Toxics Cleanup Program Strategic Planner (Environmental Planner 5)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Program Strategic Planner (Environmental Planner 5) within the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP).

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 at least one day per week is required in the office, with additional days occasionally needed for in-person meetings and activities. 
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by May 19, 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

The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is looking for a Program Strategic Planner to direct high-level, program-wide planning efforts, help align our work with agency priorities, and champion performance improvements. In this role, you will collaborate closely with program leadership, other planners, and partners across Ecology to translate broad strategic goals into clear, actionable plans. You will also play a central role in supporting appropriate and effective interactions with Tribal governments, serving as the program’s primary contact for Tribal engagement coordination and supporting staff in their work with Tribal governments. Your work will ensure that TCP's planning efforts reflect strong relationships, sound data, and a forward-looking vision.

What you will do:

• Lead the development and updates of TCP’s two- and five-year Strategic Plans, including identifying priorities, shaping strategies, and creating clear measures of success.
• Evaluate performance data, including performance measures, regulated customer survey results, and employee engagement feedback, to help improve program effectiveness.
• Represent the program on agency-wide strategic planning and performance teams, ensuring program perspectives are included and program staff are informed of agency expectations.
• Work closely with the Program Manager, and program leadership teams to develop program priorities, recommend policy or process changes, and support implementation of strategic initiatives.
• Partner with the program’s Operations Planner to support continuous improvement efforts, leadership development, and culture-building across the program.
• Serve as the program’s main contact for Tribal engagement efforts, helping staff follow appropriate protocols and supporting strong, respectful, government-to-government relationships.
• Guide and support the program’s section planners by providing guidance, promoting consistent planning practices, and helping identify tools or processes that improve program operations.
• Facilitate leadership team meetings, planning discussions, and small-group working sessions, ensuring productive conversation, clear decisions, and follow-through.
• Support program leadership with special projects, briefings, meeting materials, communication products, and other assignments as needed.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Eleven years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, cultural resources, project management and/or program development, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related experience.
• Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
  • Strategic Planning & Systems Thinking – Ability to analyze complex environmental and organizational systems to develop strategic plans, set long-term priorities, and guide program direction.
  • Intergovernmental & Tribal Coordination – Ability to build and maintain effective, respectful working relationships with Tribal governments and governmental partners to ensure coordinated, culturally appropriate, and legally compliant program implementation.
  • Program & Performance Management – Ability to design and oversee program plans, performance measures, and reporting systems to evaluate effectiveness, track progress, and align activities with agency and program goals.
  • Policy Analysis & Risk Evaluation – Ability to interpret environmental policies, regulations, legislation, and program risks to identify gaps, recommend solutions, and support high-level decision-making.
  • Leadership & Facilitation – Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, facilitate planning processes, and guide staff and leadership groups to achieve consensus, resolve issues, and drive collaborative action.
  • Technical Planning Expertise – Experience with developing complex environmental or natural resource plans, project frameworks, and planning tools to support effective program implementation and meet strategic objectives.
• Education involving a major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 11 years of experience.
• 10 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 9 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 8 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 4 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
• 2 years of experience as an Environmental Planner 4, at the Department of Ecology.

Desired Qualifications:

• Broad Knowledge of Environmental and Resource Planning Frameworks – Knowledge of planning principles and techniques; environmental laws, policies, and programs; governmental administrative structure at local and state levels; environmental, social and other problems affecting development of local and state environmental resource programs; methods and objectives of urban and natural resources planning.
• Advanced Program and Portfolio Management Experience – Experience planning, coordinating, and monitoring multiple complex initiatives or portfolios to ensure alignment across program, budget, and agency strategic priorities.
• Leading or Supporting Organizational Change Initiatives – Demonstrated ability to guide teams through changes in policy, process, or structure; support leadership development; and contribute to culture-building and staff engagement efforts.
• Facilitation of Cross-Program Leadership Teams – Experience planning and facilitating leadership-level meetings, coordinating and leading small groups, and creating a cooperative, productive environment to resolve problems or develop and implement plans.
• Program Implementation and Evaluation Expertise – Experience turning strategic objectives into actionable workplans; developing tools, templates, or processes to support implementation; and evaluating program progress to inform improvements.

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.

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.

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 Amanda Seider at Amanda.Seider@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 Toxics Cleanup Program
The Toxics Cleanup Program’s (TCP) mission is to protect Washington’s human health and environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution, supporting sustainable communities, and promoting natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. 

This position supports the program’s mission by serving as the senior program planning consultant to the Program Manager. It is responsible for developing, maintaining, and updating the program’s strategic plan, ensuring it remains aligned with emerging issues and that progress is closely tracked in coordination with program management and subject matter experts. Additionally, the Program Strategic Planner may provide direct, high-level support to the Program Manager in the development, analysis, evaluation, and monitoring of program strategic initiatives.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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