Climate Policy: Session Aide - Legislative & Policy Specialist (Environmental Planner 1)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

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.

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.

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

Schedule:

• 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.

Application Timeline:

• 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. Key responsibilities include:

• 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.

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

Required Qualifications: 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 meetings, hearings, and work sessions to support timely responses and effective participation by program staff and managers.

• Office Software – Experienced in using Microsoft Office applications.

Experience must include at least 60 days working for or with a legislative body.

Education involving a major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 6 years of experience.

• 5 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.

• 4 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).

• 3 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.

• 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.

• A Master’s degree or above

Desired Qualifications:• Legislative & Governmental Understanding – Ability to understand and apply Washington State legislative processes and governmental administrative structures to support clear, accurate legislative tracking, analysis, and coordination.

• Legislative Tracking Systems – Ability to use legislative tracking tools to enter, track, update, and share bill analyses and legislative documents to maintain accurate and accessible session records.

• Environmental, Climate, and Transportation Policy Awareness – Ability to work with environmental laws, climate policies, transportation policy, transportation fuels, zero-emission vehicle topics, and tools and principles of environmental justice to support meaningful legislative research and document development.

• Communication & Presentation Skills – Skilled with preparing presentations, talking points, and written materials to convey complex policy, fiscal, or regulatory information clearly, accurately, and effectively.

• Customer & Constituent Support – Experienced in responding to questions and requests to provide clear, accurate information and support positive interactions through well-crafted responses and support documents.

• Research & Analytical Skills – Ability to conduct policy or regulatory research, interpret complex directives and regulations, and compile well-organized written reports to support legislative planning and program decision-making.

• Collaboration & Problem-Solving – Skilled with working collaboratively, following directions, thinking conceptually, and contributing

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR 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.

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 the following required documents:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position

• Resume

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.

Need an Accommodation? If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or [email protected]

• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Tamara Jones at [email protected].

• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at [email protected]

About the Climate Pollution Reduction Program The Climate Pollution Reduction Program's (CPRP) mission is to guide Washington to a net zero future by 2050. We implement policies that encourage businesses and individuals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a clean energy economy. CPRP focuses long-term, requiring creative and strategic decision-making for implementation to achieve broad statewide and interstate success reducing carbon emissions in the state of Washington so residents have a healthy environment and climate.

About the Department of Ecology As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology 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. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentive, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, 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.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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