Climate Policy Section Manager

~ The Department of Ecology is Washington's environmental protection agency. Our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's land, air and water for current and future generations. ~

We support environmental work throughout Washington. Nearly 70 percent of our budget is passed through to local communities to pay for projects that benefit the environment. We were founded in 1970 as the first agency in the nation dedicated to environmental protection. And we invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. 

The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQ) is to protect public health and the environment from the effects of air pollution and climate change.

The primary functions of the Climate Policy section are to: 

• Ensure effective regulatory design for the Clean Air Rule (CAR) and the greenhouse gas emissions reporting program.
• Implement all aspects of the CAR and the greenhouse gas emissions reporting program.
• Design and maintain data reporting and tracking systems for the CAR and the greenhouse gas emissions reporting program; provide reports on greenhouse gas emissions and trends.
• Provide policy and technical support and help develop regulations to carry out the state's climate change initiatives and to incorporate climate objectives and science into air quality program decision making.

Position Overview  

The Department of Ecology's Air Quality Program (AQ) is looking for a Climate Policy Section Manager. This position manages the Climate Policy Section (CPS) of the air quality program and provides environmental services to understand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect public health and the environment.

The CPS Manager has responsibility for managing, directing and developing the CAR including strategic planning, regulatory development, policies, guidance, operational protocols, tracking performance and interagency coordination/agreements on issues related to CAR and greenhouse gas emissions.   

This is an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of an innovative, nation-leading policy program to help slow climate change. The successful candidate will be a part of a collaborative team that will work with federal, state and local government agencies, environmental groups, elected officials and the regulated community to address the most significant environmental issue of our time.

As the Climate Policy Section Manager you will provide strategic direction and manage the implementation of the Clean Air Rule, a regulation to cap and reduce carbon pollution in Washington. You will plan, lead, and set priorities for a high-performing team to ensure that market mechanisms, regulatory functions, tracking and compliance systems and guidance developed for the rule are clear and facilitate effective implementation.

In this position you will represent the agency on issues of national scope before elected bodies, the news media, other government agencies and the public. Expectations include providing policy advice and recommendations to senior management related to the Clean Air Rule.

This position is located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, Washington and is classified as Washington Management Service 2 (WMS Band 2) position. To learn more about the state's management classification system, please visit this link. 

Responsibilities  

Primary areas of responsibility include: 

• Rule, policy and strategy development related to the CAR.
• Implementation of the CAR and the greenhouse gas reporting program.
• Policy, technical and regulatory support to state and federal greenhouse gas reporting programs and state climate change initiatives. 

Additional Responsibilities: 

• This position manages the section's operations using advanced managerial knowledge and skills.
• The position ensures that section employees have clear expectations, priorities and objectives and have the skills, training and tools to effectively accomplish their work in a fiscally responsible, efficient and customer friendly manner.
• This position ensures that resources are directed within the section to the most important work consistent with overall agency and AQP priorities, staff are focused to do their work more efficiently and effectively and solutions to air quality problems are effective and balance the needs of staff, the public and decision makers.
• This position requires the evaluation of complex issues, such as emerging federal and state policies and provides strategic focus for the program and tactical focus for section staff.
• This position constantly requires the use of advanced negotiation skills, strategic and multi-disciplinary project planning.

Qualifications 

Required Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor's degree in physical or natural science, engineering, planning, public policy, environmental law, environmental studies, or other related field; and 2 years of environmental project management, regulatory or planning experience.
• A minimum of 18 months supervisory experience managing policy and technical staff.
• Knowledge, and demonstrated application of advanced principles of management, budget planning, strategic planning, and personnel administration.
• Experience deciphering multiple local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding environmental protection, and administrative procedure requirements.

Preferred/Desired Experience: 

• A Master's degree or higher in public administration or policy, law, or related field.
• 18 months of experience supervising technical staff in a complex political environment.
• One year of experience in the design, development and implementation of greenhouse gas reduction or reporting program. 

Compensation: Salary $79,969.00 - $101,604.00 annually. 

Note: This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be September 15, 2016. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 14, 2016. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date. 

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Here!" then follow instructions.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail us.
• Please do not call this number or 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 have specific questions about the position, please email Stu Clark. Please do not contact Stu to inquire about the status of your application. 

~  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 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. ~