Oil Spill Preparedness Planner (Environmental Planner 3)

Full Job Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Oil Spill Preparedness Planner (Environmental Planner 3) 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 selected duty station.

Note: If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County. Salary range: $5,949 - $8,003 monthly.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time, with required fieldwork and occasional in-office time.
• Required fieldwork (spring–fall, occasional in winter) includes activities such as facility visits, spill response, and Geographic Response Plan fieldwork.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by January 26, 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

As an Oil Spill Preparedness Planner, you will manage oil spill contingency plans submitted by industry for review, ensuring oil companies are prepared for oil spills through contracts with primary response contractors, appropriately staged equipment, and procedures that meet or exceed requirements outlined in WAC 173-182 and WAC 173-186.

You will develop inland and marine geographic response plans to protect sensitive resources along Washington’s shorelines from the impacts of oil spills.

This plan development incorporates input from federal, state, and local agencies, Tribal governments, contractors, and industry response partners to create robust, well-prioritized plans that can be implemented within the first hours of a spill.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to build emergency management skills by evaluating and participating in oil industry drills and training, as well as serving in incident management team roles such as communications or environmental support staff during real-world spill incidents.

What you will do:

• Review contingency plans submitted by oil companies using requirements in WAC 173-182 or WAC 173-186 and write detailed reviews of these plans to improve industry preparedness.
• Develop geographic response plans in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, Tribes, contractors, and industry to protect natural, cultural, and economic resources at risk of impacts from oil spills.
• Evaluate and participate in industry oil spill drills, providing written evaluations and observations to improve industry preparedness.
• Cultivate a deep understanding of the incident command system structure and train in specific roles to support spill response statewide in communication or environmental support roles.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in applying land use, environmental, or natural resource planning or sciences, law or public administration with an environmental or maritime emphasis, or closely related experience. Experience must include:

• Independent Project Management
  Experience serving as an independent project manager for concurrent complex projects with short- and long-term deadlines, including developing a scope of work, coordinating with workgroup participants, incorporating feedback from agencies and the public, and delivering completed plans or reports in a timely manner.

GIS-Based Environmental Field Data CollectionExperience conducting field work such as shoreline assessments, site visits, data verification, or other environmental observations.

Experience using GIS-based tools and databases to collect observations from the field. Experience using data to produce reports and support environmental planning or decision making.

• Technical Writing
  Experience preparing clear, accurate, and well-organized technical documents, such as regulatory compliance reviews, drill evaluations, enforcement documentation, environmental plans, and public responsiveness summaries.

• Education involving a major study in land use, environmental, or natural resource planning or sciences, law or public administration with an environmental or maritime emphasis, or a closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Obtain Incident Command System (ICS) training at the level of 100, 300, 700 and 800.
• Obtain and maintain HAZWOPER certification annually.
• Obtain and maintain IMT position qualifications, as applicable.
• 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 Washington 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:

• Oil Spill or Natural Disaster Response: Experience preparing for or responding to oil spill/natural disaster responses, oil spill/natural disaster drills, credentialing in emergency response incident management systems, or supporting decision making around the environmental impacts of oil spills or other environmental harms and response/restoration methods.

Project Coordination and Facilitation: Experience coordinating, facilitating, or participating in workgroups with federal, state, local, or Tribal governments, industry representatives, or other partners to support collaborative environmental decision-making, priority setting, or preparedness/response activities.

Experience leading or facilitating meetings, workshops, or public forums to gather technical and community input, and incorporating feedback into succinct plans, reports, or other products.

Knowledge of Oil Spill Planning Frameworks: Experience working within Washington State’s spill preparedness requirements, the Northwest Area Contingency Plan, or regional response organizations.

Experience developing or implementing geographic response plans to protect natural, cultural, and economic resources from oil spills or similar environmental hazards.




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.

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 Darcy Bird at Darcy.Bird@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 Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program

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

The Spill’s Program’s Preparedness Section works with our regulated and response community to prepare for worst-case scenarios across the state through contingency planning, regional and area planning, drills and exercise, and equipment inspection.

By joining the Preparedness Section, you are joining a team of high performing professionals to protect Washington’s environment.




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.




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.

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.




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

This position also offers Spill Responder Pay (afterhours only), Standby Pay (afterhours pager duty), and reimbursement for approved travel costs. Personal protective equipment will be provided by the program along with reimbursement for required footwear.

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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