Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Program Manager (Exempt Management Service Band 4) within the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP).

Location:

• Headquarters 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 three days per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by April 06, 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 April 06, 2025, may not be considered.

Duties

We are looking for a transformational leader with a passion toward cleaning up legacy pollution, restoring, and enhancing the environment for all communities across the state, especially for communities that have borne a disproportionate amount of environmental pollution. As the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) Manager, you will lead a team of experts that have a passion for cleaning up contaminated sites, restoring the environment, and making our built environment healthier for all who live and work in Washington.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with diverse partners, including Tribal governments and industry leaders to achieve environmental clean ups through scientific, financial, and regulatory assistance. You will also lead and support a team of approximately 250 full-time employees (FTEs). The position has 11 direct reports, which includes seven second-level managers, located in four regional offices and at our Headquarters Building in Lacey.

Responsibilities include:

• Plan, lead, organize, and prioritize the work performed by the Toxics Cleanup Program. Assure appropriate and optimum use of the organization’s resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities. Support effective communications throughout the organization. Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the state’s goals for a diverse workforce.
• Establish the direction of the Toxics Cleanup Program as authorized by state and federal statutes and direct staff to implement accordingly.
• Represent the agency on complex negotiations with diverse interests to determine the cost-effective and otherwise appropriate approaches to meeting the program's objectives, resolutions of disputes, project-specific concerns, and policy issues affecting toxics cleanup and Underground Storage Tank (UST) program implementation.
• Represent the agency before the legislature on toxics cleanup and UST issues.
• Ensure staff implement UST regulations, including provisions for financial responsibility at the approximately 9,000 regulated tanks in Washington.
• Serve as the determiner for sites that could score high enough to be considered federal Superfund sites. The state maintains the lead role wherever feasible.
• Establish program/section priorities through an inclusive process involving affected staff throughout the state.
• Develop biennial strategic plan and budget, including significant participation in development of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) specific appropriations request.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for an experienced leader who is ready to team with a large group of dedicated professionals. You will need to have the ability to:

• Problem solve and adjust strategies to capture emerging opportunities or unexpected challenges.
• Communicate effectively with diverse entities including local governments, community-based organizations, community residents, legislators, federal and Tribal partners, businesses and the regulated community.
• Have a clear understanding of larger state and federal clean up policies which impact the work and direction of the Toxics Cleanup Program, as well as an ability to translate those larger imperatives into appropriate actions.
• See and understand the opportunities and challenges of how the work impacts people and what is needed to ensure durable outcomes to restore and protect the environment.

A Key Member of Ecology's Executive Leadership Team
 
It is critical that this important position maintains the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct to support the state's commitment to efficient, effective, and accountable government.
 
This is a highly visible role for the cleanup and restoration of the State’s land and water resources that have been impacted by contamination. This position represents Ecology’s cleanup interests to Tribes, advocacy groups and residents from communities with environmental justice concerns, local government, the Legislature, business, industry and agriculture interests. It requires constant use of advanced management principles to address various and often-conflicting views of these groups in carrying out national and statewide toxics cleanup requirements. The position must be able to conceptualize, initiate, develop and implement strategic components of the state’s cleanup and underground storage tank goals under federal and state law. This position requires the use of effective communication skills to carry out the responsibilities inherent in the position.

As a key member of our Department's Executive Leadership Team, the successful candidate will:

• Represent the Director with federal, state, local, Tribal and elected officials, the general public, environmental groups, environmental justice advocacy groups and the business community.
• Develop credibility as a problem solver and a source of land use and water quality information for decision-makers and the public.
• Make recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team on how to implement programs and develop policies including agency direction for work procedures to ensure responsive service delivery and consistency.
• Foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive and respectful workplace.

Why join the team?
 
This is an opportunity to make an impact! You will have the opportunity to help solve complex environmental issues, clean-up contaminated sites, restore communities for more healthy living, work collaboratively with diverse partners, and build an extensive statewide network to make durable and meaningful changes across our state. 

This position is an Exempt Management Service (EMS) Band IV position. The minimum and maximum salary for EMS Band IV positions is $95,832 - $165,120.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Demonstrated expertise in environmental, physical or natural science, environmental studies, engineering, public administration, planning public policy, political science, law, or other related qualifying discipline. This expertise can be demonstrated through professional degrees and/or professional and lived experience.

Demonstrated professional level management experience which includes:

• Experience engaging with Tribal governments on natural resource management issues.
• Strategic planning experience, including development of annual and biannual plans with demonstrated ability to conceptualize and articulate future direction.
• Experience with policy development or program implementation related to natural resources.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with high-level, influential, elected, and appointed officials with a proven track record of consensus building, collaboration and negotiations that reflect a strong understanding of legislative processes and inter-government relations.
• A successful track record working with state agencies, city, county, and federal governments, and Tribal and public entities.
• Community outreach.
• Budget management.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:

• Desired Education: in public administration, business administration, environmental management, natural sciences, natural resources, environmental sciences, physical sciences, engineering, planning, or other related field.
• Desired Experience: 
  • Experience using advanced management, communication, negotiation and consensus building skills with high-level, influential, elected and appointed officials.
  • Providing leadership to a large staff of over 100 employees.
  • Initiates, develops, and implements strategic components of the state’s water management goals under state and federal law. Decisions from this position are precedent setting and have significant, long lasting, statewide impact.
  • Experience managing diverse fund sources.
  • Member of a senior or executive leadership team.
  • Environmental, natural resource, public health, or similar background.
  • Experience as a second-level supervisor.
  • Experience working with or applying policy decisions from the Washington Health Disparities Map.

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 location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Heather Bartlett at Heather.Bartlett@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

About the Toxics Cleanup Program

The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is to protect Washington’s human health and the environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution and supporting sustainable communities and natural resources for the benefit of future and current generations. The Toxics Cleanup Program Manager focuses on strategic long-term impacts and is responsible for the administration and management of a statewide program to clean up contaminated sites, restore economic and/or habitat value at those sites and regulate underground storage tanks in Washington.

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.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.