Climate Change: Clean Fuel Standard, Third Party Verifier Planner (Environmental Planner 4)

State of Washington • Thurston County – Lacey, WA

32d • Hybrid

About The Position

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen The Department of Ecology is hiring a Clean Fuel Standard, Third Party Verifier Planner (Environmental Planner 4) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP). This is a project position that is funded until December, 31, 2028. This funding is expected to be renewed for the next bi-annual budget cycle. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options. A minimum of one day per week is required in the office. This position is expected to be in the office for a full workday every Tuesday. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Join a team working at the center of Washington’s transition to cleaner, lower-carbon transportation. The Clean Fuel Standard is shaping the future of the state’s transportation fuel supply by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and expanding access to low-carbon alternatives. As the Clean Fuel Standard, Third Party Verifier Planner, you will lead the development and operation of Washington’s new third-party verification program, a foundational component that ensures accurate reporting, supports fair program implementation, and strengthens confidence in the state’s clean fuel market. If you are motivated to apply your planning, analytical, and regulatory expertise to a program that is making a measurable difference for Washington’s environment and communities, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

• Nine years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:
• Program Development and Implementation: Ability to design, organize, and implement complex environmental or regulatory programs by developing effective processes, tools, and structures that support successful and consistent program operations.
• Regulatory Interpretation and Policy Development: Ability to interpret environmental regulations and program requirements and translate them into clear guidance, procedures, and rule language to support accurate and consistent implementation.
• Technical Review and Quality Assurance: Skilled in reviewing reports, contracts, and supporting materials to assess accuracy, identify potential issues, and recommend actions that improve the quality and integrity of program work.
• Research, Data Management, and Analytical Evaluation: Ability to conduct research and analyze qualitative and quantitative information to develop tracking systems, inform program decisions, and support continuous improvement of program processes.
• Multi-Party Coordination and Cross-Agency Collaboration: Experience coordinating and communicating with agencies, regulated entities, and other interested groups to exchange information, gather input, and maintain consistency with established practices across jurisdictions.
• Training and Capacity Building: Skilled in designing, updating, and delivering training and guidance to ensure third-party verifiers and internal staff understand requirements, maintain proficiency, and produce high-quality work.
• Compliance and Enforcement Support: Ability to assess reporting issues, identify potential non-compliance, and support enforcement-related activities to ensure timely, accurate, and complete reporting.
• Confidential Information Management: Experience handling and protecting sensitive or confidential information using secure data management practices that uphold legal and program requirements.
• Education involving a major study in in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

Nice To Haves

• Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Verification Knowledge: Demonstrated competence in applying knowledge of greenhouse gas reporting or verification concepts to support accurate interpretation of emissions data and informed program decisions.
• Emissions Tracking Systems and Protocols: Skilled in understanding and working with emissions reporting or tracking systems and protocols to support data accuracy, compliance assessments, and program implementation.
• Clean Fuels and Low-Carbon Policy Familiarity: Ability to apply working knowledge of clean fuels or low-carbon fuel policies to support alignment with state or regional standards and contribute to effective program planning.
• Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification of Environmental or Climate Programs: Experience with concepts, frameworks, or procedures related to monitoring, reporting, and verification in environmental or climate programs to support consistent and reliable program outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Certify verification bodies and individual third-party verifiers to provide services within Washington’s Clean Fuel Standard.
• Train and provide technical assistance to prospective third-party verifiers to obtain certification, and once certified to maintain knowledge and proficiency.
• Design and update training materials and programs and work with other Clean Fuel Standard staff to carry out trainings.
• Track, organize, and monitor reports from third-party verifiers and contracts between verification bodies and clients to ensure quality and compliance with all applicable guidelines.
• Develop, maintain, and ensure the accuracy and completeness of Washington’s list of approved third-party verifiers and ensure that all approved verifiers and verification bodies meet certification requirements.
• Provide support in reporting and verification efforts; work closely with other Ecology and external experts to design, improve, implement, and maintain tracking databases, tools and systems.
• Develop and regularly update forms and procedures relevant to third-party verifiers and their activities; lead and coordinate the development and implementation of guidance documents and standards for verifiers.
• Serve as subject matter expert on third-party verifiers in other jurisdictions such as California, applicable laws and regulations, best practices, and developments in this subject area.
• Support the members of the Clean Fuel Standard team in compliance activities and procedures, and potential enforcement actions.

Benefits

• 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 Incentive
• Combined Fund Drive
• SmartHealth

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior