Climate Pollution Reduction Program Contracts and Grants Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Program Grants and Contracts Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP).

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, 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. 

Application Timeline:

• Apply by March 22, 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

The Climate Pollution Reduction Program (CPRP) is seeking a highly organized and collaborative Program Grants and Contracts Specialist to join our team. In this role, you will lead the development, negotiation, and management of complex grant and contract agreements that support Washington’s climate initiatives. You will serve as the budget lead for Tribal grants and manage all CPRP contracts, including those supporting Cap-and-Invest, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Clean Fuel Standards, and Information Technology projects. Your work will involve overseeing the full grant lifecycle, from coordinating application processes and drafting agreements to reviewing reimbursement requests, tracking progress, and completing closeouts. In addition, you’ll provide guidance and training to grant recipients, Tribal partners, and program staff, while ensuring financial, program, and policy compliance. As the CPRP procurement coordinator, you'll also direct competitive procurement processes, working closely with Ecology’s contracts office and technical subject matter experts to draft procurement documents, conducting evaluations and debriefs, and write contracts for the successful bidder. If you find satisfaction in managing complex projects, solving problems, and working closely with others to make a positive impact, we encourage you to apply!

Duties will include:

• Negotiate, implement, and monitor CPRP grant and contract agreements, ensuring terms meet program needs and comply with state, federal, and agency requirements.
• Coordinate the full grant application, review, award, and closeout processes for assigned programs, resolving issues and supporting recipients to ensure equitable, timely, and efficient administration.
• Review and process grant reimbursement requests, payment approvals, and contract amendments, ensuring eligibility, accuracy, and alignment with agreement terms, audit requirements, and agency policy.
• Provide technical assistance and training to project managers, grant recipients, and Tribal partners on grant administration, contract procedures, and use of the Ecology Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL) system.
• Monitor and track the status of CPRP grants and contracts, deliverables, and deadlines using internal tracking systems, and assist with financial reconciliation and reporting for budget and audit purposes.
• Manage the competitive procurement processes for CPRP, including developing solicitations, facilitating evaluations, and finalizing contracts.
• Represent CPRP in agency-wide grant, contract, and procurement workgroups, contributing to policy updates, system improvements, and program planning efforts.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

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

• Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the duties of the position, which must include managing the full lifecycle of contracts and grants, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, organizational policies, and funding requirements. Candidates should possess a track record of success in analytical thinking, communication, and managing complex projects, all essential for effective funding oversight and risk reduction. 

• Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
  • Negotiating, preparing, and managing complex contracts and grant agreements, ensuring compliance with applicable policies and timely execution of payments and closeouts. 
  • Conducting detailed reviews and oversight of grant activities to ensure technical and regulatory compliance, while resolving eligibility issues and maintaining accurate records for audit and reporting purposes.
  • Providing training and technical guidance to staff and grant recipients, supporting their understanding of systems and policies through coordinated educational efforts and cross-agency collaboration.
  • Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
  • Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.
  • Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data. 
• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, business administration, financial management, public administration, 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.
• 4 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Desired Qualifications:

• Grant/loan and/or other related financial management experience.
• Experience with Washington State contracts, grants, or accounting system.
• Understanding or knowledge of working with Tribes in a government-to-government capacity.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles. 

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 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:

• 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 careers@ecy.wa.gov
• 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 Kelcy Shaffer at Kelcy.Shaffer@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.

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 Incentives, 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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