Climate Change Outreach Specialist (COEES3) INTERNAL ONLY

State of Washington•Spokane County – Spokane, WA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Climate Change Outreach Specialist (Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist 3) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP). This is a temporary position and developmental opportunity to fill an extended vacancy scheduled to end May 31, 2027. The position is located in the Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA, and is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, with a minimum of one day per week required in the office. The role serves as the outreach and education specialist for eastern and central regional teammates in the Climate Pollution Reduction Program's F-Gas Section, supporting statewide Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emission reduction program communication and education. The position helps strategize environmental justice compliance and program implementation by conducting outreach campaigns and surveys, managing and analyzing engagement data, and providing technical assistance. All communication, engagement, and outreach activities must align with Washington’s environmental justice law (HEAL Act), Ecology’s Community Engagement Plan and Tribal Consultation Framework, and state and federal accessibility and nondiscrimination requirements.

Requirements

Seven years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
Outreach Strategy Planning and Implementation - Experience developing and carrying out outreach and education strategies for complex technical or regulatory programs.
Clear and Inclusive Communication - Demonstrated competence communicating regulatory or technical information in plain language to diverse audiences.
Digital and Language Accessibility - Experience applying digital accessibility and language access standards, including coordinating translation or interpretation services.
Community and Program Engagement - Demonstrated competence engaging regulated entities, Tribal communities, and local partners to support understanding of program requirements.
Outreach Materials Development - Skilled in creating and revising outreach products such as presentations, graphics, websites, fact sheets, and other public-facing materials.
Facilitation and Public Event Coordination - Experience planning, facilitating, or moderating workshops, trainings, public meetings, and similar engagement activities.
Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, education, communications or a closely related field.
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. 1 year of experience AND a Master’s degree or above.

Nice To Haves

Public Involvement and Risk Communication Knowledge - Demonstrated competence applying public involvement principles, behavior change strategies, risk communication practices, Title VI requirements, and environmental justice best practices.
Underserved Community Engagement - Experience designing and implementing engagement approaches that effectively reach underserved, overburdened, or linguistically isolated communities.
Environmental Justice Integration - Ability to use environmental justice tools and data to identify community needs and inform equitable outreach strategies.
Cross-Cultural and Tribal Engagement Skills - Ability to work collaboratively with Tribal communities, Indigenous peoples, communities of color, immigrant communities, and rural or low-income populations to build trust and support program goals.
Climate, Environmental, or Public Health Outreach Expertise - Experience developing outreach or educational materials on climate change, environmental topics, or public health issues.
Writing and Editing Proficiency - Strong skill in writing, editing, and reviewing outreach and educational materials to ensure clarity, accuracy, and accessibility for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

Coordinate regional training and outreach efforts for the F-Gas Section to promote consistent, high-quality education across the state.
Collaborate with the COEES Team Lead and other F-Gas Section staff to evaluate outreach activities and strengthen cross-regional alignment.
Communicate HFC requirements clearly and confidently to regulated businesses, community groups, Tribal governments, and members of the public.
Develop and manage outreach and communication plans that support successful HFC program implementation.
Create and distribute accessible educational materials, including newsletters, fact sheets, presentations, brochures, and displays, to help audiences understand program requirements.
Plan, implement and facilitate workshops, trainings, office hours, conferences, and meetings.
Give public presentations or table events.
Work directly with external partners to plan training activities tailored to their needs and specialties.
Establish and carry out outreach and education strategies that help regulated communities understand HFC program expectations and compliance steps.
Represent Ecology during meetings, workshops, and field visits with interested groups, e.g. health districts, regional clean air agencies, or conferences throughout ERO and CRO.
Conduct environmental, economic, health, and demographic research to help identify overburdened communities and inform equitable outreach approaches.
Integrate environmental justice and Title VI best practices into all project work, using tools such as the Environmental Health Disparities Map.