Program Outreach Specialist (Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist 3)

The State of Washington is hiring a Program Outreach Specialist for its Solid Waste Management program in Lacey, WA. This role involves outreach and facilitation services related to recycling and environmental education, aiming to improve public involvement in overburdened communities. The position offers flexible schedules and telework options, emphasizing employee wellness and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect.
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Solid Waste Management (SWM) program is looking to fill a Program Outreach Specialist (Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist 3) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Office (HQ) in Lacey, WA.

In this role you will provide facilitation and outreach services for the entire Solid Waste Management Program. You get to work with technical experts across all of our subject matter areas, including recycling, biosolids, and extended producer responsibility. This position is exploring new and innovative outreach methods. We’re always trying to learn how to provide better public involvement opportunities to overburdened communities. You will get to work with a dedicated team to expand our outreach opportunities.

The mission of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) program is to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse, keep toxics out of the environment, and safely manage what remains.
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 who embrace the value of people.

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, and fitness classes; an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

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.

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is maintaining less than maximum building occupancy, and requiring masks, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of July 7, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before July 6, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

What makes this role unique?

This position works across the Solid Waste Management Program with all subject matter areas statewide. We’re always trying to connect all residents of Washington with meaningful opportunities to provide input and feedback on solid waste activities. The pandemic changed the way we interact with the public, and that continues to evolve. You get to be part of the solution of connecting residents to their government. Come be a part of our team!

What you'll do:
• Provide high quality facilitation and outreach to stakeholders, so the Solid Waste Management Program can reach the best possible solution with robust stakeholder buy-in.
• Coordinate and track SWM stakeholder meetings.
• Works with subject matter experts to determine appropriate outreach materials, identify reviewers, and determine timeframes to produce materials.
• Prepares and distributes educational outreach materials for new and existing program initiatives that includes focus sheets, fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, webpages, pamphlets, displays, recorded training sessions, etc.

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: High school diploma or GED AND seven years of professional experience involving environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, environmental education, community outreach, or communications activities. See chart below:

Option 2: An Associate’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, education, communications or closely related field, AND five years of professional experience involving environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, environmental education, community outreach, or communications activities.

Option 3: A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, education, communications or closely related field, AND three years of professional experience involving environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, environmental education, community outreach, or communications activities.

Option 4: A Master’s degree involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, education, communications or closely related field, AND one year of professional experience involving environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, environmental education, community outreach, or communications activities.

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

Possible Combinations

College credit hours or degree

Years of required experience – as listed above.

Combination 1

No college credit hours or degree

7 years of experience

Combination 2

30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.

6 years of experience

Combination 3

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

5 years of experience

Combination 4

90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.

4 years of experience

Combination 5

A Bachelor's Degree

3 years of experience

Combination 6

A Master’s Degree

1 Year of experience

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Must 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.
• Two years’ experience facilitating large groups.
• Two years’ experience interpreting and implementing environmental legislation or regulations.
• Two years' of professional experience interacting with a wide variety of individuals and groups, and ability to function and tolerate a wide variety of public interactions without becoming personally involved or taking public comments personally.

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 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.
• Two professional writing samples that reflect your work as a communications professional, such as a press release, public statement, blog story, web content, or social media post.

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 (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 Kelsey Dunne at: Kelsey.Dunne@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Kelsey 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.

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, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

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.

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

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.
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.