Product Stewardship and Plastics Specialist; Environmental Specialist

Overview

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Product Stewardship and Plastics Specialist (Environmental Specialist
5) within the Solid Waste Management (SWM) program.

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

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework up to 90 percent of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

• Apply by January 28, 2026
• 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.

In this role, you will conduct high-level, statewide product stewardship and plastics policy development and analysis, working with a variety of local, state, and national interests. You will represent Ecology as the statewide Plastics Lead through participation in state and national organizations with the potential for additional training in plastics and product stewardship subject matter and conference attendance. Reviewing policy, conducting bill analysis, developing fiscal notes, working with the regulated community, collaborating with the post-consumer recycled content and product stewardship team, and rule development are all part of the things you will get to do.

• Participate in legislative activities including reviewing draft legislation and providing comment on bill language, conducting bill analyses, assist in fiscal note development, prepare testimony, develop talking points, write documents and reports, prepare, and give presentations at legislative work sessions.
• Negotiate complex and sometimes contentious policy issues with internal and external interested parties, 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.
• Lead implementation of postconsumer recycled content law, chapter 70A.245 RCW, including but not limited to conducting workload analysis, and addressing non-compliance through issuing enforcement and negotiating corrective action plans.
• Develop and implement necessary contracts for external assistance with development of technologies, processes, and interested party involvement in how best to manage plastic material.
• Provide policy recommendations to Ecology, other agencies, local governments, and interested legislators regarding proposals to reduce, recycle or otherwise manage plastic packaging or products.
• Respond to requests for presentations and interviews, represent the agency, and develop and present product stewardship issues and policies for local, state, and national entities and the media.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Ten (10) years of experience and/or education as described below

Experience: performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the position, that includes three or more of the following:

• Product stewardship, solid waste management, recycling systems, and post-consumer recycled content (PCRC) requirements.
• State and federal environmental laws, rule making processes, and legislative procedures.
• Plastics management issues, recycling markets, and emerging technologies.
• Principles of program administration, compliance oversight, and interested party engagement.

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

• Developing and analyzing policy, legislation, rules, and technical guidance.
• Building and facilitating effective relationships, including negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Communicating complex information clearly through writing, presentations, outreach, and web content.
• Managing projects, priorities, and contracts effectively.
• Synthesizing technical, legislative, and interested party input into workable policy solutions.
• Using critical / analytical…