Internship Remote Climate Change Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $67,992.00 - $91,464.00 Annually
Location : Yakima County - Union Gap, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-CPR5187-03334
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Climate Pollution Reduction Program
Opening Date: 05/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Compliance Team Lead - Refrigerant Management Program (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP).
Location:

• Central Region Office in Union Gap, 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.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by May 14, 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.

Duties
Do you want your work to directly address climate change in Washington State? Does the idea of working with businesses to provide them information on how to comply with state laws interest you? Do you want to coordinate with teammates across the state to help lead a growing team of compliance inspectors that will operate throughout Washington?
If you answered "yes" to the questions above, then you might love working with our team! The Refrigerant Management Program (RMP) requires facilities with refrigeration and air conditioning systems of certain size to follow certain best practices and promptly repair leaks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The RMP's goal is to support entities in reducing emissions climate-polluting refrigerants from leaky refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. You will help them register in our program, provide technical support, and then inspect facilities to ensure they are following the rules.
As the Central Region Office Environmental Inspection and Compliance Team Lead for the RMP, you'll help Ecology reduce emissions of climate-polluting refrigerants affecting climate change. You'll navigate complex compliance inspections in your region and help synchronize inspection practices and policies across the state to ensure consistency in practice. Technical support to the RMP- regulated community, ranging from businesses to your local schools, will help them understand our refrigerant regulations and cost-effective ways to stay compliant with minimal impact to their operations. If you derive satisfaction from working on the ground to help combat climate change, this position will be a great fit for you!
Other duties of the CRO Compliance Team Lead include:

• Coordinate and conduct inspections at facilities subject to the Refrigerant Management Program (RMP).
• Assist entities inputting mandatory data into the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Management Program (RAMP) database.
• Assist junior Ecology staff on complex RMP topics.
• Attend public meetings to present the RMP rules in an understandable and digestible manner.
• Identify and resolve violations of RMP regulations.
• Mentor junior inspectors on the team (when hired) and provide general support to regional team activities.

Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our
Required Qualifications:
Nine years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the job duties, that includes two or more of the following:
  
  • Technical Assistance and Communication - Ability to provide technical assistance to businesses, including explaining technical requirements in clear, accessible language and supporting users in registering and navigating database systems.
  • Compliance Inspection and Procedure Oversight - Experience inspecting facilities or performing similar work to ensure adherence to established procedures and regulatory requirements.
  • Professional Judgment and Compliance Resolution - Skill in applying sound professional judgment to identify violations, determine appropriate corrective actions, and promote future compliance.
  • Team Leadership and Staff Development - Experience leading small teams, planning inspections or site visits, and supporting less experienced staff in developing new skills.
• Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
  
  • Environmental and Safety Compliance Inspection - Experience conducting environmental and/or safety compliance inspections or performing work that follows established standard operating procedures (SOPs), such as environmental sampling or equipment and machinery maintenance.
  • Team Collaboration Across Regions - Ability to collaborate effectively within a team environment, both within the office and with colleagues who perform similar duties in other regions.
• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.

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.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:

• Air Quality and Climate Science Knowledge - Demonstrated understanding of air quality principles and climate change science, including how these concepts apply within regulatory or compliance contexts.
• Greenhouse Gas Reduction Program Experience - Previous experience or demonstrated knowledge of state and federal greenhouse gas reduction programs, particularly those involving hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
• Ability to Explain Technical Concepts - Skill in clearly explaining basic chemistry and regulatory processes to audiences with varying levels of technical background and education.
• Communication and Analytical Skills - Strong verbal and written communication abilities, along with effective negotiation, conflict avoidance, and analytical skills.
• Environmental Compliance and Inspection Experience - Experience in environmental compliance, inspections, or auditing, with an understanding of the procedures and standards required to ensure regulatory adherence.

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.
Supplemental Information
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 .
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 DEIRis 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:

• 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
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
• 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 Leonard Machut at Leonard.Machut@ecy.wa.gov.
• 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 careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Climate Pollution Reduction Program
The Climate Pollution Reduction Program's (CPRP's) mission is to implement policies and programs to reduce carbon emissions in the state of Washington so that the state meets its statutory greenhouse gas emission limits. The 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.
Since November 2019, Washington has been transitioning away from using potent greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in products and equipment. These "super pollutant" greenhouse gases can be thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide. They're commonly used in air conditioning and refrigeration, in producing insulating foams, and as propellants.
Launched in 2024, the Refrigerant Management Program (RMP) requires facilities with refrigeration and air conditioning systems containing more than 50 pounds of certain refrigerants to conduct periodic leak inspections, promptly repair leaks, and maintain records. The rule also requires service practices intended to minimize refrigerant emissions. The RMP is designed to reduce emissions of climate-polluting refrigerants from leaky refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
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, ef