Assistant Program Planner and Performance Coordinator (Management Analyst 3)

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Ecology seeks an Assistant Program Planner and Performance Coordinator to support Water Quality leadership. You will drive process improvements, track bills, and help develop program plans while working with executives and staff across data systems.

You will also coordinate EJ workplans and prepare impact reports, requiring strong communication, collaboration, and analytical skills in a dynamic public-service setting.

Qualifications

• Legislative and policy analysis: interpret laws, rules, and policy proposals.
• Analytical thinking: examine data, identify trends, derive insights.
• Project coordination: organize and guide small-to-medium projects.
• Process improvement: identify inefficiencies and propose improvements.
• Communication: write clearly and present data visually.
• Facilitation: lead discussions and support teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead Water Quality process improvement projects and streamline workflows.
• Support Water Quality Legislative Liaison with policy documents and analyses.
• Assist in developing program strategic plans and report outcomes with data visuals.
• Coordinate EJ workplans and EJ impact reports for Water Quality.

Skills

Legislative & Policy Analysis

Analytical Thinking

Project Coordination

Process Improvement

Communication & Presentation

Facilitation & Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Assistant Program Planner and Performance Coordinator (Management Analyst 3) within the Water Quality 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.
• A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by October 12, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.
• Interviews are tentatively scheduled for October 28. 2026.

The Assistant Program planner is an exciting position that supports several critical program functions. You will have the chance to develop and refine a wide range of skills and areas of knowledge: the legislative process, policy development, program planning, performance monitoring, and process improvement. You’ll regularly work with program executives and senior staff. It’s a great opportunity for someone who wants to experience a diverse set of duties and learn about environmental protection through several different lenses.

What you will do:

• Lead Water Quality’s (WQ) process improvement projects: identify areas where program workflows and systems can be streamlined and automated, then work with appropriate staff to implement those projects.
• Support the Water Quality Legislative Liaison: track and research bills; coordinate the development of policy analysis, development, and legislative reports; draft or edit legislative and policy documents.
• Support the WQ Program Planner: help develop program strategic and business plans; lead specific portions of the planning process. Work with large data systems and data sets to develop graphs, tables, and charts reflecting program outcomes, and report outcomes to program managers and state systems.
• Support the WQ Environmental Justice Planner: Coordinate and support the development of WQ’s environmental justice (EJ) workplans and EJ impact reports.

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

Required Qualifications:

• Legislative and Policy Analysis– Ability to research and interpret laws, rules, and policy proposals to understand their impacts and provide clear recommendations that support program decisions.
• Analytical Thinking and Data Interpretation– Ability to examine complex information and data, identify key issues or trends, and develop practical insights to support informed decision-making.
• Project Coordination and Leadership– Ability to organize and guide small to medium-sized projects to keep activities on track, ensure alignment among participants, and achieve timely, quality results.
• Process Improvement– Ability to analyze how work is done, identify inefficiencies or gaps, and recommend improvements that make processes clearer, more efficient, and easier to use.
• Communication and Presentation– Ability to clearly communicate information in writing and visually to help staff, managers, and partners understand data, decisions, and next steps.
• Facilitation and Collaboration– Ability to bring groups together, guide discussions, and support productive teamwork to help groups make decisions and move work forward.

Education involving a major study in business administration, operations management, public administration, organizational studies, health administration, law, environmental law, finance, economics, statistics, environmental management, environmental or public policy, or closely related field; Professional certification in Six Sigma, Lean Black Belt, or Project Management Professional (PMP) may be accepted month-for month, up to one year of qualifying education.

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Desired Qualifications:

• A strong customer service ethic.
• Self-starter.
• Problem-solver.
• Attention to detail.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply.

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.

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.

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 [e-mail]
• 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 David Giglio at [e-mail]
• 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 [e-mail]

About the Water Quality Program

This position works in the Program Manager’s Office, which provides central leadership and support to a program of almost 400 environmental professionals. The Water Quality Program protects and improves water quality through regulations (permits) as well as technical and financial assistance.

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 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.