facilitate internal and external meetings, including public meetings and hearings Represent SEA Program for internal, external, and stakeholder meetings Coordinate work with other planners and program staff Required Qualifications: Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are: 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify. Option One: A Bachelor's degree with a major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field AND Four years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development. Options Two: A Master's degree or above with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field AND Two years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development. Option Three: One year of experience as an Environmental Planner 2, at Department of Ecology. Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Must be able to 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. Experience working with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool. 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: or email: 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-. If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail . 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: 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 . click apply for full job details