Climate Pollution Reduction Policy & Planning Section Manager (WMS Band 2)

Full Job Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Climate Pollution Reduction Policy & Planning Section Manager (WMS Band 2) 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.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by 11:59pm on March 15, 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.

Requirements

Are you ready to lead at the forefront of climate action?

As the Policy & Planning Section (PPS) Manager for the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP), you will play a pivotal leadership role in advancing statewide strategies to reduce carbon pollution from transportation, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and address emerging climate challenges that affect communities today and for generations to come.

This is a highly visible, high-impact leadership role responsible for directing strategic plans, regulations, and major policies of statewide and national significance that shape the state’s climate future.

In this position, you will drive the development of transformative rules, policies, and strategies; guide CPRP’s strategic planning efforts; and align work plans with state climate initiatives.

You will establish performance measures that ensure accountability and measurable results, while providing expert policy, technical, and regulatory leadership on complex and emerging issues.

The PPS Manager ensures that CPRP’s work advances environmental justice and compliance with the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, balancing environmental protection, economic realities, and equity considerations while leading a talented team dedicated to meaningful climate solutions.

What you will do:

• Lead development and implementation of statewide climate policies, regulations, and strategic initiatives.
• Direct CPRP strategic planning, including alignment with state climate priorities and emerging policy direction.
• Oversee program performance management, including metrics development, trend analysis, and reporting to agency leadership and the Office of Financial Management.
• Provide executive-level policy guidance on complex and emerging climate pollution issues.
• Guide integration of environmental justice principles and ensure compliance with the HEAL Act.
• Coordinate legislative review and assess policy impacts during session in partnership with program leadership.
• Represent the program in high-level negotiations and engagement with government partners, regulated entities, and external interested parties.
• Supervise, mentor, and support section staff to ensure effective, efficient, and accountable program delivery.

Qualifications

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 combined experience and education:

• Demonstrated experience leading complex policy, regulatory or planning initiatives involving regulated entities, government partners, and the public, with significant fiscal, public health or environmental impact.

• Experience must include the following:

  • Leading Policy and Rules: Ability to lead the development of complex policies, rules, regulations, or major initiatives with broad organizational, statewide, or multi-jurisdictional impact to support defensible and implementable decisions.

  • Strategic Planning and Program Performance Management: Ability to set long-term direction and guide work plans and performance measures by aligning program goals with state priorities and using data to track progress and improve results.

  • Communication, Negotiation, and External Representation: Ability to clearly explain and negotiate complex policy issues with agency leadership, elected officials, regulated parties, partner agencies, and the public to support informed decisions and workable outcomes.

  • Leadership and Organizational Management: Ability to lead and support a team of policy and technical staff by setting clear expectations, managing budgets and workloads, and encouraging professional growth to deliver high-quality work efficiently.

  • Risk-Informed Decision Making: Ability to consider risk when making policy and program decisions to support fair outcomes and reduce legal, political, and public impacts.

• Education in physical or natural science, engineering, planning, public policy, environmental law, environmental studies, or other 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:

• Rulemaking: Experience leading or participating in formal state-level (or similar) rulemaking processes and timelines, including development of rule language, regulatory analysis, and managing public comment processes.
• Environmental Justice Implementation: Experience implementing environmental justice requirements within policy or regulatory programs, including compliance with statutory frameworks such as the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act or similar legislation.
• Program / Strategic Planning: Experience developing and executing strategic and operational plans aligned with statutory or agency priorities.
• Supervising: Experience supervising multidisciplinary policy or technical staff in a public sector or regulatory environment.
• Master’s Degree or higher in public administration or policy, law, or related field.

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.

Additional 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.

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 Tamara Jones at Tamara.Jones@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 principal department strategic priorities and goals that relate to CPRP include: reduce and prepare for climate impacts; prevent and reduce toxic threats; and deliver efficient and effective services.

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 (GHG) emission limits.

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 Policy and Planning Section (PPS) provides strategic planning and policy development to reduce climate pollution throughout the state, ensures plans and regulations are in place to meet state pollution reduction objectives, and ensures regulations and policies are in compliance with all state climate pollution reduction laws.

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.

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

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