Salary: $99,999.96 – $133,044.00 Annually
Location: Thurston County – Lacey, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Job Number: 2023-EXEC4084-05377
Closing: Continuous

The Department of Ecology is currently looking to fill the Solid Waste Management Program Manager (Exempt Management Service Band 3) position. This position reports to Ecology’s Deputy Director and is located at our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

We are seeking an experienced leader, strategic thinker, and forward looking, creative problem solver to manage and lead our Solid Waste Program. This position is responsible for regulatory and non-regulatory elements of the solid waste management system including oversight of solid waste facility permitting, remedial action at landfills, local government planning for solid waste management, and providing technical assistance to local governments in establishing and optimizing waste reduction and recycling programs. This position represents the Director of Ecology on a wide variety of solid waste management issues, working hard to find unique solutions to reduce, reuse, and recycle for a healthy environment in harmony with a strong economy for everyone.

This is an exciting and challenging position for a proven leader. It’s an opportunity to become part of a dynamic executive leadership team that engages federal, state, local, Tribal, elected officials and environmental group interests to create innovative partnerships. It is through these partnerships that we pursue our commitment to meeting current solid waste management, pursue solutions for a clean future for people and the natural environment.

Our Mission at the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. 

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

Modern Work Environment:  Ecology employees have some opportunity to telework in combination with working in the office and/or in the field based on position and business need. This position is expected to work in the office/field at least 60% of the time and may telework up to 40% of the time. It is a requirement that while employed by the State of Washington, employees’ primary residence must be within the State of Washington.  

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, we will review applications on May 15, 2023. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before May 14, 2023. If your application isn’t received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date.  

Duties
We’re looking for an experienced leader to manage our Solid Waste Management (SWM) program. This position will focus on groundbreaking work in the areas of food waste reduction, plastics reduction, producer responsibility, composting, etc. Applicants who have particular passion for those aspects of the work are desired. In this role, you will serve as a principal advisor, decision-maker and spokesperson in carrying out the responsibilities of the program. You will be responsible for the administration and management of the state of Washington’s Solid Waste Program under state and delegated federal law to assure protection of public health and the environment and preservation of the state’s natural and economic resources. This position is responsible for regulatory and non-regulatory elements of the solid waste management system including oversight of:

What you will be doing:

• Solid waste facility permitting.
• Remedial action at landfills. 
• Local government planning for solid waste management.
• Development of Moderate Risk Waste technical assistance to local governments in establishing and optimizing waste reduction and recycling programs.
• Developing and delivering information and education programs related to appropriate solid waste management.
• Administration of the Ecology Youth Corps (EYC) program to employ youth and young adults in the removal of litter from state roads and other areas.

In this role, you will manage extensive grant funds including solid waste grants to local Public Works and Health Departments for proper solid waste management and enforcement; Public Participation Grants (PPG) to aid in local citizen understanding of cleanups and waste education; and litter grants and contracts to state and local government for leveraging beneficial efforts to prevent and pick up litter.

You will also manage the regulatory activities of the Industrial Section engaged in air, water, and waste issues at the state’s largest point sources for pollution (oil refineries, pulp and paper mills, and aluminum smelters). You will facilitate a proper single-point-of-contact status with these facilities, and work to provide predictable regulation in cooperation with Ecology’s Air Quality, Water Quality, and Hazardous Waste Programs. In addition, you will work with EPA to align state and federal interests for the operation and regulation of these facilities.

 A Key Member of Ecology’s Executive Management Team
It is critical that this important position maintains the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct to support the state’s commitment to efficient, effective, and accountable government.
 
This is a highly visible role with other federal and state agencies involved in environmental management with impacts on the development of local government decisions and infrastructure for solid waste and recycling activities and facilities. This includes influencing litter prevention and cleanup at all government levels.

As a key member of Ecology’s Executive Leadership Team, you will:

• Represent the Director with Federal, regional, state, local, Tribal and elected officials, the general public, environmental groups, environmental justice advocacy groups, and the business community. 
• Develop credibility as a dependable and accurate problem solver and source of information for local, state, and Tribal leaders. 
• Work with other programs and agencies, Tribal governments, local governments, and various organizations to formulate and implement various policies, procedures, guidelines and rules related to Washington’s solid waste management. 
• Make recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team on how to implement programs and develop policies including agency direction for work procedures to ensure responsive service delivery and consistency. 
• Foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and respectful workplace. 

Qualifications
Required Qualifications: A total of eleven years of experience and/or education.
Experience: in professional level management, which includes the following:

• Five (5) years of professional level supervisory responsibility, including experience-managing supervisors.
  1. Providing direction to mid-level managers and supervisors in scientific, engineering and/or public health fields, which included coaching, training, recruitment, evaluation, and performance.
  2. Providing oversight of a program’s diverse functions combining and directing all aspects to meet overall program objectives.
• A minimum of five (5) years of budget management experience.
• A minimum of three (3) years of strategic planning experience (annual or biennial based business plan) including the ability to conceptualize and articulate the future direction of a program.

Please note: Experience in each of the areas may have been gained concurrently. 
Education: With a major study in environmental, physical or natural science, environmental studies, engineering, public administration, planning public policy, political science, law, or other related qualifying discipline.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:  

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
The ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below. 

• Experience as a second-level supervisor.
• Experience working with or applying policy decisions from the Washington Health Disparities Map.
• Experience leading or managing in a large agency or organization.
• Working in or collaborating with state and local government. 

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Other Information
If you have specific questions about the position, please email Heather Bartlett at: Heather.Bartlett@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Heather to inquire about the status of your application. To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Application Instructions
It’s in the applicant’s best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• A list of three professional references.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4008575/solid-waste-management-program-manager-ems-band-3