Product Stewardship Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)

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

Duties: In this Product Stewardship Specialist role, you 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.

What you will do: 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.

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

Required Qualifications: 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 requirements. Regulatory Interpretation – Ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations to provide accurate guidance and support compliance. Rulemaking and Enforcement – Ability to draft rule language and enforcement documents to establish clear requirements and support consistent oversight. Education in a related field. Examples of how to qualify:9 years of experience.8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree).6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.5 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree.3 years of experience AND a Master's degree.2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Desired Qualifications: Knowledge of solid waste laws and regulations. Knowledge of hazardous waste laws and regulations. Knowledge of product stewardship, product take-back or extended producer responsibility policies, programs, and principles. Experience developing technical reports and outreach materials. If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

Benefits: More than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.