Solid Waste Management Data Lead (Environmental Specialist 5) (Internal Only)

This recruitment is open only to current Department of Ecology employees, including those on temporary or project assignments, and Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Solid Waste Management Data Lead (Environmental Specialist 5) (Internal Only) within the Solid Waste Management 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 most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities (About one day every other week).

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

As the Solid Waste Management Data Lead, you’ll analyze and communicate reported statewide solid waste data clearly, which can lead to actionable insights that help Washington communities reduce waste and move toward a more sustainable, resource-efficient future. In this role, you’ll be responsible for shaping key program indicators, guiding statewide waste characterization studies, and collaborating across programs to track progress toward important program and agency environmental goals. You’ll also support and mentor data specialists and help inform people how recycled materials and waste-reduction strategies evolve statewide. This position is a great fit for someone who enjoys working with complex information, communicating its value, and growing in a technical role within environmental policy and program development.

What you will do:

• Lead the Solid Waste Management Program’s data work, creating and updating indicators that track annual waste generated, waste collected for recycling, and other types of recovery in Washington.
• Plan and oversee major studies, including statewide waste characterization and recycling destination research, from scoping through final results.
• Guide the cross-program data team and maintain the Waste in WA online Progress Report.
• Provide clear, data-based recommendations to program leaders to support policy decisions.
• Improve how facilities and local partners report solid waste data and help transition reporting to electronic tools.
• Mentor and support data specialists who handle solid waste facility reporting and waste generation and recycling metrics.
• Work with program subject matter experts to develop and implement new reporting metrics for a variety of solid waste materials as required in new laws as they get passed
• Share key findings with leaders, staff, the public, and other partners through presentations, briefings, and easy-to-understand visuals.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Ten (10) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Data Analysis & Management – Ability to collect, analyze, and manage data to produce reliable information that supports sound decisions.

• Regulatory & Policy Application – Ability to understand, apply, and contribute to policies, laws, and rules to ensure consistent and compliant program work.

• Communication – Ability to communicate clearly in writing and verbally to explain information and support shared understanding.

• Facilitation & Collaboration – Ability to guide discussions and support group collaboration to help teams reach common goals.

• Problem Solving & Decision Making – Ability to assess issues, develop options, and make informed decisions to resolve problems and improve outcomes.

• Initiative and Follow-Through – Ability to identify needed actions and carry tasks through to completion to achieve timely and effective results.

Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; business administration; statistics, or related field.

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:

• Creative & Innovative Thinking – Ability to develop innovative ideas that provide solutions to all types of workplace challenges.

• Resourcefulness in Problem Solving – Ability to use intelligence, common sense, hard work, and tenacity to solve particularly difficult or complicated challenges.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

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 .

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.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

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 Al Salvi at Al.Salvi@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

The Solid Waste Management (SWM) Program's mission is to reduce waste through prevention and reuse; keep toxics out of the environment; and safely manage what remains. This position reports to the Technical Services Unit supervisor, which is part of Solid Waste Management’s Statewide Resources Section.

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.

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.

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.

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 Incentive, 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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