Product Stewardship Unit Supervisor (WMS Band 1)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Product Stewardship Unit Supervisor (WMS Band 1) within the Solid Waste Management (SWM) 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.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by March 23, 2026
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

Duties

This is a new position in the Solid Waste Management Policy Section which will manage and help build a cohesive, collaborative Product Stewardship unit. Staff in this unit lead strategy and policy development, implement product stewardship laws, conduct bill analysis, and advocate for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Product Stewardship (PS) programs. In this role, you will help coordinate engagement on these topics with national, state, and local agencies, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, industry associations, and commercial and retail entities in accordance with our mission and direction prescribed in statutes. 

What you will do:

• Supervise and support professional staff implementing diverse product stewardship laws, writing rules, and developing policy.
• Administer and coordinate statewide product stewardship law implementation, ensuring compliance with state rules, fiscal policies, and reporting requirements.
• Lead the Product Stewardship unit to ensure engagement, communication, and publications meet program and agency requirements.
• Coordinate with other Solid Waste Management and agency programs to ensure cooperation and understanding of product stewardship tasks and responsibilities.
• Formulate and present recommendations for program initiatives, policies, and procedures to the Section Manager and Program Management Team.

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 progressively responsible experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in product stewardship programs or public sector project management, which must include five years of supervisory or team-lead experience.
  Experience must demonstrate the ability to perform the following tasks:
  • Interpret and apply state laws, administrative rules, and fiscal policies governing product stewardship programs.
  • Manage multiple projects, staff, and priorities in a dynamic environment while maintaining quality, compliance, and timeliness.
    
  • Provide effective leadership and supervision to professional staff, including performance management, coaching, and workload planning.
    
  • Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences including state and local governments, nonprofits, and the public.
    
  • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external partners, fostering trust, inclusivity, and accountability.
    
  • Understand principles of project development, planning, and implementation, including identifying staffing levels and costs to implement new projects.
    
  • Use data and performance measures to guide decision-making and evaluate program effectiveness.
    
  • Understand and apply Ecology’s Core, Leadership, and DEIR Competencies, including service focus, adaptability, communication, integrity, and strategic thinking.
• Education involving a major study in public administration, environmental science, communications, business administration, or 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 or above.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to travel frequently to meetings, collection or processing sites, or events throughout the state, occasionally requiring overnight stays

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience supervising professional staff in a public agency, local government, or nonprofit organization.
• Experience managing or administering statewide programs that impact multiple partners, including policy interpretation and fiscal oversight.
• Experience developing or overseeing public communication and outreach strategies.
• Strong understanding of solid waste, recycling, or materials management programs, including relevant state statutes and plans (e.g., RCW 70A.205, State Solid Waste Plan).

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Supplemental Information

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 Chery Sullivan at Chery.Sullivan@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 Solid Waste Management Program

The mission of the Solid Waste Management Program is to reduce wastes through prevention and reuse, keep toxics out of the environment, and safely manage what remains.

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 Incentives, 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.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.

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