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Office of Equity and Environmental Justice Manager

Washington State Department of Ecology
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Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
 
The Department of Ecology is looking to fill the Office of Equity and Environmental Justice Manager (EMS Band 3) position. This position is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. 
If you are passionate about disrupting oppression and disparities, managing high-stakes projects, and engaging diverse communities you'll thrive in this position. Your ability to demonstrate value for diverse perspectives, and promote brave spaces for courageous dialogue and learning are essential. 

The 2021 legislative session was transformational with passage of legislation that prioritizes and directs state government to progress on environmental and social justice. The Office of Equity and Environmental Justice Manager leads a program responsible for conceptualizing, recommending, and leading policy, system, process, and environmental changes within Ecology and in our service delivery to advance equity and environmental justice for all. 

Changes must align with agency and state enterprise-level efforts, as well as legislatively directed actions eliminating disproportionate environmental burdens on Black, Indigenous, People of Color and low-income communities. 

In this role you’ll champion efforts within and outside of Ecology to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, respect, and environmental justice. You’ll invest your time working with Executive Leaders within Ecology and with other government agencies, tribal communities, and various external partners to implement agency-wide initiatives to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR), and environmental justice (EJ) for our communities.
 
You’ll build the first office of its kind within Ecology, consistent with the Healthy Environment for All Act (HEAL Act) obligations and state priorities for developing and supporting a culture that embraces humble inquiry, courage, and cultural humility.

We’ll count on you to collaborate with all agency programs to identify and address inequities experienced by traditionally overburdened and underserved communities and to create environmental justice in our air, land, and water protection and restoration. 

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

  • A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
  • An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
  • Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
  • A wellness program that offers education, and fitness classes; an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
  • Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.  

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions. 

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive. 

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work. 

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.
We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.
 
During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. This position will be expected to be in the office at least 40% of the time once our buildings re-open to all employees and the public. Ecology is maintaining less than maximum building occupancy, and requiring masks, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 
Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of June 25, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before June 24, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

Duties


Who are we looking for?
You share our vision for addressing systemic oppression and inequality. You know the importance of achieving a more equitable and robust approach to protecting and restoring our environment. You recognize and understand when we successfully address traditionally overburdened and underserved communities, we amplify the impact of our work for the benefit of all. You believe that championing this work with other communities is critical. You have subject matter expertise and model cultural humility, knowing that these goals for equity cannot be achieved alone. You are an outstanding ambassador for this work, recognizing the important role Ecology must play to address inequities. You are ready to make policy and structural changes for durable and continual progress for the future.
 
You’re a relationship builder. You are a great communicator, listener, and facilitator who draws people into collaboration, ensuring all voices are heard and valued. You demonstrate sensitivity in relationships, conflicts, and emotionally charged situations. You appreciate that individual journeys vary in this work and you value accountability.
  
A Key Member of Ecology's Executive Leadership Team 
 
It is critical that this important position maintain the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct to support the state's commitment to efficient, effective, and accountable government.
 
This is a highly visible role leading a newly established office focused on state priorities to bring environmental justice to traditionally overburdened, underserved, low-income and predominately communities of color in Washington.

Why join the team? 
 
This is an opportunity to make an impact! You'll have the opportunity to help solve complex environmental issues, bring equity and improved public service to communities that have borne the preponderance of environmental pollution and health disparities, while also working inward with Ecology to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect so that we can thrive as individuals and be better public servants. 
What makes this role unique?
The Equity and Environmental Justice Manager supports the agency mission by ensuring that diversity, equity inclusion, respect, and environmental justice are integrated into policies, processes, programs, and decisions so that Ecology’s work to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations is realized for all. 

What you'll do: 
Support agency to review program policies, practices (including budget), and engagement efforts on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, respect, and environmental justice. Recommend, elevate and/or lead changes at the organizational, state and federal policy level where Ecology has delegated authority. Identify gaps and voices not at the table. Make recommendations and connections to community organizations, agencies, and leaders.
 
Represent Ecology for legislative efforts related to Equity and/or Environmental Justice through reviewing bills, working with legislators and Governor’s staff, and influencing policy positions. You’ll also conduct Equity Impact or Organizational Assessments and recommend changes to agency policies, processes, and practices to support the Strategic Plan and future equity and workforce goals.
 
