Product Stewardship Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Solid Waste Management Program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Product Stewardship Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) position. This position can be located in any of our offices listed below:

• Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
• Eastern Region Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.
• Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.
• Southwest Region Office in Lacey, WA.

Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Please Note: If the final location of this position is determined to be in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA. there will be an additional 5% pay increase due to its location in King County. In this instance the salary range will be $6,195 – $8,328 per month.

In this position, you will be working on the cutting edge of the fastest growing waste management policy, extended producer responsibility (EPR).  Jurisdictions around the world are using this policy to manage items like electronics, mattresses, carpet, and even packaging!  Washington has EPR laws on the books for electronics, pharmaceuticals, mercury-containing lights, paint, solar panels and batteries. Extended producer responsibility programs have the potential to dramatically increase the amount of a material or product that gets collected for recycling, benefitting people and the environment.

To bring these policies to action, you will work with industry representatives, local governments, and a variety of interested parties both in-state and nationally. You will conduct high-level, statewide policy development and analysis. You will support the development of legislation, regulations and policies. You will also ensure compliance with state laws and regulations and provide ongoing technical assistance to manufacturers, stewardship organizations, collection sites, processors, local governments, and other interested parties.

Agency Mission: Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Program Mission: The mission of the Solid Waste Management program is to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse, keep toxics out of the environment, and safely manage what remains.

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 90% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled; we will review applications on March 25, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before March 24, 2024. If your application isn’t received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date. 

Please Note: We will review all applications received before the date above. Additional reviews after this date typically only occur if we have a small applicant pool, or if a successful Hire was not made.

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 Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information 

About the Department of Ecology

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan. 
Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

Our commitment to DEIR
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. 

Duties

What makes this role unique?

In this role, you will work independently and under the general direction of the Product Stewardship Unit Supervisor to advance the policy of product stewardship by developing policy and implementing product stewardship laws. You will craft bill language, work on rule development, write policy and interpretative statements, and perform legislative review tasks such as bill analysis and fiscal note development. You will also be responsible for coordinating with other product stewardship staff to develop internal operating policies and provide primary oversight of statewide product stewardship programs to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations.

What you will do:

• Oversee implementation of product stewardship programs through collaboration with product stewardship organizations, producers, and local governments.
• Negotiate complex and sometimes contentious policy issues with internal and external partners, as well as local, state, and federal agencies. Conduct outreach with affected interested parties, local governments, state, and federal agencies, as well as trade organizations and associations.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance to product stewardship organizations, producers, associations, consultants, local governments, and other interested parties, regarding regulatory analysis or interpretation.
• Identify emerging product stewardship policy issues by tracking and analyzing product stewardship initiatives and policy developments in other states and countries.
• Lead or participate in discussions regarding development of new product stewardship programs or legislation as well as gather input and feedback for existing programs.
• Participate in meetings and on workgroups of regional and national product stewardship organizations, comment on regional and national policy proposals, and make recommendations.
• Conduct compliance visits at collection sites and processors, ensuring standards in statute, regulation, plans, policies and/or guidance are followed.
• Meet with interested parties virtually, or on-site around the state. Draft enforcement actions if necessary.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

A total of 10 years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in environmental analysis, environmental policy analysis, or environmental planning.
• Education: involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, environmental studies, public administration with an environmental policy emphasis, or other closely related field.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:

Possible Combinations: College credit hours or degree – as listed above: Years of required experience – as listed above

• Combination 1; No college credit hours or degree; 10 years of experience
• Combination 2; 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits; 9 years of experience
• Combination 3; 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree); 8 years of experience
• Combination 4; 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits; 7 years of experience
• Combination 5; A Bachelor’s Degree; 6 years of experience
• Combination 6; A Master’s Degree; 4 years of experience
• Combination 7; A Ph.D.; 2 years of experience

OR

One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4, at the Department of Ecology.

Additional Required Knowledge and Abilities:

• Read and analyze legislation, statutes, and regulations; understand governmental administrative structure at state and local level.
• Experience interpreting laws and regulations.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to communicate with federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, private businesses, and public organizations.
• Planning principles associated with program development; develop long range plans.
• Meeting and work group facilitation skills.
• Creation and implementation of work plans.
• Project and/or contract management.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

• Knowledge of solid or hazardous waste laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of product stewardship, product take-back, or extended producer responsibility policies, programs, and principles.
• Experience developing technical reports and outreach materials.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Supplemental Information

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 candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

• Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.
• If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology. 

Application Instructions:
 
It’s in the applicant’s best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• A list of three professional references.

Note: References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s formal authorization.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  
  
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc.
• Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees:
Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.
 
Application Attestation:
 
The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.
 
Other Information:

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Megan Warfield at: Megan.Warfield@ecy.wa.gov Please do not contact Megan to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?
 
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.
 
Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment. A career in public service 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.
 
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

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. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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.