Climate Policy: Session Aide - Legislative & Policy Specialist; Environmental Planner

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Session Aide - Legislative & Policy Specialist (Environmental Planner
1) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program.

Note: This is a temporary position that will end six months from your start date in this role. This position has the potential to be converted to a permanent position depending on funding.

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

• This position may be eligible for telework.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office. This position is expected to be in the office for a full workday every Tuesday. More may be required, based on business needs.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

• Apply by 11:59pm on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Do you have an interest in environmental policy? Would you like to help champion climate policy and contribute to moving it through the Washington State legislative process? If so, we hope you'll join our team!

As the Session Aide – Legislative & Policy Specialist with the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP), you will support the fast-paced work of the legislative session by coordinating internal bill-tracking activities, managing legislative workflows, conducting policy research, and preparing high-quality materials that inform decision-makers. Working closely with the Senior Legislative Planner, subject matter experts, agency leadership, Governmental Relations, Budget, and legal staff, you will play a key role in ensuring CPRP’s legislative work is accurate, timely, and aligned with program and agency priorities.

• Tracking legislation, coordinating internal bill analysis workflows in the agency’s legislative tracking platform, and providing technical assistance to staff as needed.
• Conducting legislative research and preparing summaries, analysis, and draft materials such as bill analyses, fiscal notes, testimony, letters, and presentations.
• Preparing program staff for legislative meetings, hearings, and work sessions; taking notes and tracking follow-up items.
• Coordinating with CPRP and Attorney General staff, Governmental Relations, and Budget on bill analyses, fiscal notes, and hearing outcomes.
• Assisting with the development of implementation plans for recently passed legislation and planning for legislative reports.
• Supporting scheduling, agenda development, and preparation of materials for internal and external legislative meetings.

Six years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Communication Skills – Ability to communicate clearly and promptly in writing and verbally to produce accurate, concise, and well-organized legislative materials and updates to support effective program decision-making.
• Attention to Detail – Demonstrated competence with reviewing and editing bill analyses, correspondence, and meeting materials to ensure clarity, accuracy, consistency, and completeness.
• Legislative Analysis & Research – Ability to research, analyze, and summarize legislation, policies, and related information to support development of bill analyses, fiscal notes, and program implementation planning.
• Coordination & Information Sharing – Skilled with gathering, organizing, and communicating legislative information to ensure program staff are aware of key hearings, bill progress, follow-up needs, and session priorities.
• Meeting & Hearing Support – Ability to prepare agendas, materials, and notes for…