Climate Change: Senior Cap-and-Invest Market Monitor (Financial Examiner 4) (In-Training)

Through your collaboration with Ecology staff, State agencies, and other cap-and-invest jurisdictions, you’ll cultivate a deep understanding of the nexus between emissions allowance, energy, and financial markets. You’ll become a subject matter expert on cap-and-invest market behavior and serve as a resource to the rest of the CCA (Climate Commitment Act) Implementation Group as we work together to develop, implement, and maintain this powerful emissions-reduction program.

The mission of the Air Quality Program (AQP) 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.  

Note: This position offers a career path and on-the-job training. This position allows you to progress through the Financial Examiner (FE) field and achieve the goal class of an FE4. Candidates will be considered at the FE3 and FE4 levels, depending on their qualifications. For salary levels for each, please see the qualifications section.

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

• 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, fitness classes, and 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. 

Duties

What makes this role unique? 

The Climate Commitment Act Implementation Group is a new unit created within Air Quality Program (AQP) and is leading the design and implementation of Washington’s cap-and-invest program, which employs market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a cost-effective manner.  As part of the cap-and-invest program, businesses and entities will be required to obtain allowances tied to their emissions, which can be bought, sold, and traded. This market began in January 2023, the first auction was held in February 2023, and the proceeds will be invested in initiatives to decarbonize transportation and other sectors of the economy, promote clean energy, and advance equity and environmental justice.

The Auctions and Market Unit helps bring companies into the cap-and-invest program, facilitates allowance auctions and trading, and safeguards the Cap-and-Invest Program’s integrity through ongoing market surveillance. In this position as a senior market monitor, you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to surveil the Cap-and-Invest Program. The position safeguards auctions and the market program, which is a top priority of both the agency, Legislature and Governor’s Office.

What you will do: 

• Contribute to analysis of entity behavior within the cap-and-invest program with a focus on activities that change the Washington allowance market and related commodities and futures markets.
• Support potential market-related linkage work. In the event of linkage, work on the coordination of market-monitoring activities with linked program(s).
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of finance, econometrics, and/or related fields. Apply concepts from these fields in your market monitoring work.
• Provide support to other CCA Implementation Group staff as entities join the cap-and-invest market, such as providing analysis of corporate association groups that allow entities to join the market. 
• Mentor, cross-train, and serve as strong positive example to other auctions and market unit staff.

Qualifications

The goal class for this position is Financial Examiner 4 (FE4). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the FE3 and FE4 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the FE3, they will be hired in at that level and placed into a training program to become an FE4 within a specified period of time.

Required Qualifications:

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.
 
At the Financial Examiner 3 level: Salary Range 66 ($6,105-$8,216 monthly) (in-training)
 
Option 1:

• A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• Three years of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector.

Option 2:

• A Master’s degree involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• Two years of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector.

Option 3:

• A Ph.D. involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• One year of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector. 

At the Financial Examiner 4 level: Salary Range 70 ($6,746-$9,067 monthly) Goal Class
 
Option 1:

• A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• Five years of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector. 

Option 2:

• A Master’s degree involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• Four years of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector. 

Option 3:

• A Ph.D. involving major study in fields including—but not limited to—finance, business administration, economics, accounting, policy, data science, and related fields.
• Three years of professional experience in finance; economics; data analysis; energy, agricultural and/or other commodity markets; regulatory enforcement; or related work. This experience could be gained in most private sectors, and/or the public sector. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• A background check will be conducted, which may include criminal record history, fingerprinting, and credit history. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. 

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. 

• Relevant certifications (finance training, CPA, PMP, data analysis / statistics training, market analysis, or related certificates).
• Experience working to address climate change, including experience related to greenhouse gas (GHG) markets.
• Previous experience in finance, electricity, fuels, GHG, and related markets.
• Quantitative skills gained in schooling or experience in statistical analysis and/or mathematics and/or programming and modeling. 

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 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.
• Three professional references.
• A writing sample of yours from a previous outreach project that caters to specific interested stakeholder(s).

Note: 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, email Andrew Hayes at: Andrew.Hayes@ecy.wa.gov.
• Please do not contact Andrew 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 (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth 

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.

Collective Bargaining:

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

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.

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.