SEPA/ERTS Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 2)



SEPA/ERTS Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 2)

Salary

$42,420.00 - $55,524.00 Annually

Location

Yakima County - Union Gap, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2022-CRO2858-05838

Department

Dept. of Ecology

Division

Central Regional Office

Opening Date

04/22/2022

Closing Date

Continuous

Description





Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2, Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  



Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen


The Central Regional Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA is looking to fill a SEPA/ERTS Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 2) position. 

In this role, you will support the agency’s mission by providing independent coordination for both the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and Environmental Report Tracking System (ERTS) for the Central Region Office (CRO).

As the CRO State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Coordinator, you will independently manage the centralized SEPA process for 10 environmental programs. You will utilize your SEPA knowledge to ensure submissions are complete, reviewed by Ecology staff for environmental impacts in a timely manner, and will provide guidance, as well as interpretations of the SEPA policy for the public and Ecology staff. 

As the CRO Environmental Report Tracking System (ERTS) Coordinator, you will serve as the region’s initial contact for the public, city, state, federal, and other agencies for all environmental complaints, incident reports, and spills. You will ensure critical and timely notification to proper internal and external authorities by providing technical assistance, research, and customized reports and referrals. 

The Central Regional Director's team is a group of hardworking individuals that take pride in their work and being a "team." It’s a supportive environment where members of the team are encouraged to find new and improved ways of doing things.

The ideal candidate will have excellent people skills and have the ability to stay grounded and positive in a very dynamic fast-paced environment. Additional attributes for success in the position include a great sense of humor, the ability to solve problems, be willing to work alongside your team, and the ability to go with the flow. We are a very close knit office and looking for a person that will enhance our culture.

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position is required to work in the office five days a week. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 

 

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with a next screening date of May 23, 2022 In order to be considered for the next screening, please submit an application on or before May 22, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.


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.

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, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • 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?

Communication is key in this unique and challenging role. This position interacts on a daily basis with Ecology’s 10 programs in the region, acting as a key point of contact for our Spills response team. This position frequently communicates, both verbally and in writing with the public, Emergency Management Department, fire departments, police departments, state patrol, City and County planning department employees. 

 

What you will do: 

This position embodies the One-Ecology philosophy and provides high-quality customer service to the public and Ecology staff.
 
Some of the key work activities of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Coordinator position are:

  • Ensures submissions to the SEPA Register are complete and entered into the database accurately and in a timely manner.
  • Ensures SEPA documents are appropriately screened by Ecology staff for environmental impacts by the deadline given and coordinates program comments.  
  • Provides guidance and interpretation of the SEPA policy and environmental technical assistance to the public, internal staff and in coordination with the internal or external lead agency.
  • Provides SEPA process guidance to the Lead Agency, the public, and Ecology staff.

 

Some of the key work activities of the Environmental Report Tracking System (ERTS) Coordinator are: 

  • Manages the ERTS database to ensure incidents are tracked and available for public records requests. Ensures quality control of data entered for initial reports, referrals, follow-up actions and investigations.
  • Provides support, which enables agency staff or external authorities to conduct thorough investigations of environmental impacts and environmental incident response.
  • Provides status updates of incident reports that require field and non-field investigation.
  • Provides routine technical assistance to internal and external referrals regarding investigations, incident reports, environmental statutes, regulations, or follow-up and referral actions. 

 

Qualifications

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. 

A total of Five (5) years of experience and/or education as described below: 

Professional level Experience: in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.

 

Education: involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field. 

 

Experience may include but not be limited to a combination of the following:

  • Investigating environmental complaints or violations.
  • Field sampling activities or participating in contaminated site remediation activities.
  • Implementing best management practices to protect environmental quality.
  • Performing inspections or field investigations.
  • Planning, developing, conducting data collection, data management, and analyzing the results.
  • Providing routine technical assistance to the public and businesses on compliance with environmental regulations. 

 

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:    

Possible Combinations.

College credit hours or degree.

Years of professional level experience – as listed above.

Combination 1

No college credit hours or degree

5 years of experience 

Combination 2

I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.

4 years of experience 

Combination 3

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

3 years of experience 

Combination 4

I have 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

0 years of experience.

 
 OR 
 
 One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1, at the Department of Ecology.

 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

 

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.
  • 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 Terra Petropoulos at: Terra.Petropoulos@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Terra 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. 

More than Just a Paycheck!
 
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

 
Read about our benefits:
 
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with the agency human resource office for specific benefit information.

Insurance Benefits
 
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance.  There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.  Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses.  Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.  To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.
 
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
 
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
 
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
 
Vacation (Annual Leave)
 
You begin accruing vacation starting your first month of employment. Since we value your loyalty, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Vacation accrues for full-time employees per WAC 357-31-165.
 
Holidays
 
Full-time employees are entitled to twelve* paid holidays:
 
HOLIDAY
DATE
 
New Year's Day
January 1
 
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday
Third Monday in January
 
Presidents' Day
Third Monday in February
 
Memorial Day
Last Monday in May
 
Juneteenth
June 19

Independence Day
July 4
 
Labor Day
First Monday in September
 
Veterans' Day
November 11
 
Thanksgiving Day
Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
 
Christmas Day
December 25
 
Personal Holiday
Employee's selection each calendar year

*Employees who are members of certain Unions are entitled to an additional personal leave day of their choice. Please refer to specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
 
Social Security
 
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
 
Sick Leave
 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave may be used for reasons included in WAC 357-31-130.
 
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information.

01
How did you hear about this job posting?
  • Community Based Organization
  • Community / Technical College
  • Ecology Employee
  • Ecology Recruiter
  • Ecology Jobs Page
  • Facebook
  • Job Board
  • Job Fair
  • LinkedIn
  • Newspaper
  • Other State Agency
  • Other Website
  • Professional Association
  • Twitter
  • University Job Board
  • WorkSource
  • www.careers.wa.gov
02
If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, University Job Board or WorkSource location then please share which one.
03
Have you ever worked for the Department of Ecology in any capacity including: Permanent, Non-permanent, Project, Intern, or Volunteer?
  • Yes
  • No
04
Please select the statement that best describes your level of education with a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.
  • I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.
  • I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).
  • I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.
  • I have a Bachelor's degree.
  • I have a Master's degree.
  • I have a Ph.D
  • None of the above statements apply.
05
If you indicated in the previous question that you have a degree, please indicate your degree and major study. If you don't have a degree, put N/A.
06
Please select the statement that best describes your Professional level Experience: in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.
  • I have at least one year of experience.
  • I have at least one year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1, at the Department of Ecology.
  • I have at least two years of experience.
  • I have at least three years of experience.
  • I have at least four years of experience.
  • I have at least five years of experience.
  • None of the above statements apply
07
Please provide additional information to support your response above. The following information is needed: position title(s), specific duties, and periods of employment. Make sure your response specifically addresses the qualification above. An incomplete answer, including "please see resume" may remove you from further consideration.
08
The State of Washington, including the Department of Ecology, plays a vital role in fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and respectful workplace and contributing to equitable outcomes for the communities we serve. 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. It may also be helpful to review the job posting for what diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect mean to Ecology, in practice.

What experiences have you had working with people whose backgrounds are very different from your own? What impact did those experiences have on you professionally?

Required Question

Agency
State of Washington
Address
View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Phone
View Posting for Agency Contact