Cap-and-Invest Offsets & Tribal Grants Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Cap-and-Invest Offsets & Tribal Grants Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP).

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 is required in the office. You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by May 18, 2026.
• 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 the date above may not be considered.

Duties

As the Cap-and-Invest Offsets & Tribal Grants Specialist, you will serve as a program specialist supporting key elements of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). You will support the administration of state-funded Tribal grants that build Tribal capacity and support Tribal environmental work, while also assisting with the management of the Cap-and-Invest offset program. You will contribute to Tribal grant application and award processes, provide ongoing communications and assistance to grantees, and help ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and program documentation. In addition, you will support the review and organization of offset project materials and help maintain the integrity, transparency, and accessibility of the State’s offset program. This work plays a vital role in advancing environmental justice, strengthening government-to-government relationships, and supporting the success of Washington’s climate policies.

What you will do:

Support the administration of state-funded Tribal grants by assisting with application review, award processes, and applicant technical assistance.

Help develop grant guidelines, evaluation criteria, and application processes that align with environmental justice commitments under the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act and Climate Commitment Act (CCA).

Review, process, and track grant applications, agreements, amendments, payment requests, and progress reports using approved systems and databases.

Coordinate and participate in grant evaluation panels, ensuring fair and well-documented review and award recommendations.

Provide ongoing communication, outreach, and support to Tribal grant staff to ensure successful implementation of grant-funded activities.

Maintain accurate grant program data and contribute to required reporting for budget equity and HEAL Act compliance.

Assist with reviewing and organizing documents related to offset project listing, data reporting, and requests for offset credit issuance.

Support evaluation of offset credit issuance and Direct Environmental Benefits (DEBs) designation requests, preparing recommendations for program leadership.

Maintain records, webpages, and communications related to offset registries, project verifiers, credit issuance, and program updates.

Serve as a point of contact for inquiries from Tribes, market participants, and the public, providing timely and accurate technical and administrative information.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

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

• Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to duties of this position, that includes one or more of the following:
  • Grant Administration - Experience in administering grants, contracts, or public funding programs to ensure compliant, accurate, and timely processing of applications, agreements, payments, and performance tracking.
  • Regulatory & Program Implementation - Experience in interpreting and applying statutes, rules, and program policies to ensure consistent implementation, defensible funding decisions, and adherence to legal and administrative requirements.
  • Data Management & Reporting - Ability to manage and analyze data using database systems to ensure accurate recordkeeping, reliable reporting, informed decision-making, and protection of confidential information.
  • Communication with Interested Parties and Technical Assistance - Experience in providing technical assistance and communicating complex requirements to diverse interested parties to ensure transparency, equitable access, and effective program participation.
  • Experience working with Tribes and Tribal staff – Experience providing customer service to Tribal staff related to environmental programs, policies, or projects.
• Experience must include demonstrated competence in:
  • Program Administration - Detail-oriented administration of programs or processes that involve the creation, review, or management of documents and records. 
  • Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
     
  • Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
     
  • Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.

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.
• A Master's degree or above.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• 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 the following policy areas: environmental grant program development and management, climate, carbon markets, offset project development, and energy.
• Experience engaging in communications with Tribal governments with lands in Washington.
• Experience with environmental justice data, methods, and analyses for environmental or government work
• Experience using GIS, data visualization software (Power BI, Tableau, R, or similar), and grant award tracking databases.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

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.

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.

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 the following required documents:

• 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 Jordan Wildish at Jordan.Wildish@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.

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.

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 *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.