  • Procure and manage contract(s) to carry out a baseline organizational assessment and phased environmental justice community assessment.
  • Use community engagement best practices; establish and manage clear communication channels with communities to course correct, as needed. 
  • Partner with Human Resources to integrate agency best practices to address biases in recruitment and hiring processes and retention; promote a workforce that reflects the diversity of Washington State. 
  • Partner with Human Resources to develop, deliver, and coordinate training and other educational opportunities/learning pathways that advance the agency’s goals of diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect.
  • Mentor and advise staff-level employees and leaders on community engagement efforts in alignment with the agency’s Community Engagement Guide. 
  • Ensure representation on the Environmental Justice Council. 
  • Lead the agency’s involvement in governmental changes for equity and environmental justice, including legislative recommendations.
  • Lead the development of Ecology’s community engagement plans and environmental justice assessment plans for significant agency actions.
  • Work with Executive Leadership around rules, legislation, and agency policy to inform, coordinate, and influence the program and office actions towards a more inclusive approach.
  • Engage with overburdened communities and vulnerable populations to complete environmental justice assessment obligations. 
  • Coordinate with Ecology’s Executive Advisor on Tribal Affairs and tribal governments to develop a consultation framework on the environmental justice implementation, community engagement plan, and significant agency actions that affect federally recognized tribal rights and tribal land interests.
Supervisory
  • Lead an office of at least nine positions focused on environmental justice implementation, community engagement, and Title VI compliance of the Civil Rights Act, as well as a position focused on supporting broader equity and inclusivity within the culture of Ecology.
  • Help your direct reports grow and flourish, while holding them accountable; demonstrate keen performance-based management skills.
Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

There are multiple ways to qualify for this position. See options listed below:

Option 1: A Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in environmental, physical or natural science, environmental studies, environmental justice and policy, engineering, public administration, planning public policy, political science, law, or other related qualifying discipline;

AND a minimum of:

Four (4) years of professional level management experience which includes:
  • Three (3) years of strategic planning experience, including development of annual and biannual business plans with demonstrated ability to conceptualize and articulate the future direction of the business. 
  • Three (3) years of policy development or program implementation related to natural resources or environment.
  • Three (3) years managing relationships with high-level, influential, elected and appointed officials with a proven track record of consensus building, collaboration, and negotiations that reflect a strong understanding of legislative processes and inter-government relations. 
  • Three (3) years engaging with disproportionately impacted and historically marginalized communities to also include tribal governments on natural resource management or environmental issues.
  • Three (3) years supervising professional level staff. 
  • Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate with internal and external partners and stakeholders to cultivate an environment of engagement, belonging, respect, empathy, active listening and trust. 
  • Demonstrated ability to create a workplace where differences are embraced; fosters strong sense of team through diverse points of view, talents, and capabilities.
  • Successfully leading a team through change in a complex environment and tending the human side of change and applying organizational change management principles to improve process, service delivery, culture of an organization.
  • A successful track record working with state agencies, city, county, and federal governments,
  • and tribal and public entities.
Please note: Experience in each of the areas may have been gained concurrently.

Option 2: Additional professional level management experience (as listed above), may be used to qualify for this position in lieu of meeting educational requirements. See chart below:

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position: 
Possible Combinations
College credit hours or degree
Years of required experience – as listed above
Combination 1
No college credit hours or degree
8 years of experience
Combination 2
30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.
7 years of experience
Combination 3
60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).
6 years of experience
Combination 4
90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.
5 years of experience
Combination 5 
A Bachelor's Degree
4 years of experience


Desired Qualifications: 
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. 
  • Experience as a second-level supervisor.
  • Experience working with or applying policy decisions from the Washington Health Disparities Map.
  • Experience leading or managing in a large agency or organization.
  • Working in or collaborating with state government.
  • Leading policy and system change to advance equity initiatives.
  • Proficiency in a language other than English. 

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.
Supplemental Information

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

  • Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
  • If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
  • If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.  

Application Instructions:
It's in the applicant's best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

  • A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
  • A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
  • Three professional references.

Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable. 
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

  • Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
  • Do not attach documents that are password protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees:  
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 
The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Heather Bartlett at: Heather.Bartlett@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Heather to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance.
Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:

Student debt: how working for Ecology can help
The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.