The Department of Ecology is hiring a Fluorinated Gases (F-Gas) Headquarters Unit Supervisor (Environmental Planner 5) 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 is required in the office. Certain weeks, business may require two days in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
  

Application Timeline:

• Apply by August 21, 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 the above date may not be considered.

Duties

• Do you want your work to directly address climate change in Washington State?  
• Does the idea of working with businesses, manufacturers, and a diverse group interested parties, with sometimes competing interests, to build common ground and identify implementable actions interest you?
• Are you interested in supporting and leading a growing team of professionals as we implement a new regulation?
  

If you answered yes to the questions above, you might be a great fit for our team! As the F-Gas Headquarters Unit Supervisor, you will support the implementation of Washington’s current fluorinated gases regulations and advance the state’s refrigerant recovery and reclamation efforts. In this role, you will provide day-to-day support, supervision and coordination of multiple technical staff. As a policy lead, you will form and chair the Refrigerant Transition Task Force, including: recruiting task force members, setting priorities, defining key milestones, and managing meetings. A key deliverable will be a legislative report that identifies opportunities and challenges in transitioning to climate-friendly refrigerants, improving refrigerant recovery and reclamation, and providing clear, targeted policy recommendations to support these goals.

As an agency expert, you'll also represent the Department of Ecology and the State of Washington , such as when coordinating with other members of the US Climate Alliance HFC workgroup. In this role, you will also provide support to the Refrigerant Management Program, which focuses on reducing refrigerant emissions from certain refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The Unit Supervisor will work hand-in-hand with the Section Manager to achieve the goals of Washington State’s Hydrofluorocarbons - Emissions Reduction law.

What you will do:

• Lead the overall design, planning, and implementation of the Refrigerant Transition Task Force. This includes publishing a legislative report and facilitation contract administration.
• Develop guidance documents and standard operating procedures for the F-Gas Section.
• Work with Section members to determine policy priorities and implement actions to address emission reduction goals.
• Supervise F-Gas Headquarters Unit, oversee unit responsibilities, assign work, and assure effective completion of deliverables on time and within budget.
• Recruit, evaluate, train, coach, mentor, and promote career development of staff.
• Follow regulations and apply scientific and Ecology methods to develop, implement, and update program regulations, guidelines, and tools to achieve Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emission reductions.
• Provide advice and support to F-Gas Section, CPRP, and agency leadership on the successful implementation of F-Gas Section responsibilities. Serve on Climate Pollution Reduction Program Performance Leadership Team.
• Prepare, with staff assistance, briefing documents, reports, presentations, web pages, correspondence, and other materials.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Eleven years of experience and/or education showcasing the candidate’s ability to lead the development, interpretation, and implementation of complex environmental policy initiatives. This includes:

• Experience in: environmental science, environmental or natural resource planning, energy or transportation policy, environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or related field, which must include demonstrated experience in policy analysis and negotiation: analyzing, interpreting and developing policy using the following principles:
  • Researching, interpreting, and combining technical information, regulations, and public policy into implementable program objectives and actions,
  • Crafting policy positions, regulatory interpretative statements, and/or legislative recommendations,
  • Convening and facilitating multi-party groups,
  • Building consensus on contentious issues,
  • Effectively negotiating and managing diverse interests to reach common ground, implementable solutions that meet program goals, and
  • Promoting the regulatory goals of environmental programs to diverse audiences.
• Education in: land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental engineering or land-use / environmental law; public administration with an environmental emphasis; or, closely related field.
  

Examples of how to qualify:

• 11 years of experience.
• 10 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 9 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 8 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 4 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
• 2 years of experience as an Environmental Planner 4, at the Department of Ecology
  

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Climate Change science, in general, and Short-Lived Climate Pollutants and emissions reduction technologies, in particular.
• Strong interpersonal skills working with diverse members of the regulated community and non-governmental organizations to identify common ground solutions.
• Ability to explain climate and regulatory processes to a variety of audiences and education levels.
  

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.

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 Leonard Machut at Leonard.Machut@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 and F-Gas Section

The Climate Pollution Reduction Program's (CPRP's) mission is to implement policies and programs to reduce carbon emissions so Washington state meets its statutory greenhouse gas emission limits. The CPRP focuses on long-term, strategic decision-making to achieve broad statewide emission reductions so Washington residents have a healthy environment and climate.

The F-Gas Section implements key regulations to support CPRP’s mission. In November 2023, Washington revised a rule further supporting the transition away from potent greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in products and equipment. Commonly used in air conditioning and refrigeration, in producing insulating foams, and other uses, HFCs are a short-lived “super pollutant” that  can be thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide. HFCs are the fastest growing climate pollutant worldwide. If their use isn't stopped, HFC emissions will increase to 7-19% of global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In Washington, we’re doing our part to support the transition to more climate-friendly refrigerants that will us to keep things cool without making the world hotter.

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.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.

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