Environmental Planner 2

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) supports underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators in meeting financial responsibility and environmental cleanup requirements. The Environmental Planner 2 supports the agency’s Financial Assurance (FA) Program, which provides funding to Washington State petroleum UST owners and operators for cleanup of accidental tank leaks. The role works with agency units and external parties, reviews program applications and environmental and facility materials, and helps ensure that programs and participants follow applicable state and federal rules. The position provides information and assistance to program customers, evaluates financial requests and payment documentation, and supports the administration and improvement of the FA Program. It reports to the Project Planning & Programs Supervisor. PLIA offers a flexible hybrid work environment; the position may require at least one day per week at the Olympia office and occasional travel for meetings and training. Core working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with hybrid or flexible shifts available.

Requirements

Seven years of professional experience 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 a closely related field, subject to the listed education and experience substitutions.
Alternatively, one year of professional experience as an Environmental Planner 1; or a relevant bachelor's degree and three years of specified professional experience; or a relevant master's degree or higher and one year of specified professional experience.
Knowledge of planning principles and techniques; environmental laws; policies and programs concerning state resource development; the organization of local and state governments; and environmental, social, and other issues affecting local and state resource development.
Ability to accept responsibility for major program activities, create long-term work plans, review information and make clear decisions consistent with state rules, and understand and apply rules, regulations, and policies.
Ability to communicate clearly and write simple, accurate emails and documents.
Ability to maintain honesty, professionalism, confidentiality, ethical behavior, and trust with coworkers and customers.
Ability to support agency diversity, equity, and inclusion values and help create a fair, inclusive, and respectful workplace.
Ability to learn and grow, balance work and personal life, multitask, and handle stress in a changing workplace.
Ability to recognize and address others’ needs, build teamwork with coworkers and customers, and remain calm and helpful with difficult customers.
Submit a letter of interest, a current resume detailing experience and education, and a current list of at least three professional references with current contact information.

Responsibilities

Provide clear information about FA Program applications, enrollment, and financial request processing.
Review financial requests from program participants to determine eligibility and validity.
Review facility reports for compliance with program rules and regulations.
Check payment requests for completeness and accuracy, and approve payments after confirming requests are valid.
Respond to appeals following denials of financial requests.
Contact program participants to assess their satisfaction with services after financial requests are processed.
Respond to technical assistance questions and perform other tasks related to financial request processing.
Help administer the FA Program.
Review FA Program policies and procedures and recommend improvements to program operations and customer service.
Share program improvement summaries with the supervisor.
Update program materials, including cost guidelines.