Climate Policy: Cap-and-Invest Electricity/Clean Energy Siting Specialist (Environmental Planner 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Cap-and-Invest Electricity/Clean Energy Siting Specialist (Environmental Planner 4) 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. This position is expected to be in the office for a full workday every Tuesday.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline

• Apply by November 9, 2026.
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Washington is advancing some of the most ambitious clean-energy and climate policies in the nation, and we are seeking an Electricity and Clean Energy Siting Specialist to help guide this work. In this role, you will serve as a subject-matter expert at the intersection of energy markets, greenhouse gas regulation, and clean-energy facility siting.

You will provide analytical insight, policy interpretation, and technical guidance to support effective implementation of the Climate Commitment Act, the Clean Energy Transformation Act, and the state’s Emissions Performance Standard.

This position offers the opportunity to work across programs and agencies, contribute to major policy decisions, and help shape the state’s transition to a cleaner and more resilient electricity system. If you are motivated by complex clean-energy challenges and public-service impact, we encourage you to apply.

What you will do

• Serve as a lead resource on clean-energy facility siting, advising on greenhouse-gas requirements under the Climate Commitment Act, the Clean Energy Transformation Act, and the Emissions Performance Standard.
• Provide clear guidance to project developers on how to meet regulatory and reporting obligations related to emissions, electricity imports, and electricity-sector compliance.
• Coordinate closely with teams across Ecology to support efficient, consistent permitting pathways and promote awareness of clean-energy siting and emissions requirements.
• Collaborate with other Washington State agencies to ensure aligned interpretation and implementation of Washington’s clean-energy laws.
• Analyze electricity-sector trends, market structures, and policy proposals to evaluate impacts, develop recommendations, and support rulemaking and legislative review.
• Create practical tools that help compare technical or policy options, and offer clear, science-based feedback on methods, data, and interpretations used in proposals from utilities, industries, environmental groups, and government partners.
• Serve as Cap-and-Invest policy lead for clean electricity policy related to electricity importer rules, electric power entities, and centralized electricity market development.
• Develop technical guidance, reports, and tools to support regulatory determinations, emissions quantification, and effective implementation of the Cap-and-Invest Program.
• Engage with utilities, Tribes, regulated entities, and other partners to communicate requirements, clarify policy interpretation, and support understanding of program expectations.

Additional information

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

Required Qualifications

Nine years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Electricity & Emissions Systems Knowledge – Skilled with applying electricity-system concepts, greenhouse gas quantification methods, and related analytical tools to evaluate emissions sources, assess facility siting approaches, and support accurate reporting and regulatory compliance.
• Market & Utility Policy Expertise – Ability to analyze natural gas and electric utility operations, market design, and electricity import dynamics to inform program development and support sound implementation of Cap-and-Invest and/or related energy policies.
• Policy Analysis & Development – Ability to assess electricity-sector conditions, interpret climate and energy laws, and develop policy approaches to support coherent, durable implementation of Washington’s clean energy and greenhouse gas programs.
• Regulatory Interpretation & Guidance – Experienced in interpreting statutory and regulatory requirements and translating them into clear, implementable guidance to promote compliance and consistent application of state climate and energy laws.
• Communication & Influence – Ability to convey complex information clearly and accurately to support shared understanding of clean energy and greenhouse gas requirements and to facilitate effective policy and program implementation.
• Collaboration & Relationship Building – Demonstrated competence with developing productive working relationships across internal teams and external organizations to align actions and maintain consistent interpretation of regulatory and policy requirements.
• Judgment & Analytical Decision-Making – Skilled with evaluating diverse sources of technical and policy information to inform defensible recommendations and to support timely, well-reasoned decisions.
• Project & Task Management – Demonstrated competence with planning, organizing, and completing multifaceted policy and analytical assignments to deliver accurate, timely, and high-quality work products.

Additional information

Education: with major emphasis in environmental science and/or policy; other areas of science and/or policy; energy, economics, finance, or business; or other subjects or areas applicable to electricity and natural gas utilities functioning and regulation, greenhouse gas emissions allowance allocation, auctions, and/or markets, or closely allied fields.

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.

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

• Energy Policy Experience – Professional experience in energy or utility policy, including work involving natural gas or electric utilities, utility regulation, electricity forecasting, or the operation of electricity or natural gas markets.
• Climate and Greenhouse Gas Regulation – Experience working on climate-related programs or initiatives, such as greenhouse gas emissions trading systems, GHG reduction programs, or greenhouse gas accounting, reporting, and verification for electricity-sector entities.
• Quantitative or Statistical Analysis – Professional experience conducting quantitative analysis using statistical methods, mathematical approaches, programming, or modeling tools, ideally relevant to evaluating greenhouse gas reduction policies or electricity-sector impacts.
• Environmental Regulation – Experience interpreting and applying complex environmental or energy regulations in a professional setting, particularly in roles requiring evaluation of electricity-sector behavior or greenhouse gas compliance requirements.

Additional information

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 preferred 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.

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.

Questions?

• 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

About the Climate Pollution Reduction Program

The mission of the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP) is to guide Washington to a net zero future by 2050. CPRP implements policies that encourage businesses and individuals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a clean energy economy.

The Cap-and-Invest Group within Ecology’s Climate Pollution Reduction Program leads the design and implementation 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.

This market began in January 2023, and the proceeds are invested in initiatives to decarbonize transportation and other sectors of the economy, promote clean energy, and advance equity and environmental justice.