SWRO Response Supervisor; WMS Band 1

The Department of Ecology is hiring an SWROResponse Supervisor(WMS Band
1) within the Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Program.

• Southwest Region Office (SWRO) in Lacey, WA.

• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station.

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.

• In-office work averages about 2 days per week. This position also requires extended periods of field work and periodic after-hour/weekend emergency response duty shifts.

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

• Apply by November 22, 2026

• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

In this role, you will manage high-stakes operational, environmental, and public safety responsibilities that you must navigate under intense pressure and constant scrutiny. You will remain available 24/7 and make rapid decisions in hazardous, uncertain, and sometimes unfamiliar conditions. You balance immediate tactical needs with long-term strategic impacts, often weighing environmental tradeoffs and limited resources while protecting public health, Washington’s economy, and the agency’s credibility.

You also ensure responder safety in dangerous environments, coordinate across a complex network of response partners, and apply extensive regulatory requirements—all while issuing consistent and defensible enforcement actions.

In this position, you step into a dynamic, mission-driven leadership role at the intersection of emergency response, environmental protection, and public communication. You serve as the State On-Scene Coordinator for major spills, lead multidisciplinary teams, and collaborate closely with federal, state, tribal, local, and private partners. You influence statewide spill response policies, guide critical decisions in real time, and play a key role in maintaining public trust by communicating openly during high-visibility events.

Every day, you engage in strategic problem-solving, technical analysis, and meaningful work that protects Washington’s natural resources and economic vitality.

• Manage and lead the regional spill response team, ensuring responders are trained, equipped, evaluated, and capable of safely operating in hazardous environments.
• Plan, organize, and direct spill response operations for oil, hazardous substances, drug labs, and disaster events, maintaining 24/7 readiness.
• Serve as the State On-Scene Coordinator during major spill incidents, representing Washington’s interests and guiding Unified Command decision-making.
• Ensure resolution of spill reports and effective execution of emergency field responses, including coordinating rapid and aggressive actions to minimize environmental and economic impacts.
• Manage enforcement actions by ensuring staff follow policies, conduct investigations, issue penalties and corrective actions, and maintain defensible documentation.
• Monitor and manage the Response Unit budget, prioritize expenditures, and ensure compliance with fiscal policies while planning for variable and unpredictable response costs.
• Develop working partnerships with federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector response partners to ensure well-coordinated and efficient multi‑agency response operations.

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

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

Note:

Candidates must have documented 100, 200, 700, and 800 CSC (or similar) training. A strong…