Tribal Clean Energy Specialist (EMS2)

Washington State Health Care Authority

Washington

Hybrid

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

Retirement/def. compensation plans

11 paid holidays

Job summary

Washington State Department of Commerce is seeking a Tribal Clean Energy Specialist to advance state energy and climate policy in collaboration with tribal communities across Washington. The role focuses on fostering relationships, supporting clean energy deployment, and ensuring tribal perspectives guide policy design and implementation.

The statewide convener will coordinate with tribal leaders, elected officials, and agencies to advance equity and decarbonization goals.

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
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
Experience working with tribal governments and tribal consultation processes

Responsibilities

Develop legislative, policy and program initiatives to advance energy, climate and equity objectives in Washington
Engage stakeholders from tribal organizations, government, industry and research institutions to identify policy options
Develop and implement policy options to increase racial equity, economic justice and reduce greenhouse gas pollution
Prepare testimony, reports, presentations and communications on tribal interests in energy and climate policies
Provide technical and policy support during grant program development and implementation
Provide analytical and policy support to statewide initiatives within the Energy Division
Coordinate with the Commerce Office of Tribal Relations and other agencies to align tribal work with state relations
Develop recommendations and best practices for intergovernmental tribal-utility and tribal-government agreements
Lead staff on tribal energy initiatives and mentorship of junior staff

Skills

Public policy

Energy policy

Stakeholder engagement

Tribal relations

Communication

Collaboration

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in economics/public policy/public administration

Job description

Tribal Clean Energy Specialist (EMS2) 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.

Position Objective

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.

Responsibilities of this position include

1. 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.
2. Engage stakeholders and experts in tribal organizations, government, industry, advocacy organizations, and research institutions to identify policy options and barriers.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Provide analytical and policy support to other statewide initiatives within the Energy Division and the agency, as identified by senior managers.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.

Required Education and Experience

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.

Required Position Competencies

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.

Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies

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.

To be considered for this position the following are needed

A complete and detailed online application.
A cover letter (enter online).
At least three professional references(enter online).

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity

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.

Work from Anywhere in Washington State

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.

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: comrecruitment@commerce.wa.gov - please reference the job number in your message.

Benefits Package

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: