Hydrogen & Renewable Fuels Public Engagement Specialist (MA4) - Energy Policy Office - (06563)

The State of Washington is seeking a Hydrogen & Renewable Fuels Public Engagement Specialist (MA4) for its Energy Policy Office in Olympia, WA. This role involves leading public engagement efforts for hydrogen and renewable fuels policy development, collaborating with various stakeholders, and implementing outreach strategies. Responsibilities include planning educational initiatives, maintaining website content, conducting engagement activities, analyzing public feedback, and advising on information needs. Applications are reviewed starting May 31, 2023.
Apply Early! First review of applications begins on May 31, 2023.
• *Applications in response to this posting will be considered for both this position and the Clean Transportation Public Engagement Specialist (MA4) position.**

At the Department of Commerce (Commerce), we are creative, collaborative, and trusted. We identify opportunities to deliver critical funding and services to strengthen communities, we cultivate an environment in which we continuously learn, and we own our work.

The Energy Division (Energy) works to drive the clean energy transformation so that Washington prospers.

The Hydrogen & Renewable Fuels Public Engagement Specialist (MA4) works within the Energy Policy Office of the Energy Division and reports to the Senior Energy Policy Specialist for Hydrogen and Renewable Fuels. This position supports the Energy Policy Office as the lead on all public engagement activities for hydrogen and renewable fuels policy development and program implementation, as part of the activities of the Office of Renewable Fuels. This will include collaboration with Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness, the agency’s Tribal Liaison, and others.

Public engagement is a fundamental aspect of policy development and program management in the Energy Division’s hydrogen and renewable fuels work, including contributing work related to the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association, funding programs, decision package and legislative development, and bill analysis.

This posting may be used to fill other vacant positions within 60 days once position is filled.Plan, implement, update, and maintain hydrogen and renewable fuels education and engagement plans, in consultation with key agency staff.
• Plan and implement outreach and engagement work for the Energy Division as part of the activities of the Office of Renewable Fuels, which includes but is not limited to:
• Website content development and maintenance;
• Listening sessions, focus groups, interviews, surveys, and other engagement activities;
• Development of technical assistance materials;
• Other strategies identified as beneficial to plan development, implementation, updates, and maintenance.
• Create and maintain a tool to track progress toward strategies and tasks identified in the hydrogen and renewable fuels education and engagement plans. Regularly analyze results and review with supervisor and key agency staff to determine and take actions to address gaps in progress.
• Analyze information collected from public engagement activities and advise key agency staff on public engagement and information work.
• Analyze public information needs and advise supervisor on website updates, briefing papers, and related support resources for hydrogen and renewable fuels information and state and federal funding opportunities.
Plan, implement, update, and maintain engagement and outreach activities and content
needed to implement hydrogen and renewable fuels projects and funding opportunities.
• Contribute to planning and implementing public outreach related to hydrogen and renewable fuels funding and proposed projects supported by Commerce. This will include but is not limited to:
• Working in coordination with Commerce partners to support public and community engagement activities related to hydrogen and renewable fuels, such as the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association;
• Public engagement, outreach, and marketing for hydrogen and renewable fuels funding and project opportunities in consultation with energy division communications staff;
• Listening sessions, focus groups, interviews, surveys, and other engagement activities;
• Development of technical assistance materials;
• Other strategies identified as beneficial to effective development and implementation of hydrogen and renewable fuels projects supported by Commerce.
• Planning and implementing public engagement in ways that are consistent with relevant best practices or requirements related to community engagement, including but not limited to:
• Commerce’s Community Engagement Plan;
• Community Benefits Plan requirements for relevant federal funding opportunities;
• Justice40 Initiative for relevant federal programs and funding opportunities
• Analyze information collected from public engagement activities and advise supervisor on funding and project opportunities.
Create and maintain connections with hydrogen and renewable fuels stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain current subject matter expertise about hydrogen and renewable fuels by reading and analyzing industry publications, attending meetings and events, and connecting with experts and organizations with information about hydrogen and renewable fuels.
• Create and maintain a list of hydrogen and renewable fuels stakeholders and experts (companies that may produce or use hydrogen or renewable fuels, electric utilities, counties and cities, tribal governments, zero-emission vehicle manufacturers, labor unions, climate and environmental justice advocates, community-based organizations, ports, transit agencies, academics and researchers, and more). Hold introductory meetings, continued conversations, and provide connections to policy and program staff.
• Attend and speak at meetings and events on behalf of the Energy Division to provide information on hydrogen and renewable fuels work.
Ensure hydrogen and renewable fuels policies and programs include outreach and
engagement components that comply with the HEAL Act, provide benefits to overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, and supplement other Commerce community engagement and communications work.
• Meet regularly with HEAL Act implementation staff, Commerce’s Chief Equity Officer, Commerce’s Tribal Liaison, and other relevant Energy Division staff on public engagement and tribal consultation to review existing and emerging hydrogen and renewable fuels policies and programs for compliance with the HEAL Act.
• Ensure hydrogen and renewable fuels public engagement activities are coordinated with work by Commerce’s community engagement team, including attending regular meetings and establishing clarity for stakeholders on Commerce points of contact.
• Write and create public engagement materials, including message frameworks, presentations, fact sheets, website and email content, and graphics. Request review of materials and creation of graphics from relevant Commerce communications staff in a timely and thorough way.
Develop and track public engagement metrics as part of the division’s work to measure success.
• Work with Energy Division leadership team to establish, regularly review, and update metrics of success for hydrogen and renewable fuels engagement strategies, including benefits provided to overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.
• Write a public engagement work plan that identifies strategies for meeting metrics of success and regularly update the plan with work completed and tracked metrics.
Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree. Experience may substitute for education.
• Four years of experience or more in public engagement work through public relations, marketing, customer management, public services, non-profit services, consulting services, advocacy, political campaigns, community organizing, or other similar communications work with external audiences.
• Ability to communicate clearly with diverse groups, including senior level management, elected officials, subject matter experts, and other interested parties.
• Experience communicating complex policy concepts in terms easily understood by those without expertise, including the use of plain language.
• Ability to develop, or work with technical staff to develop, public engagement materials, including message frameworks, presentations, fact sheets, website and email content, and graphics.
• Experience putting into practice equitable processes and pursuing equitable outcomes, including language accessibility.
• Experience measuring success and tracking metrics, including using data to support continuous performance improvement and data-driven decision making.
• Comfort with public speaking at in-person or virtual events and meetings.
• Proficiency with MS Office software.
• Ability to think strategically and connect the big picture and details.
• Excellent time management and a strong sense of personal accountability.
• Ability to contribute positively and professionally in a team environment
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
• Policy expertise in hydrogen production or uses, clean and/or renewable fuels, electric utilities, or other related fields.
• Experience working with consultants or as a consultant.
• Experience working in a rapid-response environment.
• Experience utilizing public opinion research, including understanding statistics or survey design.
• Experience working with state or local legislative process.
• Experience working with language translation services.
To be considered for this position the following are needed in your application:
• A complete and detailed online application;
• A Cover letter (enter online);
• At least three (3) professional references (enter online).
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. For questions about this recruitment, please contact Jose Dominguez at 360-810-0182 or jose.dominguez@commerce.wa.gov.

Work From Anywhere In Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington state though frequent travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remote or have a hybrid schedule. However, it is anticipated that interviews for this position will be held using virtual videoconferencing. You will work with your supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule and balance, including telework and reporting to a duty station for work activities, if needed.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity:
The Washington State Department of Commerce 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 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, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (360) 725-2650. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.