Description

Do you want to influence solid waste compliance policy and implementation in Washington state to help protect residents and the environment? Are you detail oriented and comfortable working with complex documents? Do you enjoy distilling technical and regulatory information into interpretations and responses that are correct and easily understood?

Consider our Solid Waste Rules Coordinator (Regulatory Analyst 3) (In-Training) position in the Department of Ecology’s Solid Waste Management (SWM) Program. This position can be located in any one of the following offices.

Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA.
Central Region Office (CRO) in Union Gap, WA.
Eastern Region Office (ERO) in Spokane, WA.

Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Please Note: If the final location of this position is determined to be in our Northwest Region Office (NWRO) in Shoreline, WA. there will be an additional 5% pay increase due to its location in King County. In this instance the salary range will be $5,531 - $8,413 per month.

Note: This position offers a career path and on-the-job training. This position allows you to progress through the Regulatory Analyst field and achieve the goal class of a Regulatory Analyst 3 (RA3). Candidates will be considered at the RA2 and the RA3 levels, depending on their qualifications. For salary levels for each, please see the qualifications section.

The SWM Program’s mission is to protect Washington’s residents and environment by reducing wastes through prevention and reuse, keeping toxics out of the environment, and safely managing what remains. In this position you will work with diverse and innovative teams that have a collaborative approach to our work. We strive to create rules, policies, statutory interpretations, and regulatory implementation, which are equivalent and consistent with regulation, enforceable, and implementable. A few overarching goals of this position are to:

• Provide excellent service to support the SWM Program's waste reduction vision.
• Maintain and support the consistent development and application of solid waste regulations across Washington state.
• Provide consistent internal and external technical assistance to help ensure solid waste is managed properly.

This position directly influences all Solid Waste Regulations in the State. You will review new legislative laws passed by the legislature for SWM to implement, state-legislated changes to regulations, Ecology-proposed changes for adoption into SWM regulations, and tracking new EPA solid waste regulations and policies. You will primarily be responsible for:

• Chapter 173-350 WAC rule development and rulemaking.
• Rule development and rulemaking for recently passed legislation on batteries.
• Regulatory analysis and policy development.
• Review all SWM laws, rules, and programs and make recommendations for possible rule development and rulemaking.

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to an 90% telework schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and is subject to change.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, we will review applications on May 23, 2023. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before May 22, 2023. If your application isn't received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date.

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

About the Department of Ecology

• 
  A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

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.

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.

Duties

What makes this role unique?

Changes to regulations must be equivalent, consistent, enforceable, and implementable. Rulemaking involves:

• Regulatory document analysis.
• Policy analysis.
• Complex document writing.
• Working with various subject matter experts, industry, Tribal Governments, and interested members of the public.

In this role, you will also be involved with interpreting chapter 173-350 WAC (Solid Waste Handling Standards), providing technical assistance, and developing statewide guidance and possible training.

What you will do:

This position offers the opportunity to affect statewide solid waste regulations and policy. You will have a number of priorities and duties, which generally include:

• Lead the chapter 173-350 WAC Solid Waste Handling Standards Regulations rulemaking team to develop updates to these regulations based on state legislative mandates and Ecology-suggested updates.
• Support coordination among the Solid Waste Management (SWM) program rule writing leads for all SWM rules.
• Attend EPA, Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (ASTSWMO), and professional conferences representing SWM when appropriate.
• Conduct highly specialized and in-depth analyses of technical issues related to the development, interpretation, technical assistance, and implementation of all SWM regulations.
• Recommend decisions to SWM program management team regarding complex and politically sensitive policy issues that may have significant impact on the regulated community. There may also be significant public interest in our regulatory actions and rulemaking that affect communities, including overburdened communities, where solid waste regulated facilities are located.
• Work with regional specialists to respond to technical assistance requests from Ecology staff, local government health departments, the public, and other regulated entities seeking regulatory interpretation of SWM rules, policies or guidance.
• Incorporate environmental justice, into rule development projects in compliance with Ecology policy and state law.
• Conduct analysis in coordination with other subject matter experts to determine the best regulatory approach for emerging wastes under SWM regulations.
• Provide expertise on SWM regulations to other Ecology programs, such as working with the Hazardous Waste and Toxic Reduction Program on moderate risk waste management, paint recycling product stewardship program, emerging waste recycling programs (e.g., EV batteries, PV panels), and participate in various Job-Alike Groups (JAG) teams as assigned and needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

• 
  30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

This is an In-Training position. The goal class for this position is Regulatory Analyst 3 (RA3). We will consider applicants who meet the requirements for the Re gulatory Analyst 2 or 3 levels. If the finalist meets the requirements for the RA2 level, then they will be hired as an RA2 and will be placed in a training program to become an RA3 within a specified period of time.

At the Regulatory Analyst 2 level: Range 60 ($5,268 - $7,085 per month) (In-Training)

A total of seven (7) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Professional level Experience in research or analysis with an organization engaged primarily in regulation of industry (developing or implementing regulations that control how an industry operates) on regulatory compliance matters.

Education with a major study in:

• A natural or physical science (e.g. chemistry, geology, physics, or similar), OR
• Solid or hazardous waste management, OR
• Environmental engineering, management, health, policy, or sciences, OR
• Economics, accounting, business or public administration, social sciences, law, OR
• A closely related field of study.

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:

At the Regulatory Analyst 3 level: Range 63 ($5,960 - $8,013 per month) (Goal Class)

A total of eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

Professional level Experience in research or analysis with an organization engaged primarily in regulation of industry (developing or implementing regulations that control how an industry operates) on regulatory compliance matters.

Education with a major study in:

• A natural or physical science (e.g. chemistry, geology, physics, or similar), OR
• Solid or hazardous waste management, OR
• Environmental engineering, management, health, policy, or sciences, OR
• Economics, accounting, business or public administration, social sciences, law, OR
• A closely related field of study.

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Obtain and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Availability to represent Ecology at public hearings (both in-person and remote) related to chapter 173-350 WAC and all other Solid Waste Management related rulemaking.

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

• Three years of experience with the Solid Waste Handling Standards (chapter 173-350 WAC).
• Demonstrated knowledge of Washington State rulemaking processes.
• Hearings Officer Training.

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?

• 
  Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
• If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.

Application Instructions:

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

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• A list of three professional references.

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

For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc.
• Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees:

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.

Application Attestation:

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.

Other Information:

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Al Salvi at Albert.Salvi@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Al to inquire about the status of your application.

To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

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.

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.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

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.

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.