Reducing Toxic Threats Unit Supervisor (WMS Band 1)

 Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at the Department of Ecology. We have a compassionate workplace invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, with leadership that embraces the values of people, Ecology is a great fit. 

The Reducing Toxic Threats Unit is leading cutting-edge work to make products safer for our families and environment. We are looking for a new unit supervisor at our Headquarters office in Lacey, WA. This position is within our Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program.

As a unit supervisor, your job is to empower and coach a dynamic team of up to ten professionals. These skilled staff are working to protect Washington's residents and environment by addressing the sources of toxic chemical pollution in products and promoting safer alternatives.

 There are growing public health concerns from the use of everyday consumer products that contain chemicals of concern. In fact, the largest source of chemical pollution is not coming from point sources like smokestacks or sewer pipes, but from the combined slow and steady release of chemicals from consumer products.

 If you lead people with empathy, transparency, good decision-making skills, and are excited to shape the future of Washington, please apply by February 25, 2020.

 As an agency, we invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability. 

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov. Check us out on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Duties

We address concerns from the use of everyday consumer products that contain chemicals of concern. One of the largest sources of chemical pollution is from the combined, slow and steady release of chemicals in consumer products.

Washington is a national leader in pioneering work to regulate these everyday sources of toxics, including for lead wheel weights, mercury-containing lights, and chemicals in children's products and consumer packaging. This team is at the front lines of this exciting work.

There's a new law (passed in 2019) that provides a better way for Ecology to reduce the impact and cost of dealing with toxics in products through a regulatory structure and systematic approach. This is an exciting opportunity for the Reducing Toxic Threats team, who embraced the challenge and launched a successful implementation program. We call this implementation effort Safer Products for Washington.

This team also tackles toxics issues through:

Are you passionate about reducing harm to human health and the environment? Do you want to be part of the team implementing what has been called the "nation's strongest law regulating toxics in products"? If you're excited for the opportunity to lead a team pioneering this work, please submit your application by February 25, 2020.

 This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be February 26, 2020. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before February 25, 2020. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

A Bachelor's degree in one of the following areas: environmental science, environmental management, green chemistry, green engineering, environmental planning, public administration, environmental law, environmental economics, or related field.

Five years of professional level experience in environmental science, environmental management, environmental regulation, toxics reduction, engineering, or related field.

Experience leading or facilitating multi-disciplinary teams, or supervising staff to address policy issues, regulations, projects, or implementation of new programs and laws. 

NOTE: Additional graduate level education in one of the fields listed above may substitute year for year experience, for up to two years.

Supplemental Information

 Application Instructions:

In order to be considered, applicants MUST attach the following documents as attachments to their application:

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume" may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Ken Zarker at: Ken.Zarker@ECY.WA.GOV. Please do not contact Ken to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

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 or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.