Salary : $69,348.00 - $93,288.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Agency Internal - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Solid Waste Management
Opening Date: 09/22/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
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.
Location:

• Headquarters Office in
• 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, 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
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.

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
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
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
• 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
• 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