Statewide Program Rule and Policy Lead; Environmental Planner

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 Statewide Program Rule and Policy Lead (Environmental Planner 5)within the Water Resources 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 two days per month are required in the office.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

In this role, you will lead statewide rule and policy development that shapes the future of water resources across Washington. You will guide complex rule making efforts from planning through adoption, ensuring they are transparent, well-coordinated, and grounded in sound legal and policy analysis. You will help set direction for the Water Resources Program by developing clear rule making strategies, supporting consistent decisions across regions, and providing trusted guidance to staff and leadership.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the center of big, meaningful issues—helping Washington meet present and future water needs while advancing environmental justice and strengthening relationships with Tribes, communities, and partners across government. You will collaborate with dedicated teams of scientists, planners, economists, attorneys, and managers, and your work will directly influence how water is managed for generations to come.

• Lead statewide rule development efforts, including new and amended rules, and serve as the primary point of contact for Water Resources Program rule making.
• Plan, coordinate, and guide the work of multi-disciplinary teams across regions, programs, and agencies—including close collaboration with agency leaders, Tribal representatives, technical experts, and community partners.
• Prepare rule packages, draft rule language, and ensure compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act, Regulatory Fairness Act, and other statutory requirements.
• Design and manage public engagement activities, including public comment periods and hearings, and develop accessible materials that support meaningful participation, especially for underserved populations.
• Provide mentoring, training, and guidance to rule making leads and staff, helping build skill, consistency, and confidence across the program.
• Conduct research and analyze legal, technical, and policy issues to develop recommendations, briefing materials, and decision-support documents for leadership.
• Support statewide policy development by researching emerging issues, drafting guidance and procedural documents, and communicating policy updates to staff and management.
• Track rule making activities, timelines, and status updates, and coordinate with internal teams to ensure alignment, effective communication, and timely progress.

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

• Eleven years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

  • Communication – Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully to explain complex information and support shared understanding among staff, leadership, Tribes, and other partners.

  • Collaboration & Relationship Building – Ability to work effectively with internal teams and external partners to build trust, coordinate efforts, and support successful rule and policy outcomes.

  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving – Ability to assess…