Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist for Air Quality (COEES 3)(in-Training)

Description Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen The Air Quality program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist for Air Quality (COEES 3) position.
This position is located in our Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
In this position, you will serve as the Air Quality Program’s lead for education, outreach, and public involvement planning, development, and implementation in Ecology’s Central Region.
You will include digital accessibility, language access, and ADA requirements in all communication, engagement, and outreach materials so that all people have access to air quality information.
On a daily basis you will post web notices, organize public comment periods and associated meetings and hearings, develop print and electronic media outreach and educational materials, and coordinate outreach activities with other local clean air agencies, state agencies, Tribes, local government, as well as the public.
Note: This position offers a career path and on-the-job training.
This position allows you to progress through the Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist field and achieve the goal class of a Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 3.
Candidates will be considered at the Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 2 in-training and the Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 3 levels, depending on their qualifications.
For salary levels for each, please see the qualifications section.
Agency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations.
Program Mission: The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQP) is to protect and improve air quality in Washington and to protect our State’s environment for current and future generations.
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 February 15, 2024.
In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before February 14, 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.
Duties What makes this role unique? In this position you will join a dedicated team of nine other people in the section working to protect air quality by working to manage air pollutants from industrial facilities and agricultural burning sources.
You will have the unique opportunity to work regularly with everyone on the team to experience a variety of projects and gain a wholistic perspective of protecting air quality throughout the Central Region.
In addition, you will work with people throughout the Air Quality Program as part of the exciting new effort to engage overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution to improve air quality.
Ecology staff throughout the agency, the Central Region, and in the Air Quality Section are a friendly and fun group who look forward to welcoming you to the team! What you will do: Develop and perform outreach on how to burn more cleanly and alternatives to burning Advertise opportunities for the public to change out their wood stoves Create and provide educational materials about agricultural burning Post notices of commercial industrial permit applications Plan, organize and complete comment periods and public hearings for draft industrial permits Plan, conduct, participate in or facilitate public meetings and opportunities for public participation Apply plain talk and accessibility standards to documents and obtain translations to ensure language access Qualifications 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.
At the Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist 2 level: Salary Range 46: ($3,883-$5,212 monthly) A total of seven years of experience and/or education as described below: Experience: Involving environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, environmental education, community outreach, or communications activities.
Examples of experience may include the following: Outreach and/or giving presentations that reach a diversity of people and communities.
Planning and writing publications, surveys, social media, video, and other multimedia.
Writing and carrying out communication or outreach plans.
Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, education, communications, 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 professional level experience - as listed above Combination 1 No college credit hours or degree 5 years of experience Combination 2 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits 4 years of experience Combination 3 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree) 3 years of experience Combination 4 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits 2 years of experience Combination 5 A Bachelor's Degree 1 years of experience Combination 6 A Master's Degree No experience required At the Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist 3 level: Salary Range 49 ($4,174-$5,615 monthly) (Goal Class) A total of seven years of experience and/or education as described below: Experience: Involving environmental analysis or control, environmental planning, environmental education, community outreach, or communications activities.
Examples of experience may include the following: Outreach and/or giving presentations that reach a diversity of people and communities.
Planning and writing publications, surveys, social media, video, and other multimedia.
Writing and carrying out communication or outreach plans.
Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, education, communications, 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 professional level 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 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.
Strong written, verbal, and listening communication skills to work with diverse audiences and situations effectively and respectfully.
Experience with meaningfully engaging or working with community groups, and vulnerable or linguistically isolated populations.
An understanding of environmental justice research, demographic data, and equity focused assessments.
Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
Supplemental Information 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.
Note: References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists.
References will not be contacted without the candidate’s formal authorization.
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 Karin Baldwin at: Karin.
Baldwin@ecy.
wa.
gov.
Please do not contact Karin 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.
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.