Product Stewardship And Plastics Specialist (environmental Specialist 5) - Remote Eligible

Product Stewardship And Plastics Specialist

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Product Stewardship and Plastics Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) within the Solid Waste Management (SWM) program. 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. You may telework up to 90 percent of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Application Timeline: Apply by January 28, 2026. This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.

In this role, you will conduct high-level, statewide product stewardship and plastics policy development and analysis, working with a variety of local, state, and national interests. You will represent Ecology as the statewide Plastics Lead through participation in state and national organizations with the potential for additional training in plastics and product stewardship subject matter and conference attendance. Reviewing policy, conducting bill analysis, developing fiscal notes, working with the regulated community, collaborating with the post-consumer recycled content and product stewardship team, and rule development are all part of the things you will get to do.

Ten (10) years of experience and/or education as described below Experience: performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the position, that includes three or more of the following: • Product stewardship, solid waste management, recycling systems, and post-consumer recycled content (PCRC) requirements. • State and federal environmental laws, rulemaking processes, and legislative procedures. • Plastics management issues, recycling markets, and emerging technologies. • Principles of program administration, compliance oversight, and interested party engagement.

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets: • Developing and analyzing policy, legislation, rules, and technical guidance. • Building and facilitating effective relationships, including negotiation and conflict resolution. • Communicating complex information clearly through writing, presentations, outreach, and web content. • Managing projects, priorities, and contracts effectively. • Synthesizing technical, legislative, and interested party input into workable policy solutions. • Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make decisions or determine a course of action. • Reviewing / assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommending decisions or actions. • Conducting research and performing data analysis on both qualitative and quantitative data.