Rulemaking Lead; Environmental Planner ; Internal

Rule making Lead (Environmental Planner
3) (Internal Only)

The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026. This recruitment is open only to current Department of Ecology employees, including those on temporary or project assignments, and Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members. Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen.

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Rule making Lead (Environmental Planner
3) within the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program (HWTR).

Note:

This non-permanent appointment is expected to last up to 12 months from the appointment date. The duration may change depending on business needs, including whether the previous incumbent chooses to exercise return rights.

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 eight hours per pay period is required in the office. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:
Apply by June 30, 2026. Applications submitted after the date above may be reviewed only if additional qualified applicants are needed.

Are you interested in helping reduce toxic chemicals and safely manage dangerous waste in Washington state? Do you enjoy managing complex projects, engaging diverse interested parties with conflicting interests, and writing and analyzing laws and rules? As a rule making lead, you will learn the rule making process, enhance your project management skills, work with interested parties, and join a collaborative and creative team.

This Rule making Lead position offers a unique opportunity to shape statewide toxics reduction and dangerous waste management regulations within Ecology's Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program. In this role, you will serve as an independent rule making project manager responsible for developing, revising, and implementing complex environmental rules that protect Washington's residents and environment from toxic chemicals and dangerous waste. You will guide multi-disciplinary teams through the rule making lifecycle, including integrating equity and environmental justice considerations and ensuring compliance with agency policies and federal and state laws and rules.

This includes tracking timelines and tasks, clarifying priorities, anticipating obstacles, identifying alternatives, and managing change over a long period.

You will lead the recurring revision cycle for the Safer Products Restrictions and Reporting rule (Chapter 173-337 WAC), advancing statewide efforts to reduce toxic threats in consumer products. Your work will include assessing scientific and technical information, consulting with internal and external partners, coordinating with the Safer Products for Washington team, and managing extensive public engagement activities. As a member of the Toxics Awareness and Action (TA&A) section, you will contribute to agency-wide policy development, regulatory interpretation, and strategic initiatives that strengthen environmental and public health protections while supporting transparency, accessibility, and equitable outcomes.

What you will do:

• Lead rule making projects for HWTR by managing timelines, rule packets, filings, analyses, engagement plans, and all documentation associated with developing and adopting environmental regulations.
• Serve as the rule making lead for the Safer Products Restrictions and Reporting rule, including researching toxics in consumer products, monitoring regulatory developments, and supporting the program's technical and policy work.
• Coordinate and lead multi-disciplinary teams—such as policy experts, chemists, toxicologists, engineers, economists, environmental justice practitioners, communications specialists, and attorneys—to ensure rules are scientifically sound, equitable, and legally defensible.
• Develop and implement communication and community engagement strategies that follow accessibility requirements, equity standards, and agency frameworks for outreach, public involvement, and Tribal…