Rulemaking Lead (Environmental Planner 3) (Internal Only)

Description

The salary listed above includes the scheduled 2% general salary increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Rulemaking Lead (Environmental Planner 3) (Internal Only) within the  Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program (HWTR).

Note: This non-permanent appointment is expected to last up to 12 months from the appointment date. The duration may change depending on business needs, including whether the previous incumbent chooses to exercise return rights.

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 eight hours per pay period is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by June 30, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may be reviewed only if additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

1. Project and Process Management

Ability to plan, organize, and manage complex, long-term projects; coordinate contributors; anticipate barriers; and adapt to evolving priorities.

2. Technical and Regulatory Writing

Ability to produce clear, accurate, and well-structured written materials that translate technical or policy input into understandable and actionable content.

3. Documentation and Compliance Management

Ability to organize information, manage required documentation, track procedural requirements, and ensure accuracy and completeness across complex processes.

4. Outreach, Engagement, and Public Communication

Ability to develop communication materials, support public-facing engagement, and clearly present information to diverse audiences in meetings, workshops, and hearings.

5. Research and Analytical Evaluation

Ability to conduct research, assess data, interpret complex information, and contribute analytical insights that inform policy or regulatory decisions.

6. Training, Guidance, and Collaborative Work Practices

Ability to provide guidance, develop instructional materials, work collaboratively in a team environment, take initiative, and support colleagues in shared goals.

Education: in one of these fields or related fields: humanities, business, health and medicine, interdisciplinary studies, public and social services, science-technology-engineering-math, social sciences, land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis.

A Bachelor’s degree counts as 4 years of experience.

A Master’s degree counts as 6 years of experience. 

• 8 years of experience.
• 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Master’s degree or above

Desired Qualifications:

• Ability to understand and navigate structured regulatory or policy development processes, including working with laws, rules, procedures, or formal decision-making frameworks.

• Ability to interpret, analyze, and communicate environmental requirements, standards, or policies, whether at the federal, state, or local level.

• Ability to research, understand, and evaluate information related to environmental health, toxic chemicals, dangerous waste, or similar scientific or public health topics.

• Ability to recognize and consider environmental justice, equity impacts, and disparities in environmental or health outcomes when evaluating policies, programs, or technical information.

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.

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.

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 Stacey Callaway at Stacey.Callaway@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 Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program

The mission of the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program is to protect Washington’s residents and environment by reducing the use of toxic chemicals, safely managing dangerous waste, preventing new contaminated sites, and cleaning up contamination.

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.

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 *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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