Product Stewardship Specialist; Environmental Specialist

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.

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Product Stewardship Specialist
(Environmental Specialist
4) within the Solid Waste Management 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.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings, other activities and occasional field work.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

• Apply by September 30, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

In this Product Stewardship Specialist role, will get to work with a dynamic team on implementing the Recycling Reform Act, an innovative product stewardship law in Washington State. This position supports the Department of Ecology’s Solid Waste Management Program’s mission to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse, keeping toxics out of the environment, and safely manage what remains. In this role, you will have the opportunity to conduct statewide policy development and analysis, working with a variety of interested parties and organizations both in state and nationally.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to support and implement this and other statewide product stewardship programs to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations, having the opportunity to support a wide range of regulated and affected parties from manufacturers to local governments, stewardship organizations and collections sites, and more.

• Conduct implementation activities of product stewardship programs in Washington through collaboration with product stewardship organizations, produces, and local governments.
• Review and recommend approvals for product stewardship plans and annual reports to ensure statutory and regulatory requirements are met.
• Create and manage databases and registration systems and work with the regulated communities to properly register with our programs.
• Help regulated entities in Washington and outside of Washington that do business here.
• Work with the team to create policy and regulations to support the evolution of product stewardship programs in Washington.
• Review and approve plans and annual reports to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate, participate in, and convene meetings to discuss program status such as progress towards achieving program targets, meeting goals, coordinating with local governments, and conducting outreach and educational activities.

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

Nine years
of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

• Professional Communication – Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully to ensure understanding and support effective decisions.
• Problem Solving – Ability to assess issues, interpret information, and develop practical solutions to resolve challenges effectively.
• Interest Group Engagement – Ability to work with partners, regulated entities, and colleagues to support collaboration and improve program outcomes.
• Compliance Assessment – Ability to conduct site visits and evaluate compliance to ensure regulated entities meet legal and program…