Requisition #: 2026-WQ5270-06594. Salary Range: $56,916.00 – $76,548.00 Annually. Application Closes: August 25, 2026.

Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Central Region Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 3 within the Water Quality Program.

Location: Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Assignment Pay: 

• This bilingual-designated role requires successful completion of a Spanish language proficiency assessment (verbal and written) as part of the hiring process.
• The salary listed includes 5% bilingual assignment pay.

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.

Duties

You will be the community’s bridge to water quality awareness and action. As the Community Outreach Environmental Education Specialist, you will lead creative, hands-on learning experiences that inspire residents of all ages to become active stewards of their local environment. Through dynamic public engagement, innovative educational programming, and strong partnerships with schools, community groups, and regional partners, you will transform environmental challenges into opportunities for collective impact.

You will design and deliver outreach initiatives that make complex environmental topics accessible, relatable, and locally relevant—whether through interactive workshops, youth programs, public events, or multilingual communications. You will also help build long-term community relationships that support equitable participation and ensure every voice is heard in environmental decision-making.

What you will do: 

• Partner with technical experts to craft community-centered engagement strategies that bring water quality science to life and connect residents directly to the mission of protecting the region’s waters. 
• Serve as a cultural and linguistic bridge by providing Spanish interpretation during workshops, public meetings, school events, and neighborhood canvassing—ensuring every community member can participate fully and confidently. 
• Spark public learning through accessible outreach—sharing information via presentations, email, web content, and educational materials that help people understand and act on water quality issues. 
• Translate key outreach materials into Spanish to support inclusive communication and make environmental information easier for more families to access. 
• Guide thoughtful, on-the-ground engagement efforts—planning, implementing, and evaluating community outreach while elevating community insights and identifying emerging environmental justice needs in the Lower Yakima Valley. 
• Remove barriers to participation by identifying gaps in access, developing best practices, and creating tailored outreach tools for underserved communities, local interests, governments, industry, and the general public.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Seven (7) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Communication Skills – Ability to share information clearly with diverse audiences to support understanding and informed participation.
• Community Engagement – Ability to plan and carry out engagement activities to involve communities in program decisions and actions.
• Cultural Humility and Inclusion – Ability to work respectfully with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds to build trust and improve access to agency services.
• Outreach and Education Delivery – Ability to develop and deliver accessible outreach materials and learning opportunities to help the public understand program issues and resources.
• Bilingual Communication (English/Spanish) – Ability to translate and interpret information accurately to ensure Spanish-speaking communities can fully participate in outreach and engagement activities. This includes: verbal (speaking/listening) and written (reading/writing).
• Program and Environmental Knowledge – Ability to understand environmental issues, program activities, and regulatory requirements to share accurate information and support informed public engagement.

Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural science, education, health sciences, social services, communications or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or provide alternate reliable transportation for travel within the state of Washington.
• Must pass the verbal (speaking/listening) and written (reading/writing) Spanish language proficiency tests.

Desired Qualifications:

• Lived or professional experience with underrepresented communities. 
• An understanding of environmental justice research, demographic data, and equity focused assessments. 
• Knowledge and practice of collaborative problem solving, conflict resolution, and participatory planning.
• Experience with website and social media content development.

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 www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to 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 Damon Roberts at Damon.Roberts@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 Water Quality Program: In the Water Quality Program we approach our work with respect and trust. We are committed to building and sustaining a workplace culture that values diversity, innovation, transparency, teamwork, and continual learning. We honor our responsibility to the people of Washington to ensure our state waters continue to support our communities and the environment for future generations.

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.