Product Stewardship and Plastics Specialist; Environmental Specialist

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

Product Stewardship and Plastics Specialist (Environmental Specialist
5) within the Solid Waste Management (SWM) program.

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Must live within a commutable distance from duty station.

• Eligible for telework up to 90% of work time with occasional in‑person meetings.
• Schedules subject to change based on position needs.

• Apply by January 28, 2026.
• Position open until filled; may be filled at any time after review begins.

• Participate in legislative activities, including reviewing draft legislation, conducting bill analyses, assisting in fiscal note development, preparing testimony, developing talking points, writing documents and reports, and presenting at legislative work sessions.
• Negotiate complex policy issues with internal and external parties and conduct outreach with affected parties, local governments, state and federal agencies, trade organizations, and associations.
• Lead implementation of post‑consumer recycled content law, chapter 70A.245 RCW, including workload analysis and addressing non‑compliance through enforcement and negotiated corrective action plans.
• Develop and implement contracts for external assistance with technology and process development for managing plastic material.
• Provide policy recommendations to Ecology, other agencies, local governments, and legislators to reduce, recycle, or manage plastic packaging or products.
• Respond to requests for presentations and interviews; represent the agency and develop and present product stewardship issues and policies to local, state, national entities and media.

Experience

• Ten years of experience and/or education, including three or more of the following:

• Product stewardship, solid waste management, recycling systems, and post‑consumer recycled content requirements.
• State and federal environmental laws, rule making processes, and legislative procedures.
• Plastics management issues, recycling markets, and emerging technologies.
• Principles of program administration, compliance oversight, and interested party engagement.

• Demonstrated competence in:

• 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 and analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills to make decisions.
• Reviewing and assessing information and data to draw conclusions and recommend actions.
• Conducting research and performing data analysis on qualitative and quantitative data.

Education

Degree in environmental, physical, or natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or related field. (See qualification examples below.)

Examples of how to qualify

• 10 years of experience.
• 9 years of experience AND 30–59 semester or 45–89 quarter college credits.
• 8 years of experience AND 60–89 semester or 90–134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 7 years of experience AND 90–119 semester or 135–179 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 4 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of solid waste laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of product stewardship, product take‑back or extended producer responsibility policies, programs, and principles.
• Ability to think conceptually, observe and interpret trends, analyze data, and draw logical conclusions.
• Skilled at communication with private businesses and public organizations.
• Experience developing technical reports and outreach materials.
• Work well with interested parties; identify key partners and maintain effective working relationships.
• Understanding of negotiation and mediation processes.
• Ability to recognize emerging issues and plan in advance to address them.
• Knowledge of plastics and packaging issues,…