Product Stewardship Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)

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 Product Stewardship Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Solid Waste Management program.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. 

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued. 

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position 

• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete. 

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov 

• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Tamara Dumitrescu at Tamara.dumitrescu@ecy.wa.gov 

• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver,  Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP),  Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentive, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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