Program Manager for the Toxics Cleanup Program

Per Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.2 (Download PDF reader), Washington State employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination as part of the hiring process, prior to their start date. Requests for medical and religious exemptions will be considered. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.  

The Department of Ecology is looking to fill the Toxics Cleanup Program Manager (Exempt Management Service Band 3) position. This position reports to Ecology’s Deputy Director and is located in our Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA. 

We are looking for a transformational leader with a passion toward cleaning up legacy pollution, restoring, and enhancing the environment for all communities across the state, especially for communities with environmental justice concerns that have borne a disproportionate amount of environmental pollution. As the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) Program Manager, you will lead a team of experts that have a passion for cleaning up contaminated sites, restoring the environment, and making our built environment healthier for all who live and work in Washington.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with diverse stakeholders including tribal governments and industry leaders to achieve environmental clean ups through scientific, financial, and regulatory assistance.

Our Mission at the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations. This mission is achieved by the pursuit of three goals: (1) prevent pollution (2) clean up pollution and (3) support sustainable communities and natural resources.

Our Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) supports the Agency's mission through pursuit of all three goals. The TCP Program Manager is one of ten principal environmental management positions within the Department of Ecology. This position is responsible for the strategic vision, administration and management of a statewide program to clean up contaminated sites, restore economic and/or habitat value at those sites and prevent source pollution through the regulation and inspection of underground storage tanks in Washington. 

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.

Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace 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.

 

During Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery, employees are working a combination of in-office and/or telework based on position and business need. Ecology is following current state guidance regarding building occupancy, mask requirements, health screening questions before entry, and social distancing. 

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of February 7, 2022. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before February 6, 2022. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date. 

Duties

 

You will lead and support a team of approximately 205 FTEs. The position has 11 direct reports, which includes seven second level managers, located in four regional offices and at our Headquarters Building.

 

 Responsibilities include:

 

We are looking for an experienced leader who is ready to team with a large group of dedicated professionals. You will need to have the ability to:

 

 

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 for the cleanup and restoration of the State’s land and water resources that have been impacted by contamination. This position represents Ecology’s cleanup interests to tribes, advocacy groups and residents from communities with environmental justice concerns, local government, the Legislature, business, industry and agriculture interests. It requires constant use of advanced management principles to address various and often-conflicting views of these groups in carrying out national and statewide toxics cleanup requirements. The position must be able to conceptualize, initiate, develop and implement strategic components of the state’s cleanup and underground storage tank goals under federal and state law. This position requires the use of effective communication skills to carry out the responsibilities inherent in the position.

As a key member of our Department's Executive Leadership Team, the successful candidate will:

 

 

This is an opportunity to make an impact! You will have the opportunity to help solve complex environmental issues, clean-up contaminated sites, restore communities for more healthy living, work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, and build an extensive statewide network to make durable and meaningful changes across our state. 

Qualifications

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational, volunteer and lived-experience. There are multiple ways to qualify for this position. See options listed below:

Option 1: 

Eleven (11) years of experience and/or education: 

Education: in public administration, business administration, environmental management, natural sciences, natural resources, environmental sciences, physical sciences, engineering, planning, or other related field.

Experience: in professional level management, which includes the following:

Please note: Experience in each of the areas may have been gained concurrently.

Option 2: A Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, environmental management, natural sciences, natural resources, environmental sciences, physical sciences, engineering, planning, or other related field AND Seven (7) years of professional level management experience as described above.

 

Option 3: A Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, environmental management, natural sciences, natural resources, environmental sciences, physical sciences, engineering, planning, or other related field AND Five (5) years of professional level management experience as described above.

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

The ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license.

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

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

Supplemental Information

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 candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

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

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

When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

 

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.

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. 

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Heather Bartlett at: Heather.Bartlett@ecology.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

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service 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.

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 (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information 

The Department of Ecology is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Forgiveness Program (PSLF). See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram 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. 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.