Oil Spill Equipment Planner (Marine Transportation Safety Specialist 2)

Full Job Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Oil Spill Equipment Planner (Marine Transportation Safety Specialist 2) within the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program.

Location Options:

This position can be based at either of the following duty stations:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, 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 April 12, 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

In this role, you will ensure that oil spill response equipment and contractor capabilities that oil spill contingency plans rely upon, are in place and ready to respond when needed.

This requires substantial field verification, documentation, and attention to detail.

You will also be evaluating the effectiveness of oil spill contingency plans and industry readiness through drills, inspections, and regulatory reviews.

This work involves collaborative engagement across agencies, industry, and regional workgroups.

What you will do:

• Inspect and verify the operational readiness, location, capability, and maintenance of oil spill response equipment and personnel listed in approved contingency plans.
• Maintain and update contractor and plan holder information in the WRRL and SPIIS systems to ensure accuracy and support Ecology’s planning standard model.
• Evaluate oil spill drills, document findings using established criteria, write formal evaluations, and ensure lessons learned are recorded and acted upon within compliance timelines.
• Review applications from response contractors, spill management teams, and wildlife response providers for accuracy, regulatory compliance, and readiness, including managing the public comment process and documentation on SharePoint.
• Track and assess Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) assets through plan reviews, contractor programs, WRRL data, trainings, and drills, and provide observations on their operational effectiveness.
• Participate in regional and national planning efforts, representing Ecology on workgroups, committees, and during discussions regarding equipment status, cascading resources, and regional readiness.
• Support rulemaking activities related to oil spill contingency planning and response requirements, including preparing documents, conducting research, and collaborating with technical specialists and contractors.
• Respond to oil spills to evaluate plan activation, oversee cleanup and investigation activities, and serve on the Spills Incident Management Team (IMT), maintaining ICS training and credentialing.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Five (5) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience: in oil spill response, naval architecture, marine engineering, vessel design, commercial vessel operations, vessel inspection/auditing, shipyard project inspection, or closely related experience. Experience must include the following competencies:

• Accountability, Integrity & Professional Judgment- Ability to apply objective judgment, meet commitments, and follow regulatory requirements to ensure credible oversight, defensible decisions, and public trust.
• Communication & Relationship Building- Documented ability to communicate findings, expectations, and decisions clearly while building cooperative relationships with internal teams, contractors, plan holders, and the public to ensure effective coordination and high-quality spill preparedness services.
• Database management and documentation-Ability to maintain accurate data systems and use technology to track operational status of regional response assets to support statewide and regional planning and response capability.
• Contingency Plan & Drill Evaluation- Ability to evaluate drills, including applications from contractors, SMTs, and wildlife providers, and plan implementation using established criteria and document lessons learned to assess readiness, support continuous improvement, and meet regulatory expectations.
• DEI Knowledge & Self-Awareness- Ability to apply DEI principles and reflect on personal biases to support equitable, respectful, and inclusive engagement with all interested parties and colleagues
• Operating and Maintaining Oil Spill Equipment- Ability to inspect and validate oil spill response equipment, personnel readiness, and maintenance status to ensure operational capability and compliance with contingency planning standards.

Education: in Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, or closely related field

Examples of how to qualify:

• 5 years of experience.
• 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• a Master’s degree

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Obtain Incident Command System (ICS) training at the level of 100, 200, 700 and 800.
• Obtain and maintain 40-hour HAZWOPER certification which can be accomplished after onboarding.
• Obtain the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC card) which entails a detailed background check.
• Hold and maintain eligibility and certification to permit travel to and from Canada, including passport or Enhanced Driver’s License.
• Hold and maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Must be prepared for a minimum 3-day field deployment within 1 hour of notification.

Desired Qualifications:

• Adaptability, Problem Solving & Decision Making- Ability to adjust approaches in dynamic spill, drill, and planning environments and analyze complex situations to identify practical solutions and achieve successful outcomes.
• Incident Management & Field Readiness- Ability to perform assigned ICS roles, maintain required credentials, and follow field safety protocols to support coordinated response operations during drills and spill incidents.

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.

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 email Matt Bissell at matt.bissell@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

The Spills Program’s mission is to protect, preserve, and restore Washington’s environment. Our vision is to create a zero spills world.

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.

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.

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