Product Stewardship Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Solid Waste Management (SWM) program within the Department of Ecology is looking to fill a Product Stewardship Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) position. 

Location:

• Southwest Region Office in Lacey, WA. 
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

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.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by October 30, 2025
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

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.

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, batteries, and packaging and paper products. 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.

What you will do:

• Manage 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:

Ten years of experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the position, that includes one or more of the following:

• Knowledge of solid waste laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of hazardous waste laws and regulations.

• Knowledge of product stewardship, product take-back or extended producer responsibility policies, programs, and principles

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

• Read and analyze legislation, statutes, and regulations; understand governmental administrative structure at state and local level

• Experience interpreting laws and regulations.
• Effective oral 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

• Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action.
• Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions.

Education in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or a related academic discipline.

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

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

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of solid waste laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of hazardous waste laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of product stewardship, product take-back or extended producer responsibility policies, programs, and principles.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

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 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.

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 schedule, or duties, please contact Megan Warfield at megan.warfield@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

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

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 Incentives(Download PDF reader), 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.

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