Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) Manager (WMS2)

Salary : $66,936.00 - $122,844.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-EFSEC-008
Department: Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council
Opening Date: 09/21/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
This posting is Open Until Filled. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.
Schedule: This is a full-time position. Work schedule is normally Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; however, you must be willing to workdays or hours outside of approved schedule as required to meet business needs. You may spend time traveling during and outside normal work hours throughout the state, including overnight stays when necessary.
**A flexible/hybrid shift may be available with supervisor approval. You will be required to alter your schedule based on office needs.
Who we are:
EFSEC was created in 1970 to provide "one stop" siting and permitting for large energy projects. By establishing the Council, the state legislature centralized the evaluation and oversight of large energy facilities within one state agency. The legislature cited the necessity of balancing the need for new energy facilities with the broad interests of the public. As part of the balancing process, the Council must take into account protection of environmental quality, the safety of energy facilities, and concern for energy availability.
The Council's responsibilities are listed in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 80.50. These responsibilities include siting large natural gas and oil pipelines, thermal electric power plants that are 350 megawatts or greater and their dedicated transmission lines, new oil refineries or large expansions of existing facilities, and underground natural gas storage fields. Energy facilities of any size that exclusively use alternative energy resources (wind, solar, geothermal, landfill gas, wave or tidal action, or biomass energy) can opt-in to the EFSEC review and certification process as with certain electrical transmission lines. EFSEC's authority does not extend to hydropower plants or thermal electric plants that are less than 350 megawatts.
For facilities under its jurisdiction, EFSEC has been delegated authority by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to issue permits under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Federal Clean Air Act.
What you will be doing:You will administer all program aspects related to SSB-5165for the completion of one or more Programmatic Environmental Impact Statements (PEISs) for electrical transmission across the state. This includes, but is not limited to, establishing necessary unit staffing, determining the overall scope and necessary resources to complete work described in the Bill, processes and any rules needed, providing on-going oversite and progress reports, and working with Legislators and stakeholders to ensure transparent and effective processes. Ensures the PEIS and final recommendations are consistent with State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) reviews, the permitting requirements under the federal Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, screening of local land use requirements and zoning, and State air and water quality discharge requirements.
To learn more about us, please visit: http://www.efsec.wa.gov/
Duties
Some of what you'll be doing will include:

• Administers program for PEIS completion for statewide electrical transmission routes, to include supervision of staff and resources, managing partnerships, stakeholder involvement and coordination of multiple roles across several agencies in the PEIS process, overseeing the reviews of multiple potential sites for placement of energy facilities and development of the PEIS with recommendations to the Council.
• Serves as the agency expert for the electrical transmission PEIS and related processes involved in development of the PEIS. Will be called upon to brief executive leadership and Council members on progress, develop periodic progress reports and manage the PEIS project to completion.
• Works closely with EFSEC leadership, the Council and Chair, stakeholders and government/non-government agencies and Tribes. Testifies before the Legislature, Administrative Hearings, EFSEC Council, and public hearings as needed.
• Coordinates with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., state, local, and /or tribal governments) to develop, implement, and review policy as it relates to siting transmission lines across the state.
• Interacts on behalf of the agency and Director with prospective clients, contractors, Tribal Governments, and the public on matters related to the PEIS and siting transmission lines across the state. This includes attending statutorily required public meetings, ensuring public comment periods occur, and the open meetings act (OPMA) is followed in all steps requiring public input and testimony.
• Ensures all controls are in place to maintain full compliance with state and federal laws, ensures processes are developed and programs deliver on expected results.

Qualifications
Required Education, Experience, and Competencies.
Master's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Eco Hydrology, or closely related field
AND
Three (3) years of experience managing or administering programs.
OR
Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Eco Hydrology or a closely related field
AND
Five (5) years of professional experience managing or administering programs.
AND

• Knowledge of Washington energy facility siting laws and regulations, state, and federal state environmental regulations (air emissions, water use and water discharge, wetlands, fish & wildlife), State Environmental Policy Act laws and procedures, Administrative Procedure Act (adjudicative proceedings, rule making), state budgeting procedures, legislative procedures and processes.
• Must have strong communications skills to convey complex environmental and siting procedural issues to state and local agencies, tribal governments, the public, and media. Able to work cooperatively in very contentious and adversarial settings. Capable of explaining and interpreting laws and rules to attorneys as well as the lay public.
• Provide leadership and vision in development of policies and procedures for EFSEC activities and processes. Ability to build and maintain strong and effective working relationships with the EFSEC Chair; Council members; staff; interested organizations; federal, state, and local agencies; contractors and the public.

Position Specific Competencies:

• Customer Focus - Responsive to both internal and external customers. Works with customer to identify needs; assumes responsibility for own role in meeting those needs. Ensures commitments to customers are met. Receptive to customer feedback.
• Results Focus - Accepts personal accountability for individual results or share of team results. Manages workload and interpersonal relationships to achieve results: prioritizes tasks appropriately, overcomes obstacles, works with others as necessary, and meets deadlines and quality standards.
• Communication Skills - Demonstrates communication skills (reading comprehension, writing, listening, speaking) appropriate to the position. Shows respect and courtesy in interpersonal communications.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Open to new ideas. Responds constructively to change and stressful situations. In consultation with supervisor, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
• Self-Development - Demonstrates proactive learning. Keeps knowledge and skills up to date. Solicits and accepts constructive feedback. Seeks developmental assignments to improve skills. Turns challenges into learning opportunities.
• Supervisory (additional competencies for supervisors and managers)
• Leadership - Develops teamwork through leadership defines team standards, responsibilities, processes, and goals. Promotes a cooperative and respectful work environment. Works for consensus. Anticipates and resolves conflicts. Identifies opportunities in adverse situations. Leverages team diversity to improve team effectiveness; promotes unique team talents. Appropriately and timely shares information, internally and externally. Models desired behavior.
• People Development - Provides ongoing performance feedback and encouragement, documents through timely and meaningful PDPs. Assumes coaching and mentoring roles, as appropriate. Provides developmental opportunities. Delegates assignments to improve skills. Recognizes results.
• Planning - Develops realistic plans, aligned with agency goals; sets specific goals for area(s) of responsibility. Creates contingency plans. Coordinates plans with others. Plans for and maximizes resources. Understands assigned program area and addresses relevant trends in planning.
• Strategic Thinking - Communicates a long-term vision. Balances short- and long-term goals. Keeps own and team's work aligned with overall goals. Appropriate to managerial level: (1) Addresses staffing, infrastructure, organization design, culture, and risk management issues in strategic plans. (2) Demonstrates creativity and innovation in developing or adapting strategic plans. (3) Shows an awareness of the external environment and trends that contributes to ability to work effectively.

PREFERRED/DESIRED:

• Knowledgeable in conducting SEPA analyses, able to advise and lead agency determinations for SEPA
• Knowledgeable in issues and impacts associated with energy facilities
• Experience with environmental compliance across several categories including air, water and waste compliance

Supplemental Information
Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting;
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education;
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the application. Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified.
Conditions of Employment:

• Conflict of Interest: RCW 80.01.020 limits the commission's ability to employ any person who owns stock in any company the commission regulates or is otherwise financially interested in such company.
• Background Check Notice:
  Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Opportunity for All:
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.
Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or email
Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums th...