Environment Planner Jobs in Spokane, WA (NOW HIRING)

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Cleanup Grants Program Planner & Grant Manager (Environmental Planner 4) within the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP).

Location Options:

• 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: $6,703 - $9,012 monthly.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• 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.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by August 13, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

As a Toxics Cleanup Program planner and grant manager, you will help advance the Program's mission to protect Washington's people and environment by supporting cleanups that also lead to long-term community benefits. As part of the Financial Services Unit, you will work within a team that provides statewide budget, grant, and financial management services essential to moving cleanup projects from concept to completion. You will serve as the primary planner and grant manager for the Cleanup Grants Supporting Affordable Housing program, an innovative competitive grant program that links contaminated-site cleanup with affordable housing development. You will shape program direction, refine and develop policies and guidelines, provide public outreach, develop grant applications in Ecology's administration of grants and loans system (EAGL), support rulemaking efforts as needed, and maintain clear and responsive communication with applicants, recipients, and Ecology staff. You will also actively manage complex grants in EAGL, ensuring accurate documentation, cost eligibility, and timely financial oversight. If you thrive in roles that blend program development, collaboration, technical precision, and meaningful community impact, this position offers an opportunity to contribute to cleaner environments and more sustainable housing across Washington.

What you will do:

• Lead updates to Cleanup Grants Supporting Affordable Housing (CGSAH) program policies, guidelines, and program documents to reflect lessons learned, emerging needs, and improvements that strengthen clarity, consistency, and alignment with program goals.
• Build, test, and refine competitive grant solicitation applications, ensuring each cycle runs smoothly, is accessible, and supports applicants throughout the process.
• Provide timely and responsive technical assistance to applicants, recipients, and Ecology staff—helping people understand program requirements, navigate Ecology's grant platform, and move projects forward confidently.
• Manage the full lifecycle of assigned grants, including developing scopes of work, reviewing and processing payment requests, checking cost eligibility, and maintaining accurate financial oversight.
• Develop clear, accessible trainings and communication materials, such as presentations, written instructions, and recorded content, to support applicants, recipients, and staff.
• Track and evaluate CGSAH project progress, including monitoring affordable-housing end use and documenting findings that guide future program improvements.
• Plan and contribute to public-facing processes, such as guideline updates and comment periods, to support transparency, inclusive participation, and clear program communication.
• Review grant applications and related documentation to verify eligibility, ensure compliance with program requirements, and support informed and equitable funding decisions.

Required Qualifications:

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

• Program Planning and Evaluation – Experience in developing, implementing, and refining program policies, procedures, and guidance to improve effectiveness, align with agency goals, and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Grant and Contract Oversight – Demonstrated competence in managing complex grant or contract portfolios, including budget tracking, scope development, and compliance monitoring to ensure appropriate stewardship of public funds.
• Strategic Communication and Facilitation – Demonstrated ability to synthesize and convey complex policy, technical, and program information to diverse audiences in ways that support clarity, transparency, and informed participation.
• Collaborative Partnership Development – Ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with internal teams, external agencies, local governments, and community organizations to support coordinated planning and program implementation.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills – Skilled in evaluating program data, identifying emerging issues, and developing recommendations to strengthen program outcomes and reduce organizational risk.
• Public Engagement and Process Leadership – Skilled in designing and leading public engagement efforts, including comment processes, public meetings, or workshops, to support transparent and inclusive policy and program development.
• Environmental Program Planning – Ability to assess and integrate environmental, land use, and community development considerations to support equitable, sustainable project and program outcomes.
• Data and Systems Proficiency – Experience using data systems, tracking tools, or electronic grant management platforms to support accurate documentation, reporting, and decision-making.

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

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master's degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Desired Qualifications:

• Grant or Contract Management with Financial Oversight – Experience managing grants or contracts with significant financial oversight responsibilities, including developing agreements or amendments, negotiating scopes, reviewing complex financial documentation, and ensuring compliance with statutes, policies, and audit requirements.
• Application of Equity Assessments – Experience applying equity assessments or environmental justice frameworks to inform program, policy, or process improvements.
• Knowledge of Cleanup or Environmental Regulatory Frameworks – Knowledge of environmental cleanup regulations such as the Model Toxics Control Act or similar frameworks, and the ability to apply them to program planning or grant eligibility decisions.
• Knowledge of Affordable Housing Developments – Knowledge of affordable housing development, funding components, and project timelines.
• Community Collaboration Experience – Experience collaborating with Tribal communities, Indigenous people, communities of color, immigrant communities, and populations that may be linguistically isolated, rural, or low income.

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.