Toxics Reduction Project Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)

The salary listed includes the 3% general salary increase that went into effect on July 1, 2025.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Toxics Reduction Project Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) within the Water Quality Program.

This is a project position that is funded until September 30, 2029. 

Location Options:

This position can be based at any of the following duty stations:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA.
• Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA.

Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected 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. 
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: 

• Apply by July 15, 2025
• 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 above date may not be considered.

Duties

As the Toxics Reduction Project Specialist, you will apply creative problem solving and a collaborative spirit to maximize the impact of existing funding programs to strategically advance toxics reduction work in the Columbia River Basin. You will administer all aspects of the Columbia and Spokane Toxics Reduction grants application cycle and provide oversight of individual funded projects from agreement negotiation to project closeout. You will be an active team member on the Columbia River Toxics Reduction Strategy, providing insight on how to set realistic and actionable milestones, and assist developing schedule and cost estimates for recommended actions. You will apply your knowledge of best management practices for source control, treatment and/or cleanup of toxics (PCBs, PFAS, lead, PbDE, mercury, etc) to inform funding priorities, application evaluations, and project oversight in coordination with toxicologists and other technical experts.

What you will do:

• Negotiate and write new funding agreements, in coordination with the Project Manager. Incorporate input from project evaluators, Ecology engineers, financial management staff, and other Ecology subject matter experts. Ensure funding agreements are in accordance with state and federal rules and regulations, and funding source requirements. Finalize agreements in the Ecology Administration of Grants and Loans system.
• Assess project compliance with funding agreement terms, funding program guidelines, agency policy, and state and federal funding program requirements.
• Monitor performance of funded projects through review and processing of quarterly progress reports, payment requests, backup documentation, project deliverables, and performing site visits throughout the project duration, specifically at critical milestone stages.
• Participate with the Columbia River Restoration Lead, regional colleagues, and external partners to develop, inform, and promote funding options to advance implementation of the toxics reduction strategy. Identify any issues that rise to the need for cross-program discussion and problem solving.
• Use in-depth knowledge of best management practices to reduce toxins, regulations, and project delivery processes to identify issues with project scope, schedule, or budgets that could affect project implementation and final completion.
• Coordinate project closeout information with recipients to ensure all deliverables are achieved, documented, and approved.
• Develop program improvements, including templates, guidelines, and other materials to ensure consistent compliance with applicable standards.

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the essential functions and key activities of the position, that includes two or more of the following:
  • Project Management – Monitoring project progress, reviewing reports, managing deliverables, and conducting site visits.
  • Regulatory Compliance – Applying state and federal funding requirements, environmental policies, and grant guidelines in project oversight and compliance monitoring.
  • Contract and Grant Management – Negotiating, writing, and managing funding agreements.
  • Partner Engagement & Outreach – Providing technical assistance, training, and outreach to local governments and internal/external project partners.
• Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:
  • 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.
    
     
• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position.

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience planning and implementing toxic reduction best management practices, source control, and/or water quality protection and improvement projects.
• Knowledge and experience in water quality issues, assessment and protection, and riparian restoration.
• Experience writing clear, actionable scopes of work, deliverables, and/or action plans.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

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.

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 Eliza Keeley at Eliza.Keeley@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 Water Quality Program

The Water Quality Program vision is for Washington's communities to work together and with us to sustain healthy, thriving watersheds and provide cool, clean water to fish, shellfish, wildlife, people, and businesses. Future generations have improved access to clean water even as our climate changes. As part of the Financial Management Section, you will see policy and public funding meet boots-on-the-ground to do the work to realize this vision.

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.