Tribal Clean Energy Specialist (EMS2)
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Washington State Department of Commerce seeks a policy professional to advance energy and climate policy in partnership with tribal communities across Washington. You will convene diverse stakeholders—tribal leaders, lawmakers, agencies, and advocates—to design and implement policy options that reflect tribal sovereignty and state climate goals.
You’ll develop initiatives, analyze regulatory contexts, and support grant programs while coordinating with the Office of Tribal Relations and other
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in economics, public/business administration, public policy, or a closely related field.
- Minimum five years of experience in public policy, energy policy, or climate policy.
- Strong written, verbal and presentation skills for non-technical audiences.
- Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Experience with tribal governments and tribal consultation processes.
- Knowledge of regulatory and economic environment in Washington.
Responsibilities
- Develop legislative, policy and program initiatives to advance energy, climate and equity objectives in Washington.
- Engage tribal organizations, government, industry, advocacy groups, and research institutions to identify policy options and barriers.
- Develop, recommend and implement policy options to increase equity and reduce pollution from greenhouse gases.
- Prepare testimony, reports, presentations, and communications to explain tribal interests in energy and climate policies.
- Provide technical and policy support during grant program development and outreach to applicants.
- Provide analytical support to statewide initiatives within the Energy Division.
- Coordinate with Commerce Office of Tribal Relations and other state agencies to align tribal work with state relations.
- Develop and maintain best practices for intergovernmental tribal energy consultations.
- Serve as lead resource for staff on tribal energy and related policy engagement.
Skills
Education
Job description
At the Department of Commerce, we’re reimagining what’s possible in government. We’re builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we’re turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.
Our agency’s strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.
Let’s build what’s next, together.
The Energy Division partners with diverse energy stakeholders to create a clean, affordable and just energy future.
This position is dedicated to advancing state energy and climate policy by working directly with tribal communities and tribal governments across Washington. The primary focus is on fostering collaborative relationships, supporting the development and deployment of clean energy solutions, and ensuring that tribal perspectives and priorities are integral to policy analysis, design, and implementation.
As a statewide convener, this role brings together diverse stakeholders—including tribal leaders and elected officials, legislators, experts from state and local agencies, advocacy organizations, businesses, and program managers within Commerce.
The policy subject area centers on clean energy initiatives for tribal communities and tribal lands, emphasizing partnership, technical assistance, education, and capacity-building. The position functions across the division, supporting energy policy and programs that are developed in close collaboration with tribes, ensuring alignment with state climate goals and honoring tribal sovereignty and leadership.
- Develop legislative, policy and program initiatives within the position’s subject area to advance the energy, climate and equity objectives and requirements of Washington and the recommendations of the 2021 State Energy Strategy and biennial updates.
- Engage stakeholders and experts in tribal organizations, government, industry, advocacy organizations, and research institutions to identify policy options and barriers.
- Develop, recommend, and implement policy options that increase racial equity, improve economic justice, support economic development, and reduce pollution from greenhouse gases, consistent with the recommendations of the state energy strategy and the requirements of the HEAL Act.
- As requested, prepare testimony, reports, presentations, website materials, and other communications materials to advance understanding of tribal interests in state’s energy and climate policies and programs.
- Provide technical and policy expertise during the development and implementation of agency grant programs in the position’s focus area. Work with external stakeholders in program design and in outreach to potential applicants and evaluators.
- Provide analytical and policy support to other statewide initiatives within the Energy Division and the agency, as identified by senior managers.
- Coordinate regularly with the Commerce Office of Tribal Relations, the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and other state agencies to maintain consistency between the agency's tribal work and the state’s overall relationship with tribes under the Centennial Accord and the Millennium Agreement.
- Develop and maintain sets of recommendations, examples and best practices for intergovernmental agreements and consultation between tribes and utilities, local governments, and energy developers on clean energy policy, development and implementation.
- Serve as the lead and resource for other staff in the division on tribal energy and help assigned staff engage with tribal officials and citizens within their assigned territory, or within their area of policy expertise.
- Bachelor’s degree in economics, public/business administration, public policy, or a closely related field (Additional professional level experience in public policy, energy policy, or climate policy may substitute for education year for year)
- Minimum five years of experience in public policy, energy policy, or climate policy
- Strong written, verbal and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate energy and climate issues to non-technical audiences
- Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders
- Sensitivity to public attitudes and concerns
- High-level facilitative, collaborative and marketing skills
- Knowledge of regulatory and economic environment in Washington
- Demonstrated experience working within the tribal governments and political environments, including clear understanding of tribal consultation processes, the legislative process, influencing the continuation and maintenance of resources and policy development, and decision-making that impacts programs.
Accountability—Meets commitments, works independently, accepts accountability, handles change, sets personal standards, stays focused under pressure, and meets attendance/punctuality requirements.
Customer Service—Handles customer questions and complaints, communicates with customers, handles service problems politely and efficiently, always available for customers, follows procedure to solve customer problems, understands company products and services, maintains pleasant and professional image.
Integrity—Deals with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports company values, and conveys good news and bad.
Leadership—Lead through change and adversity, makes the tough call when needed, builds consensus when appropriate, motivates and encourages others.
Teamwork—Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers, and promotes a team atmosphere.
Interpersonal Skills—Has good listening skills, builds strong relationships, is flexible/open-minded, negotiates effectively, solicits performance feedback and handles constructive criticism.
People Development—Provides feedback and coaching, rewards hard work, risk taking, takes mentoring role, challenges and develops employees, accepts mistakes, provides visibility/opportunity.
Results Focus—Targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles, accepts accountability, sets team standards and responsibilities, provides leadership/motivation.
Communication—Communicates well both verbally and in writing, creates accurate and punctual reports, delivers presentations, shares information and ideas with others, has good listening skills.
Organizational Savvy—Operates within the organization’s formal and informal structures, builds allies and relationships across departments, uses allies to build consensus and create results, is appropriately diplomatic, understands others’ roles and perspectives, can sell projects and ideas across organization.
Computer Skills—Skilled in the use of computers, adapts to new technology, keeps abreast of changes, learns new programs quickly, and uses computers to improve productivity.
- Master’s degree or other related professional certifications.
- Demonstrated ability to take broad public policy conceptual ideas, provide appropriate guidance, leadership, and oversight, and bring such concepts into practical applications with minimal guidance and direction.
- Demonstrated strategic planning experience.
- Strong communications skills, including mastery with English grammar, and production of communication deliverables using software such as Word and PowerPoint.
- Experience managing energy projects or working in the energy sector. Solid knowledge of clean energy project development processes and technologies.
- Experience working for, or in partnership with, organizations based in environmental or climate justice and/or experience collaborating with historically marginalized communities, tribes and low-income populations.
- Experience facilitating diverse stakeholder groups, including state and federal governmental agencies, city and county governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, and citizens.
- A demonstrated ability to comply with ethics laws and standards as defined by federal or state law or policy
- Capable of making critical recommendations and decisions affecting statewide economic and community development policy.
- Strong analytic skills.
- Successful project management experience.
- Technical knowledge and aptitude of state legislative and budgeting processes.
- A complete and detailed online application.
- A cover letter (enter online).
- At least three professional references (enter online).
For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov- please reference the job number in your message.
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule. Occasional out-of-state travel will be required.
This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.
Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, 855-524-5627 (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at careershelp@des.wa.gov.
The Washington State Department of Commerce 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 or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Human.Resources@commerce.wa.gov. 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.
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.
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.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro‑rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357‑58‑175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357‑31‑165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
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