[FILLED] Building an Equitable, Inclusive, Resilient Clean Energy Economy
Host: Washington State Dept. of Commerce
Region: Washington
Openings: 1
Project Focus: Climate Adaptation, Climate Mitigation, Disaster Response / Emergency Management, Energy Efficiency, Public Health, Renewable Energy, Transportation / Mobility, Urban Planning
Skills Needed: Project Management, Research, Data Analysis, Data Collection, Critical Thinking, Self-Motivated
Service Needs & Plans
Washington has experienced a proliferation of equity and environmental justice laws and regulations in the last four years. Implementation is fragmented across many state agencies and local jurisdictions. Meanwhile, the federal government, national labs, and universities continue to develop equity and environmental justice resources and best practices for public policy. Identifying and incorporating lessons learned and best practices into the implementation of Washington’s equity and environmental justice statutes is crucial to ensuring a more equitable, inclusive, and resilient clean energy economy.
The Washington State Energy Policy at the Dept. of Commerce is seeking additional capacity to support the implementation of the equity and environmental justice provisions of its climate and clean energy laws through the development of resources to inform staff about lessons learned and best practices for implementing Washington’s 100% clean electricity law, the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA).
Project DescriptionThe overarching goal of this project is to develop metrics, indicators, and other resources to inform the short- and long-term implementation of equity and environmental justice programs, rules, and statutes, particularly for CETA.
The fellow will develop policy memos, metrics, indicators and other resources to help inform staff about implementing equity and environmental justice programs, statutes, and rules across local, state, and national governments. These resources will be used to inform the short- and long-term implementation of Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA).
Project outcomes will include:
+ An inventory of existing equity and environmental justice resources at Commerce and across local, state, and national governments
+ The development of equity and environmental justice metrics and indicators
+ An inventory and evaluation of public participation, community engagement and outreach strategies and resources
+ Summaries of the environmental justice and equity provisions in Washington climate and environmental justice laws and their outcomes
+ An assessment of the overlap between equity and environmental justice reporting requirements and resources across Washington’s climate and energy laws
We are looking for someone with keen analytical abilities for public policy problems, and recognizes the benefits and drawbacks of qualitative and quantitative data. We are looking for someone who recognizes the realities of working in government, appreciates the complexities of that context, and is eager to critically analyze equity and environmental justice strategies.
Organization & Community HighlightsWe are creative, collaborative, and trusted. We cultivate a work environment in which we continuously learn, and we own our work.
Improving the health conditions for people of color, indigenous individuals and communities, and low-income people who continue to be disproportionately harmed by environmental and health hazards is essential to advancing our mission to strengthen communities.
Our organization offers a great professional development experience as it is filled with highly trained policy staff working on important clean energy, climate, environmental justice, and equity issues. Staff are dedicated to helping our fellows succeed at Commerce and their future goals.
The Energy Office is an interesting place to work because it is a national leader in climate and clean energy policy, and at the forefront of policy on equity and environmental justice issues. Washington is home to wonderful communities, and fellows may join our team from any location in the state and fully participate in agency events and activities.
Our Mission
The mission of the Washington State Department of Commerce is to strengthen communities and grow the economy.
Our Vision
With a broad scope of over 150 programs and partnerships, Commerce has a unique opportunity to create transformative change. Improving the health conditions for people of color, indigenous individuals and communities, and low-income people who continue to be disproportionately harmed by environmental and health hazards is essential to our vision of a more equitable, inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy.
Our key customers include businesses, local governments, community-based organizations and tribes. We also play the crucial role of convening numerous local, state, regional and federal partners and stakeholders, public and private. Together we work to support the Governor’s priorities and achieve shared goals and objectives for the citizens of Washington.
Remote or On-Site PlacementHybrid