Deputy Director of Siting and Compliance

Full Job Description

Schedule: This is a full-time position. Work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.

to 5 p.m.; however, incumbents must be willing to workdays or hours outside of their approved schedule as required to meet business needs. Flexible/Hybrid is an option.

Travel Requirements: Incumbent may spend time traveling during and outside normal work hours throughout the state, including overnight stays when necessary.

Who we are: The State of Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) provides a “one-stop” siting process for major energy facilities in the State of Washington.

EFSEC coordinates all evaluation and licensing steps for siting certain energy facilities in Washington.

EFSEC specifies the conditions of construction and operation and manages an environmental and safety oversight program of facility and site operations.

EFSEC maintains jurisdiction over project sites from application until eventual decommissioning and reclamation of the site.

For more information about the different ways facilities generate power for Washington homes and businesses, the facilities we oversee, how you can get involved with our Council, how to submit your comments to our agency, our siting processes and laws, rules and policies, we invite you to explore our Washington State Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council website.

What you will be doing: The primary responsibility of the Deputy Director of Siting and Compliance (DDSC) is to provide the Director of Siting and Compliance and Siting and Compliance Division (SCD) staff guidance and management of operations within SCD, provide program, project, policy and process direction, and support positive stakeholder collaboration.

This position will have direct supervision of Energy Facility Siting Specialists.

This position contributes to the mission of the State and EFSEC organization through climate and clean energy initiatives to meet the Governor’s goals of a carbon neutral electrical grid by 2030, and 100% clean energy electricity by 2045.

This position is crucial for ensuring all energy facilities comply with state and federal laws, and for maintaining public trust.

The DDSC is responsible for overseeing projects that have a significant public impact, from energy production to environmental protection.

This position engages with the legislature on inquiries or media attention.

The selected incumbent will engage with legislative, Tribal and local government officials to maintain positive relationships and mitigate any impact to established Tribal Relations, local government, or the public, as well as ensuring that there are no environmental harm or damage to cultural artifacts and sacred lands.

To understand the full scope of details relating to this position, interested applicants are encouraged to contact rachel.vaughan@des.wa.gov and jobs@des.wa.gov and request the full job description.

Requirements

Some of what you’ll enjoy doing includes:

• Assists the Director of Siting and Compliance with administering statewide energy facility siting, permitting, and compliance for all current and future energy projects
• Manages all Energy and Facility Siting Specialists, conducts Performance and Development Plan (PDP) reviews for technical staff training and development
• Assist the Director of Siting and Compliance with the coordination of technical review for complex energy projects, including the coordination of joint reviews with agency executive staff, and exercises influence over EFSEC jurisdiction matters in relation to siting, compliance and on-going construction or operations at a project site
• In the absence of the Director of Siting and Compliance, serve as the appointing authority for the division
  

Qualifications

Experience, Education and Competencies
OPTION 1
Nine (9) years professional experience in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Eco Hydrology or closely related field in lieu of a degree

OPTION 2
Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Eco Hydrology or a closely related field, and five (5) years professional experience

OPTION 3
Master’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Eco Hydrology or closely related field and three (3) years professional experience

AND in addition to the above ways to qualify, applicants must possess four (4) years’ experience managing or administering programs and three (3) years as a 2^nd level supervisor or greater.

• Customer Focus — Responsive to both internal and external customers. Works with customer to identify needs; assumes responsibility for own role in meeting those needs. Ensures commitments to customers are met. Receptive to customer feedback.
• Results Focus — Accepts personal accountability for individual results or share of team results. Manages workload and interpersonal relationships to achieve results: prioritizes tasks appropriately, overcomes obstacles, works with others as necessary, and meets deadlines and quality standards.
• Communication Skills - Demonstrates communication skills (reading comprehension, writing, listening, speaking) appropriate to the position. Shows respect and courtesy in interpersonal communications.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Open to new ideas. Responds constructively to change and stressful situations. In consultation with supervisor, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
• Self-Development — Demonstrates proactive learning. Keeps knowledge and skills up to date. Solicits and accepts constructive feedback. Seeks developmental assignments to improve skills. Turns challenges into learning opportunities.
• Supervisory (additional competencies for supervisors and managers)

Leadership - Develops teamwork through leadership defines team standards, responsibilities, processes, and goals. Promotes a cooperative and respectful work environment. Works for consensus.

Anticipates and resolves conflicts. Identifies opportunities in adverse situations. Leverages team diversity to improve team effectiveness; promotes unique team talents.

Appropriately and timely shares information, internally and externally. Models desired behavior.

• People Development - Provides ongoing performance feedback and encouragement, documents through timely and meaningful PDPs. Assumes coaching and mentoring roles, as appropriate. Provides developmental opportunities. Delegates assignments to improve skills. Recognizes results.
• Planning - Develops realistic plans, aligned with agency goals; sets specific goals for area(s) of responsibility. Creates contingency plans. Coordinates plans with others. Plans for and maximizes resources. Understands assigned program area and addresses relevant trends in planning.

Strategic Thinking - Communicates a long-term vision. Balances short- and long-term goals. Keeps own and team's work aligned with overall goals.

Appropriate to managerial level: (1) Addresses staffing, infrastructure, organization design, culture, and risk management issues in strategic plans.

(2) Demonstrates creativity and innovation in developing or adapting strategic plans. (3) Shows an awareness of the external environment and trends that contributes to ability to work effectively.

Competencies:

• Knowledge and expertise in Washington energy facility siting laws and regulations, state, and federal state environmental regulations (air emissions, water use and water discharge, wetlands, fish & wildlife), State Environmental Policy Act laws and procedures, Administrative Procedure Act (adjudicative proceedings, rulemaking), state budgeting procedures, legislative procedures and processes.

Must have strong communications skills to convey complex environmental and siting procedural issues to state and local agencies, tribal governments, the public, and media.

Able to work cooperatively in very contentious and adversarial settings. Capable of explaining and interpreting laws and rules to attorneys as well as the lay public.

Provide leadership and vision in development of policies and procedures for EFSEC activities and processes.

Ability to build and maintain strong and effective working relationships with the EFSEC Chair; state and local members; staff; interested organizations; federal, state, and local agencies; contractors and the public.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• Master’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Eco Hydrology or closely related field and 5 years professional experience
• Knowledgeable in conducting SEPA analyses, able to advise and lead agency determinations for SEPA
• Knowledgeable in issues and impacts associated with energy facilities
• Strong project management skills, including oversight of multiple concurrent projects of varied scope, scale, and timeline
• Experience with environmental compliance across several categories including air, water and waste compliance

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment
Conflict of Interest: RCW 42.52 limits EFSEC's ability to employ any person who owns stock in any company the Council regulates or is otherwise financially interested in such company.



Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.


Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. 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.




Opportunity for All: The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information:For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan rachel.vaughan@des.wa.gov or email jobs@des.wa.gov.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.