Climate Change: Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Fuel Sector Planner (Environmental Planner 4)

State of Washington • Thurston County – Lacey, WA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Climate Change: Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Fuel Sector Planner (Environmental Planner 4) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP). This role supports the Cap-and-Invest Program by helping to shape how Washington brings new fuel suppliers and purchasers into the program under recent legislation. The position will assist in designing systems and tools to facilitate understanding of requirements and accurate greenhouse gas data reporting for fuel companies. The role involves collaboration with state agencies and the fuel industry, serving as an expert on fuel supply chains, and ensuring the reliability and transparency of emissions data. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact through problem-solving, process building, and working on high-visibility climate policy.

Requirements

• Nine years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
• Strategic Thinking – Ability to assess complex policy, operational, and cross-program considerations to ensure implementation approaches align with organization mission and long-term climate goals.
• Communication, Collaboration & Coordination – Skill in clearly explaining technical, regulatory, and data concepts and in working effectively with internal teams, regulated entities, local governments, state and federal agencies, and other external partners to support shared understanding, aligned implementation, and successful compliance.
• Equity & Public Service – Ability to apply principles of equity, fairness, and transparency when working with regulated entities and communities to ensure the Cap-and-Invest Program is implemented responsibly and consistently.
• Problem Solving & Judgment – Experience making sound decisions when faced with incomplete, complex, or ambiguous information to ensure requirements are applied appropriately and consistently.
• Regulatory & Statutory Analysis – Ability to interpret complex legislation and rules and turn those requirements into clear, workable processes, tools, or guidance for program implementation.
• Advanced Fuel Sector & Greenhouse Gas Expertise – Skill in analyzing intricate fuel supply chains, transportation pathways, blending practices, and greenhouse gas accounting methodologies to determine accurate coverage and support high-level program decisions.
• Data Systems & Reporting Tools – Ability to work with technical teams to define program needs, improve system functionality, and ensure data systems support accurate reporting, registration workflows, and compliance activities.
• Rulemaking & Guidance Development – Ability to draft and refine rule language, procedures, and technical guidance to ensure that program requirements are clear, consistent, and easy for regulated entities to follow.
• Education involving a major study 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

• Advanced Fuel Sector Knowledge – Familiarity with fuel supply chains, transportation pathways, blending practices, or related fuels-sector operations that would support quicker understanding of coverage responsibilities and reporting needs.
• Regulatory Application & Interpretation – Experience applying statutes, rules, or greenhouse gas reporting requirements in a regulatory, compliance, or program environment.
• Greenhouse Gas & Carbon Market Proficiency – Exposure to greenhouse gas emissions reporting, fuel-sector reporting protocols, or carbon trading or cap-and-invest program structures that would support onboarding in this role.
• Experience with Reporting Platforms – Familiarity with using environmental or regulatory reporting systems or data platforms that would support quicker onboarding to Ecology’s reporting tools.
• Program Implementation & Problem Solving – Experience helping implement program requirements or solving practical implementation challenges in a regulatory or technical program setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and rollout of new processes to identify, register, and support fuel suppliers and purchasers covered under new legislation, including building new procedures and operational structures for coverage determinations.
• Develop and maintain an accurate public roster of covered fuel entities and clearly document how coverage decisions are made.
• Coordinate with state agencies, local governments to support implementation of statutory fuel-procurement requirements.
• Verify that fuel suppliers are registered and provide guidance to partners on compliance expectations.
• Support rulemaking efforts, including drafting rule language, responding to public comments.
• Create clear, user-friendly technical guidance, forms, and training materials to support fuel suppliers, purchasers, and other entities affected by this new legislation.
• Serve as the program’s expert on fuel sector supply chains, fuel movements, and greenhouse gas accounting methodologies needed to determine Climate Commitment Act coverage.
• Partner with the information technology and data teams to develop and improve reporting systems, databases, and tools.
• Provide technical support to reporters, review complex reporting questions, and help ensure timely, complete, and accurate emissions data.
• Travel to fuel supplier or purchaser locations as needed to conduct audits, validate information, or support compliance through on-site reviews.

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 Incentives
• Combined Fund Drive
• SmartHealth

What This Job Offers

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