Emissions Inventory Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Air Quality Program (AQP) within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill an Emissions Inventory Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) (In-Training) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. 

Some engaging opportunities for you in this position are: 

• Working within a highly motivated section of scientists and specialists conducting development of air emissions and analysis of air quality modeling, monitoring and forecast data.
• Supporting Washington Emissions Inventory Reporting System users, delivering training and guidance as they enter and certify their air emissions data.
• Developing and maintaining standard criteria air pollutant emission inventories: Washington point source emissions, comprehensive statewide emissions, and regional modeling emissions.
• Developing fine-resolution emissions to support the Air Quality Program’s regulatory requirements for State Implementation Plans and other air pollution reports.
• Working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop the National Emissions Inventory (NEI) data for Washington.
• Note: This position offers a career path and on-the-job training. This position allows you to progress through the Environmental Specialist (ES) field and achieve the goal class of an ES4. Candidates will be considered at the ES3 and ES4 levels, depending on their qualifications. For salary levels for each, please see the qualifications section. 
  
  The mission of the Air Quality Program is to protect and improve air quality in Washington. The Air Quality Program’s vision is clean, healthy air and climate for all of Washington.   
  
  Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to an 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 September 5, 2023. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before September 4, 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. 

  
  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

   

  

  Accurate emissions inventories form the basis of much of the work of the Air Quality Program; they tell us where air pollution is coming from and help direct our efforts to clean it up. As the Emissions Inventory Specialist, you will develop emission inventories in support of federal annual and triennial reports, State Implementation Plans (SIP) and Maintenance Plans, and for regional and statewide air quality modeling needs. Some of your work will entail developing efforts to improve emission inventories, researching scientific literature for the latest developments in emission inventory methodology associated with, among other things, ozone formation and fine particulate, for use by regulatory agencies for such things as complex regional air quality models which are crucial to successful air quality management. Additionally, you will: 

  • Conduct training and support Washington Emissions Inventory Reporting System users as they enter and certify their air emissions data.
  • Use the EPA’s Motor Vehicle Emissions Simulator (MOVES) and other models to plan, research, model, conduct, and update emissions inventory information to meet state and federal needs.
  • Develop and maintain air emission inventories for several assigned source categories and package them for submittal to the EPA.
  • Support planners and scientists in the Air Quality Program with scripting, analysis, and database management as needed.
  • Develop and interpret emissions maps needed for modeling and reports.
  • Present your work to scientists at regional meetings.
   

   

  Qualifications

  The goal class for this position is Environmental Specialist 4 (ES4). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the ES3 and ES4 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the ES3, they will be hired in at that level and placed into a training program to become an ES4 within a specified period of time.
  
  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 Environmental Specialist 3 level: Salary Range 53 ($4,602-$6,198 monthly) (In-training)
   
  A total of six years of experience and/or education as described below:
  • Experience: Involving environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning. Experience may include:
    • Assignments in environmental permit development and review, including negotiating permit conditions and conflict resolution; 
    • Environmental inspections or enforcement activities, including representing an employer in public meetings, hearings and workshops; 
    • Planning, developing, researching and overseeing scientific studies, surveys or scientific analysis; 
    • Technical environmental assistance and administrative guidance to grants, contracts, and loans recipients; or 
    • Interpretation of policy and environmental technical assistance, requiring a high degree of scientific background and understanding.
  • Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, or other allied 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 6 years of experience Combination 2 I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits. 5 years of experience Combination 3 I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree). 4 years of experience Combination 4 I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits. 3 years of experience Combination 5  A Bachelor's Degree 2 years of experience Combination 6 A Master’s Degree 1 year of experience Combination 7 A Ph.D. no experience required  
  OR
  One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2, at the Department of Ecology. 
  
  
  At the Environmental Specialist 4 level: Salary Range 59 ($5,341-$7,184 monthly) Goal Class
   
  A total of nine years of experience and/or education as described below:
  • Experience: Involving environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning. Experience may include:
    • Assignments in environmental permit development and review, including negotiating permit conditions and conflict resolution; 
    • Environmental inspections or enforcement activities, including representing an employer in public meetings, hearings and workshops; 
    • Planning, developing, researching and overseeing scientific studies, surveys or scientific analysis; 
    • Technical environmental assistance and administrative guidance to grants, contracts, and loans recipients; or 
    • Interpretation of policy and environmental technical assistance, requiring a high degree of scientific background and understanding.
  • Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, environmental planning, or other allied 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 9 years of experience Combination 2 I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits. 8 years of experience Combination 3 I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree). 7 years of experience Combination 4 I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits. 6 years of experience Combination 5  A Bachelor's Degree 5 years of experience Combination 6 A Master’s Degree 3 years of experience Combination 7 A Ph.D. 2 years of experience  
  OR
  Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3, at the Department of Ecology. 
  
  
  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.
   
  • At least two years of experience in the air quality field.    
  • Data management – able to handle large amounts of data efficiently, and a thorough understanding of relational databases; proficient with spreadsheet and database software packages such as R, python, Access, Excel, Word, HYSPLIT, ESRI ArcMap, etc.
  • Previous experience or understanding of utilizing computer scripts to perform complex calculations, change data formats, and process large amounts of data, and taking initiative to research issues, seek out and use tools (such as computer models) and other data sources, and initiate work projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to achieve excellent results with little need for oversight, earns the trust, respect, and confidence of co-workers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness and professionalism in all interactions; logically integrates various ideas, intentions, and information to form effective goals, objectives, timelines, action plans, and solutions.
  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.
  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 Christopher Hanlon-Meyer at: Christopher.Hanlon-Meyer@ecy.wa.gov.  Please do not contact Christopher 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.