Climate Change: Greenhouse Gas Inventory Unit Supervisor (Natural Resource Scientist 4)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

34d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Greenhouse Gas Inventory Unit Supervisor (Natural Resource Scientist 4) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP). This role serves as a state expert in greenhouse gas emissions inventory development and trend analysis. The supervisor will lead a team of scientists, modelers, and emissions analysts in planning and executing complex analyses of GHG emissions inventories, setting team goals, and implementing advanced modeling and accounting procedures. The team's work is crucial for measuring Washington’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, assessing progress towards state emission reduction targets for 2030, 2040, and 2050, and informing policymaker decisions. The position also involves responding to agency and legislative requests and interfacing with various internal and external stakeholders, including other government agencies, Tribes, NGOs, and legislative staff.

Requirements

Ten years of research experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
Demonstrated competence in guiding, coaching, and developing staff to build a collaborative, high-performing team that consistently delivers high-quality analytical and programmatic outcomes.
Skilled in conveying complex or technical information clearly and tailoring communication approaches to support shared understanding and coordinated work across programs and initiatives.
Expertise in setting priorities, planning long-term work, and aligning people and resources to meet organizational goals, statutory timelines, and evolving program needs.
Demonstrated competence in navigating organizational structures and understanding the broader policy environment to advance program goals, inform decision-making, and ensure successful implementation of key initiatives.
Experienced in coordinating multiple projects, establishing clear expectations, and ensuring timely, accurate completion of program deliverables in fast-moving or deadline-driven environments.
Skilled in evaluating the implications of proposed policies, assessing potential outcomes, and formulating well-supported recommendations that help guide program direction and support agency priorities.
Demonstrated competence in reviewing technical literature, synthesizing scientific findings, and applying evidence-based insights to improve program methods, analytical approaches, and decision-making.
Expertise in applying national or international emissions accounting standards, evaluating methodological changes, and guiding development of accurate and defensible emissions estimates.
Knowledge of using modeling platforms, analytical tools, and data management systems to integrate diverse datasets and generate reliable analyses that support program outcomes.
Research experience in one of the following areas: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Science, Climate Modeling, Atmospheric Science, or Emissions Forecasting, Environmental Policy Analysis or Climate Policy Evaluation, Environmental Data Science or Environmental Statistics.
Education involving a major study in a natural science, including physical, life, and/or earth sciences.

Nice To Haves

Advanced knowledge of global climate science, carbon accounting principles, and greenhouse gas inventory or modeling practices to support program methodology and analysis.
Experience guiding scientific, analytical, or technical professionals to ensure high-quality work, consistent standards, and professional growth.
Demonstrated competence in applying research or analytical findings to support program recommendations or contribute to policy development for agency or legislative decision-making.
Skilled in designing or implementing QA/QC processes for complex datasets or analytical products to ensure accuracy, defensibility, and consistency over time.
Experience working within local, state, or federal government programs or administrative structures to support alignment with statutory requirements, budgeting or reporting expectations, and overall operational practices.

Responsibilities

Lead the overall design, planning, and implementation of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Unit, and statewide greenhouse gas emissions estimates.
Manage the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, State Agency Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, and Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program activities; including data collection, analysis, management, and reporting, and adhere to statutory deadlines.
Participate in development and updating of national greenhouse gas accounting and verification protocols, tracks development of national greenhouse gas reporting rules.
Coordinate the development of training materials and interactions with other state agencies & programs (e.g. State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP), Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program, etc.).
Develop positions, recruit, hire and train staff to carry out the state’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory assessments.
Estimate and track greenhouse gas pollutant emissions; identify co-benefits of greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Write, review, and conduct analysis of technological developments, state and federal legislation, and regulations.
Provide expert technical assistance and respond to technical issues and questions on the calculation of state / federal greenhouse gas emissions inventories and related topics from legislators, news media, and other external groups; including assigning, and reviewing, work to specific unit specialists.
Serve as the agency representative and subject matter expert in internal and external processes involving statewide greenhouse gas emission inventories.
Provide expertise on statewide greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies to identify, develop, and recommend policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve state greenhouse gas emissions reduction requirements.