Greenhouse Gas Emissions Engineer (Environmental Engineer 2) Three Positions

 Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring three Greenhouse Gas Emissions Engineers (Environmental Engineer 2) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week (Tuesdays) is required in the office. 
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by Thursday, May 8, 2025.
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after May 8th may not be considered.

Duties

In 2021, Washington’s Legislature passed the landmark Climate Commitment Act (CCA) – a sweeping piece of legislation that directs Ecology to develop and implement the state’s first Cap-and-Invest Program and commits our state to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 95% by 2050.

Officially launched on January 1, 2023, Washington’s program is only the second such economy-wide program in the nation, and the work of implementing this program has only just begun. It’s a big task with even bigger long-term impacts on the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and the global fight against climate change. We are hard at work hiring a diverse array of mission-focused professionals to continue our work in bringing this important legislation to life.

As a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Engineer, you will be part of the unit within the Cap-and-Invest Group that reviews greenhouse gas emission reports from entities, like fuel suppliers, electric and natural gas utilities, manufacturing and industrial facilities, and evaluates the reports for accurate, timely and complete data. In this role, you'll conduct technical reviews of greenhouse gas reporting entities, prepare engineering calculations and evaluation, conduct inspections and audits, make recommendations for violation and noncompliance, and assist with the third-party verification program. 
 
What you will do:

• Under the oversight of a Professional Engineer, review greenhouse gas emissions report submissions from electric power entities, natural gas and other fuel suppliers, and industrial facilities, for accuracy and completeness.
• Apply engineering knowledge and core tenets to calculate and review report submissions.
• Conduct engineering analyses and review protocols, policies, and guidance for effective and consistent implementation of the greenhouse gas reporting program.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships and ongoing communication with reporting and regulated entities and interested parties by providing proactive, timely information and answering technical questions.
• Conduct environmental inspections, audits, and studies, to include engineering review of industrial equipment and procedures to verify application of sound engineering design, and practices.
• Identify complex and emerging issues with electricity and fuel supply markets.
• Develop reporting tools, guidance documents and training for all regulated entities (including the electricity, facilities, natural gas, and other fuel supplier sectors), and interested parties.
• Assist with rulemakings pertaining to the electricity, natural gas, and fuel supply sectors.

Learn more about what it is like to be an Engineer at the Department of Ecology

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Six years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in environmental engineering. Experience may include a combination of the following:
  • Providing technical assistance to consultants, industry, local authorities, the public, municipal officials, agency staff and engineers on environmental engineering problems and regulatory compliance.
  • Making general investigations and/or surveys of waste generation, water and air pollution, or other environmental engineering problems.
  • Preparing engineering reports and technical data.
• Education involving a major study in one of the following engineering fields, sanitary, water resource, civil, geotechnical, environmental, chemical, mechanical, or related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 6 years of experience.
• 5 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 3 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND an Engineer-in-Training Certificate.
• 1 year of experience AND a Master’s degree or above.

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:

Knowledge of greenhouse gases, climate change, emissions calculations and/or energy accounting. 

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Application Process

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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Eli Levitt at Eli.Levitt@ecy.wa.gov. 
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov.

About the Climate Pollution Reduction Program

The Climate Pollution Reduction Program's (CPRP's) mission is to implement policies and programs to reduce carbon emissions in the state of Washington so that the state meets its statutory greenhouse gas emission limits. The CPRP focuses long-term, requiring creative and strategic decision-making for implementation to achieve broad statewide and interstate success reducing carbon emissions in the state of Washington so residents have a healthy environment and climate. 

The Cap-and-Invest Group is responsible for the implementation and operation of Washington’s Cap-and-Invest Program, which employs market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a cost-effective manner. As part of the Cap-and-Invest Program, businesses and entities are required to obtain allowances tied to their emissions, which can be bought, sold, and traded. The market for these commodities began in January 2023, and the proceeds are invested by the state in projects to decarbonize transportation and other sectors of the economy, promote clean energy, and advance equity and environmental justice. 

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology 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. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

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.

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.

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 

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

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.

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

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.