Environmental Justice Water Resource Planner; Environmental Planner

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Environmental Justice Water Resource Planner (Environmental Planner
4) within the Water Resources Program.

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

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

• Apply by March 17, 2026.
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

In this position, you will join a team of passionate professionals, who are working collaboratively to ensure water availability in Washington for years to come. This is a unique opportunity and the first of its kind to take a deep dive into the program’s inner workings and bring environmental justice to the forefront of decision making. As the Water Resources Environmental Justice (EJ) Program Planner, you will develop and implement program plans, policies and conduct research in support of HEAL Act implementation, other legal requirements and program EJ strategy to effectively operationalize agency priorities, policies, protocols on equity, environmental justice, and civil rights for the program.

• Develop a program-wide framework that identifies the factors, specific geographic areas, and demographic populations that are overburdened communities and vulnerable populations for water resources, access, and supply.
• Develop a framework that identifies environmental justice (EJ) concerns/challenges within the program and our areas of work.
• Track and report on EJ strategies.
• Communicate verbally and in writing to Tribes, water users, and the public on HEAL Act obligations, and EJ strategies related to WR.
• Participate in work groups, representing the Water Resources Program for HEAL Act implementation, and report back to staff and management as needed.
• Conduct analysis for EJ Assessments and budget and legislative proposals.

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

Nine years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related experience.

• Strategic Planning, Tracking, and Reporting Experience – Experience developing program strategies, setting and tracking performance metrics, and reporting on progress to support compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Engagement, Outreach, and Facilitation Experience – Demonstrated experience engaging with Tribes, overburdened and vulnerable communities, community-based organizations, and interagency partners, including planning and facilitating work groups and supporting inclusive public outreach processes.
• Environmental Justice, Equity, and Civil Rights Expertise – Demonstrated knowledge of environmental justice principles and civil rights requirements, including the HEAL Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the ability to apply these frameworks within a public sector or regulatory program.
• Policy Analysis, Research, and Program Implementation Experience – Proven ability to conduct policy and data analysis, develop and implement program-level policies and procedures, and support legislative, budget, and strategic planning efforts related to environmental or natural resource programs.
• Strong Communication, Collaboration, and Professional Judgment – Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across programs and agencies, navigate complex or controversial…