Hazardous Waste Compliance Team Lead; Environmental Specialist

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Hazardous Waste Compliance Team Lead (Environmental Specialist
5) within the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program (HWTR).

This position can be based at any of the following duty stations:

• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA
• Bellingham Field Office in Bellingham, WA

Note:

If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County. Salary range: $6703 - $9012 monthly.

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework up to 90% of your time, with 2 days per month in-office at your assigned duty station. Additional time in-office or at off-site locations may be required to attend in-person meetings or other events.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

• Apply by November 1, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may be reviewed only if additional qualified applicants are needed.

• Lead the Northwest Region’s dangerous waste compliance team by assigning inspections, setting inspection goals, monitoring progress, and ensuring high-quality, consistent implementation of dangerous waste regulations.
• Mentor and train compliance inspectors at multiple experience levels, providing technical guidance, coaching, and support on complex regulatory questions, enforcement pathways, and inspection strategy.
• Identify emerging issues, new sectors, or areas of regulatory ambiguity that require additional program attention, collaborating with senior program staff to develop solutions and improve clarity in regulatory interpretation.
• Represent HWTR during high-visibility internal and external discussions on compliance topics, including interpretation of regulations, enforcement approaches, and evolving sector-specific challenges.
• Lead development of internal tools, technical guidance, and training that strengthen consistency in compliance and enforcement activities across regions.
• Coordinate with inspectors, section leadership, and the Attorney General’s Office to develop and review enforcement cases, ensuring they are grounded in evidence, precedent, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee prioritization of inspections and complaint response using risk-based approaches that incorporate environmental justice considerations and regional objectives.
• Conduct senior-level compliance inspections for high-priority and complex dangerous waste generators, documenting findings and developing recommendations that support consistent enforcement decisions.
• Serve as a central resource for program-wide compliance questions, working with other regional leads and program management to maintain uniform dangerous waste regulatory interpretation.
• Communicate clearly with regulated facilities, internal teams, and partnering agencies to explain compliance expectations, regulatory obligations, corrective actions, and enforcement processes.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Ten (10) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Dangerous Waste Regulatory Application: Experience applying Washington’s Dangerous Waste Regulations (chapter 173-303 WAC), RCWs, and federal hazardous waste requirements to determine compliance obligations.
• Compliance Inspection Execution: Ability to plan and conduct detailed inspections of regulated facilities, assess operational practices, and identify violations based on technical and regulatory criteria.
• Enforcement Documentation Development: Experience preparing inspection reports, violation summaries, and supporting materials for administrative or civil enforcement actions.
• Policy and Guidance Interpretation: Ability to interpret internal policies, enforcement procedures, and regulatory guidance, and use them to support consistent compliance decisions.
• Technical Leadership: Experience providing direction to technical staff, mentoring, reviewing work products, and offering guidance on complex compliance questions.
• Professional Communication: Skill in presenting regulatory and technical information clearly in writing and verbally while maintaining professionalism in challenging or sensitive situations.

Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences,…