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Clean Transportation Grants and Cultural Resources Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3 or 4)

Washington State Department of Ecology
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 The salary listed includes the scheduled 3% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.


 

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen


 

 

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Clean Transportation Grants and Cultural Resources Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3 or 4) within the Air Quality Program.

 

This is a project position that is funded until December 31, 2032.

 

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. occasionally there will be meetings or other in-person activities that may result in multiple days in-office in the same week.
  • Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

 

Application Timeline: 

  • The first review of applications will take place Monday, June 30, 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 June 29 may not be considered.

 

 


 

 

Duties

 

Do you possess a background in grant administration and working to educate and engage potential grantees?  Do you have a passion for improving air quality, exploring electrifying the transportation sector, and advance environmental justice throughout Washington State? Not yet an expert in all of these areas? No problem! We’re seeking smart, eager candidates and will provide on-the-job training as needed.

As the Clean Transportation Grants and Cultural Resources Specialist, you will provide oversight of funds from state and federal Volkswagen settlements to fund programs to reduce harmful emissions and greenhouse gases from transportation. In this position, you will have broad responsibilities that include managing Volkswagen settlement grants, ensuring that funded projects follow policies for cultural resources protection, and incorporating environmental justice into funding programs. You will also be the team lead in providing technical assistance to grantees to comply with requirements for cultural resources protection. This work requires a diverse range of skills including literature and policy research, grant management, support for interested parties, project management, and giving public presentations. 

You will work collaboratively with other members of the VW Settlement Team and the Clean Diesel Team to develop funding opportunities, and negotiate, implement, and track grants. This is an ideal position for someone interested in clean transportation, cultural resources preservation, and environmental justice.

 

What you will do:

  • Develop grant guidelines, scoring criteria and application processes. Conduct grant application solicitation, review, and award process.
  • Recommend grant awards and actions to resolve issues for grant recipients.
  • Respond to grantee inquiries; interpret and explains Ecology grants guidance.
  • Guide the implementation of Executive Order 21-02 (Download PDF reader) and maintain expert working knowledge of cultural resource review fundamentals and environmental justice modeling tools.
  • Ensure cultural resource compliance with Executive Order 21-02 (Download PDF reader) and other guidance.
  • Coordinate technical information distribution, problem solving, planning efforts, and decision-making. Coordinate outreach with other state agencies.
  • Review, assess, and provide detailed comments on technical documents.
  • Develop, prepare, and organize meeting materials and deliver written / oral presentations.
  • Evaluate project data, interpret results and report conclusions.

 


 

 

Qualifications

 

This position offers an in-training plan and may be filled at the Environmental Specialist 3 or 4 level, depending on your qualifications. If you qualify at the ES3 level and are hired, you will progress through an in-training plan to become an ES4 within a specified time period.

 

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

 

Required Qualifications:

 

At the Environmental Specialist 3 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 53, $4,882 - $6,576 monthly

 

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

  • Experience performing environmental-based work OR work related to the duties of the position, which must include two or more of the following:
    • Work related to grant management and/or grant administration
    • Experience in analyzing and synthesizing complex information, including environmental regulations, program guidance, and technical documents, and applying findings to decision-making and program implementation.
    • Government to Government consultation and/or experience working with Tribes
    • Experience with compliance with Executive Order 21-02, or other archaeological and Cultural Resources experience
    • Project management experience
    • Experience negotiating agreements and/or drafting and editing contract language
    • Familiarity with environmental justice concepts and practice

Experience also must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

  • 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 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.
  • A Master’s degree or above.


 

At the Environmental Specialist 4 level (Goal Class)

Pay Range 59, $5,666 - $7,622 monthly

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

  • Experience performing environmental-based work OR work related to the duties of the position, which must include two or more of the following:
    • Work related to grant management and/or grant administration
    • Experience in analyzing and synthesizing complex information, including environmental regulations, program guidance, and technical documents, and applying findings to decision-making and program implementation.
    • Government to Government consultation and/or experience working with Tribes
    • Experience with compliance with Executive Order 21-02, or other archaeological and Cultural Resources experience
    • Project management experience
    • Experience negotiating agreements and/or drafting and editing contract language
    • Familiarity with environmental justice concepts and practice

Experience also must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

  • 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 related field.

 

Examples of how to qualify:

  • 9 years of experience.
  • 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
  • 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
  • 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
  • 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
  • 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
  • 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D. 

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated experience in working with Tribal Governments
  • Demonstrated experience in grant management.
  • Demonstrated experience in air quality and transportation infrastructure and planning. 

 

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.

 

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:

  • 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 Pete Siefer at Pete.Siefer@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 Air Quality Program 

The mission of the Air Quality Program is to protect, preserve and enhance the air quality of Washington to safeguard public health and the environment, and support high quality of life for current and future generations. The Air Quality Program’s vision is clean, healthy air for all of Washington.  Our goal is to identify, prevent and minimize air pollution.

The federal and state Volkswagen settlements represent an unprecedented opportunity to make transformative improvements across Washington’s transportation sector. By investing in advanced zero emission technologies we can substantially reduce public exposure to harmful pollutants and help address climate change.

 

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 (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.