JOB DESCRIPTION

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Geothermal Senior Planner (Environmental Planner 4)  within the Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) program. 

Note: This is a temporary position that will end on June 30, 2027.  It may be extended based on funding availability.
 

Location:

This position can be based at any of the following duty stations:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

• Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA.

• Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA.

• 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. Salary range: $6703- $9012 monthly.

Schedule:

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

• One to two days per week of on-site attendance is required

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

Application Timeline:

• Apply by September 10, 2026.

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

Duties

This Geothermal Senior Planner position provides a unique opportunity to lead Washington’s emerging statewide geothermal energy planning and policy efforts within Ecology’s Shorelands & Environmental Assistance (SEA) Program. In this role, you will guide multi-agency collaboration, facilitate complex policy discussions, and deliver high-visibility legislative and technical reports that inform Washington’s transition to clean energy. You will serve as a senior planning consultant to the Clean Energy Coordination Section Manager, shaping policy direction, supporting future statewide planning and rulemaking, and ensuring consistent, transparent, and legally defensible processes related to geothermal development.

You will also support Ecology’s coordination of the geothermal energy collaborative process established by the Legislature—bringing together state agencies, Tribal governments, local governments, industry, utilities, and community interests to identify risks, opportunities, and regulatory needs associated with geothermal technologies. Through this work, you will develop guidance, regulatory gap analyses, outreach materials, environmental review support, and planning documents that advance agency priorities and contribute to the long-term protection and sustainable use of Washington’s natural resources.

What you will do:

• Support Ecology’s statewide geothermal energy collaborative process, managing cross-program and multi-agency teams to develop legislative reports, technical analyses, environmental review support, and statewide guidance documents.

• Coordinate with experts across Ecology, other state agencies, federal partners, Tribal governments, local governments, industry, utilities, and community groups to ensure inclusive, informed, and well-aligned planning and environmental review processes.

• Research existing regulatory frameworks and conduct regulatory gap analyses to evaluate the need for future statewide planning, policy development, and rulemaking related to geothermal energy.

• Provide senior-level planning, policy interpretation, and technical consultation to Ecology leadership, program managers, and staff on geothermal topics, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) processes, regulatory implications, and interagency coordination.

• Facilitate resolution of complex, sensitive, and high-profile issues involving diverse perspectives, technical uncertainty, emerging technologies, and major environmental considerations.

• Support SEPA planning and project review activities by coordinating technical input, reviewing impact analyses, and ensuring documents are clear, consistent, and meet procedural and legal standards.

• Plan, coordinate, and conduct public meetings, hearings, workshops, and comment periods, developing accessible materials and ensuring meaningful engagement of Tribes, community members, and interested parties.

• Represent Ecology at multi-agency workgroups, public forums, advisory committees, and policy discussions related to geothermal development, clean energy planning, and statewide environmental review.

• Develop and refine tools, guidance, and communication products—working closely with internal and external communications experts—to ensure information is accurate, transparent, and accessible to diverse audiences.

• Ensure all deliverables, including legislative reports and technical documents, are efficient, effective, defensible, and aligned with agency policy, scientific information, and interested parties expectations.

• Support broader Clean Energy Coordination Section priorities by contributing to statewide planning documents, environmental reviews, interagency coordination efforts, and rulemaking activities related to clean energy development.

Application Process

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 job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume
• A writing sample you created.

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.
 

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.