Climate Pollution Reduction Program Manager (Exempt Band 4)

The State of Washington is seeking a Climate Pollution Reduction Program Manager in Lacey, WA. This leadership role involves managing the state's Cap and Invest Program, Clean Fuels Standard, and other climate policies aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The position requires strategic thinking and collaboration with various stakeholders to implement effective climate initiatives. Eligible for up to 40% telework, the role offers a chance to influence significant environmental change in Washington.
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is currently looking to fill the Climate Pollution Reduction Program Manager (Exempt Management Service Band 4) position. This position reports to Ecology’s Deputy Director and is located at our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

We are seeking an experienced leader, strategic thinker, and forward looking, creative problem solver to lead and manage our Climate Pollution Reduction Program. Washington State is one of only two states in the nation with an economy-wide cap and invest program that works alongside other critical climate policies to help Washington achieve its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. The Program’s responsibilities include leading and managing the Cap and Invest Program, the Clean Fuels Standard, Zero Emission Vehicle Standards, Greenhouse Gas Reporting Requirements, and Hydrofluorocarbon transition. This position is responsible for and focused on implementing the climate policies set for the state including fully market-based systems designed to incentivize businesses to find the most efficient path to lower carbon emissions so that residents have a healthy environment and climate. The Program Manager represents the Director of Ecology in a wide variety of greenhouse gas reduction forums and works closely with other state agencies, other states and nations implementing greenhouse gas reduction laws and programs.

This is an exciting and challenging position for a proven leader. It's an opportunity to become part of a dynamic executive leadership team that engages federal, state, local, Tribal, elected officials, business, and environmental group interests to help lead our state’s efforts on changing the trajectory of climate change to protect our environment and residents of Washington. This position will also help Washington serve as a national model for greenhouse gas reduction efforts.

Our Mission at the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations.

Program Mission: The mission of the Climate Pollution Reduction Program is to implement state legislative and federal programs to reduce carbon emissions in the state of Washington so that we carry out legislative intent in administering these programs and so that Washington residents have a healthy environment and climate.

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 40% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about 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 July 24, 2023. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before July 23, 2023. 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.

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.
• 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.

Who are we looking for?

We're looking for an experienced leader with substantial climate policy expertise to manage our Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP). We are especially interested in applicants who have the passion and aptitude to collaborate in the implementation of leading-edge solutions for greenhouse gas emission reduction work to meet ambitious goals set to protect our state from the impacts of climate change. In this role, you will serve as a principal advisor, decision-maker and spokesperson in carrying out the responsibilities of the program. You will be responsible for the administration and management of the state of Washington’s Climate Pollution Reduction Program, including market-based solutions established under state law. This position is responsible for greenhouse gas reduction efforts and the regulatory and non-regulatory elements necessary to achieve the reductions set by the legislature that include:
• Developing and implementing the state’s cap and invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s largest emitting sources consistent with the emissions limits in state law.
• Supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including managing and providing information from Ecology’s greenhouse gas emission reporting system.
• Working with other programs, agencies, and communities to identify overburdened communities and establish a new community monitoring program in at least ten of those communities to invest cap and invest proceeds.
• Developing and implementing a new program requiring fuel suppliers to gradually reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels to 20 percent below 2017 levels by 2034 in accordance with the Clean Fuels Standard Act of 2021.

In this role, you develop policies having broad agency wide application for the design and delivery of greenhouse gas emission reduction programs and services affecting a substantial segment of the public and government. You will make strategic decisions that will have long-term impact, and will ensure tactical decisions align or support the strategic direction.

A Key Member of Ecology's Executive Management Team

It is critical that this important position maintains the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct to support the state's commitment to efficient, effective, and accountable government.

This is a highly visible role with the legislature, and other state, federal, and international agencies involved in greenhouse gas emissions reduction work, clean energy, carbon offset programs, and other climate pollution related work. This includes working across the agency and across state government at all levels.

As a key member of Ecology’s Executive Leadership Team, you will:
• Represent the Director with Federal, regional, state, local, Tribal and elected officials, the general public, environmental groups, environmental justice advocacy groups, and the business community.
• Develop credibility as a dependable and accurate problem solver and source of information for local, state, and Tribal leaders.
• Work with other programs and agencies, Tribal governments, local governments, and various organizations to formulate and implement various policies, procedures, guidelines and rules related to Washington's greenhouse gas emissions reduction work.
• Make recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team on how to implement programs and develop policies including agency direction for work procedures to ensure responsive service delivery and consistency.
• Foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and respectful workplace.

Required Qualifications:

A total of eleven years of experience and/or education.

Experience: in professional level management, which includes the following:
• Five (5) years of professional level supervisory responsibility, including experience-managing supervisors.
• Providing direction to mid-level managers and supervisors in scientific, engineering and/or public health fields, which included coaching, training, recruitment, evaluation, and performance.
• Providing oversight of a program's diverse functions combining and directing all aspects to meet overall program objectives.
• A minimum of five (5) years of budget management experience.
• A minimum of three (3) years of strategic planning experience (annual or biennial based business plan) including the ability to conceptualize and articulate the future direction of a program.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience working in climate policy, especially market-based and regulatory climate pollution reduction programs.

Please note: Experience in each of the areas listed above may have been gained concurrently.

Education: With a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, engineering, planning, public administration, business administration, Law or related field.

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

Possible Combinations

College credit hours or degree – as listed above

Years of required experience - as listed above

Combination 1

No college credit hours or degree

11 years of experience

Combination 2

30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.

10 years of experience

Combination 3

60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).

9 years of experience

Combination 4

90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.

8 years of experience

Combination 5

A Bachelor's Degree

7 years of experience

Combination 6

A Master’s Degree or higher

5 years of experience

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

The ability to obtain 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 or applying policy decisions from the Washington Health Disparities Map.
• Experience leading or managing in a large agency or organization.
• Working in or collaborating with state and tribal government.

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: (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.
• A list of 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 (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 Heather Bartlett at: Heather.Bartlett@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Heather 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.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram 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. 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.