Central Region Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 3

State of Washington•Yakima County - Union Gap, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen The Department of Ecology is hiring a Central Region Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 3 within the Water Quality Program. Location: Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. Assignment Pay: This bilingual-designated role requires successful completion of a Spanish language proficiency assessment (verbal and written) as part of the hiring process. The salary listed includes 5% bilingual assignment pay. 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 August 25, 2026 Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed. Duties You will be the community’s bridge to water quality awareness and action. As the Community Outreach Environmental Education Specialist, you will lead creative, hands-on learning experiences that inspire residents of all ages to become active stewards of their local environment. Through dynamic public engagement, innovative educational programming, and strong partnerships with schools, community groups, and regional partners, you will transform environmental challenges into opportunities for collective impact. You will design and deliver outreach initiatives that make complex environmental topics accessible, relatable, and locally relevant—whether through interactive workshops, youth programs, public events, or multilingual communications. You will also help build long-term community relationships that support equitable participation and ensure every voice is heard in environmental decision-making.

Requirements

Seven (7) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:
Communication Skills – Ability to share information clearly with diverse audiences to support understanding and informed participation.
Community Engagement – Ability to plan and carry out engagement activities to involve communities in program decisions and actions.
Cultural Humility and Inclusion – Ability to work respectfully with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds to build trust and improve access to agency services.
Outreach and Education Delivery – Ability to develop and deliver accessible outreach materials and learning opportunities to help the public understand program issues and resources.
Bilingual Communication (English/Spanish) – Ability to translate and interpret information accurately to ensure Spanish-speaking communities can fully participate in outreach and engagement activities. This includes: verbal (speaking/listening) and written (reading/writing).
Program and Environmental Knowledge – Ability to understand environmental issues, program activities, and regulatory requirements to share accurate information and support informed public engagement.
Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, education, health sciences, social services, communications or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.
Examples of how to qualify:
7 years of experience.
6 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
5 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
4 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
3 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
2 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or above.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license or provide alternate reliable transportation for travel within the state of Washington.
Must pass the verbal (speaking/listening) and written (reading/writing) Spanish language proficiency tests.

Nice To Haves

Lived or professional experience with underrepresented communities.
An understanding of environmental justice research, demographic data, and equity focused assessments.
Knowledge and practice of collaborative problem solving, conflict resolution, and participatory planning.
Experience with website and social media content development.

Responsibilities

Partner with technical experts to craft community-centered engagement strategies that bring water quality science to life and connect residents directly to the mission of protecting the region’s waters.
Serve as a cultural and linguistic bridge by providing Spanish interpretation during workshops, public meetings, school events, and neighborhood canvassing—ensuring every community member can participate fully and confidently.
Spark public learning through accessible outreach—sharing information via presentations, email, web content, and educational materials that help people understand and act on water quality issues.
Translate key outreach materials into Spanish to support inclusive communication and make environmental information easier for more families to access.
Guide thoughtful, on-the-ground engagement efforts—planning, implementing, and evaluating community outreach while elevating community insights and identifying emerging environmental justice needs in the Lower Yakima Valley.
Remove barriers to participation by identifying gaps in access, developing best practices, and creating tailored outreach tools for underserved communities, local interests, governments, industry, and the general public.