Oil Spill Drill Specialist (Environmental Planner 3)

State of Washington•Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Oil Spill Drill Specialist (Environmental Planner 3) within the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program. This position can be based at any of the following duty stations: Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA, or Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station. Note: If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County. The salary range is $6,067 - $8,162 monthly. This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, with a minimum of one day per week required in the office. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Applications submitted after October 18, 2026, may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed. In this role, you will manage multiple oil spill drills at different stages of completion while ensuring each one meets detailed regulatory expectations. You will interpret complex requirements, develop realistic and effective drill scenarios, and evaluate performance with consistency and fairness. You will also balance simultaneous deadlines, coordinate with many organizations, and ensure accurate documentation, all of which require strong organization and sustained focus. You also review drill evaluation reports prepared by others, which means you must pay close attention to detail, use sound judgment, and maintain high quality across a significant amount of information. In this position, you shape Washington’s oil spill readiness by designing and evaluating drills that directly influence preparedness and environmental protection. You will work closely with operators of facilities, pipelines, railroads, vessels, and specialized response contractors, giving you an inside view into the broader response community. Each drill you design or evaluate brings new scenarios, technologies, and problem-solving opportunities, keeping your work dynamic and intellectually engaging. You will also support real-world spill responses through your participation on the Incident Management Team and involvement in spill events, connecting your preparedness work to real outcomes on the ground.

Requirements

8 years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
Communication – Ability to clearly share information to support effective collaboration. Ability to work respectfully with others and maintain professionalism to support a productive work environment.
Critical Thinking and Judgment – Ability to assess information and apply sound judgment to make effective decisions and solve problems.
Time and Task Management – Ability to organize and prioritize work to manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines.
Documentation – Ability to document work and maintain accurate records.
Project and Activity Coordination – Ability to plan, organize, and guide work activities to ensure tasks and required events are completed on schedule.
Evaluation and Quality Review – Ability to objectively review processes, activities, and documents to ensure accuracy, clarity, and effectiveness.
Facilitation and Interested Party Engagement – Ability to lead discussions with internal and external partners to share information, resolve issues, and support program goals.
Data and Information Management – Ability to use databases and tracking systems to maintain accurate records and support reporting needs.
Field Operations – Ability to safely work in field environments (including but not limited to oil handling facilities, vessels, and near spill sites) and use personal protective equipment.
Education: Involving a major study in environmental science, law, or policy; geography; public administration with an environmental emphasis; emergency management; or closely related field.
Examples of how to qualify: 8 years of experience. 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits. 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree). 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits. 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree. 2 years of experience AND a Master’s degree. 1 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
This position is part of the Spills Program Incident Management Team (IMT) and Crisis Management Team and is required to complete and maintain continual training as required by the Program for IMT position qualifications.
40-hour HAZWOPER certification and annual 8-hour refresher.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
Hold and maintain eligibility and certification to permit travel to and from Canada, including passport or Enhanced Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Incident Command System (ICS) – Knowledge of the ICS and the national response system framework.
Experience applying these principles to oil spill responses
Oil Spill Drill Design and Evaluation
Oil Spill Planning and Preparedness

Responsibilities

Design, coordinate, and manage multiple oil spill drills to verify the effectiveness of contingency plans.
Establish drill objectives, scope, scenarios, and evaluation criteria that meet regulatory requirements.
Evaluate drill performance objectively and document findings, trends, and lessons learned.
Conduct final reviews of drill evaluations to ensure accuracy, clarity, quality, and consistent data entry.
Facilitate meetings with regulated industry, contractors, and other involved groups, providing technical guidance throughout the drill design process.
Provide administrative support to the Unit Supervisor, including drill data reporting, quality assurance, and development of team resources.
Participate in spill response activities as part of the Incident Management Team and through the Preparedness Pager Duty roster.
Track, schedule, and ensure completion of all required drills and design meetings within annual and triennial cycles.