Climate Change Outreach Specialist (Coees3) Internal ONLY

Position: Climate Change Outreach Specialist (COEES3) INTERNAL ONLY
This recruitment is open only to current Department of Ecology employees, including those on temporary or project assignments, and Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Climate Change Outreach Specialist (Community Outreach & Environmental Education Specialist
3) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP).

NOTE:

This is a temporary position and developmental opportunity to fill an extended vacancy scheduled to end May 31, 2027. If the permanent employee returns early, the temporary position may end early. If the permanent employee does not return, Ecology may choose to direct appoint and elevate the temporary position to permanent status.

Location:

* Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA.

* Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

* This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.

* 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.

* Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

* Apply by August 20, 2026.

* Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

In this role, you will serve as the outreach and education specialist for your eastern and central regional teammates in the Climate Pollution Reduction Program's F-Gas Section. You will support our statewide Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emission reduction program's communication and education. (HFCs are considered climate super-pollutants, meaning you will be helping our team reduce climate changing emissions in Washington State!)

In tandem with the Outreach Team Lead (based in Lacey), you will develop accessible print and electronic materials, plan and coordinate education events; and support outreach to regulated communities. The position also helps strategize environmental justice compliance and program implementation by conducting outreach campaigns and surveys, managing and analyzing engagement data, and providing technical assistance to regional F-Gas Section staff. All communication, engagement, and outreach activities must align with Washington's environmental justice law (HEAL Act), Ecology's Community Engagement Plan and Tribal Consultation Framework, and state and federal accessibility and nondiscrimination requirements, including Title VI language and disability access.

This position plays a key role in delivering consistent, equitable, and effective HFC program communication across the state.

What you will do:

* Coordinate regional training and outreach efforts for the F-Gas Section to promote consistent, high-quality education across the state.

* Collaborate with the COEES Team Lead and other F-Gas Section staff to evaluate outreach activities and strengthen cross-regional alignment.

* Communicate HFC requirements clearly and confidently to regulated businesses, community groups, Tribal governments, and members of the public.

* Develop and manage outreach and communication plans that support successful HFC program implementation.

* Create and distribute accessible educational materials, including newsletters, fact sheets, presentations, brochures, and displays, to help audiences understand program requirements.

* Plan, implement and facilitate workshops, trainings, office hours, conferences, and meetings. Give public presentations or table events. Travel may be required for some events.

* Work directly with external partners to plan training activities tailored to their needs and specialties.

* Establish and carry out outreach and education strategies that help regulated communities understand HFC program expectations and compliance steps.

* Represent Ecology during meetings, workshops, and field visits with interested groups, e.g. health districts, regional clean air agencies, or conferences throughout ERO and CRO.

* Conduct environmental, economic, health, and demographic research to help identify overburdened communities and inform equitable outreach approaches.

* Integrate environmental justice and Title VI best practices into all project work, using tools such as the Environmental Health Disparities Map.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Seven years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

* Outreach Strategy Planning and Implementation - Experience developing and carrying out outreach and education strategies for complex technical or regulatory programs.

* Clear and Inclusive Communication - Demonstrated competence communicating regulatory or technical information in plain language to diverse audiences.

* Digital and Language Accessibility - Experience applying digital accessibility and language access standards,…