Hazardous Waste Compliance Team Lead (Environmental Specialist 5)

State of Washington; Wenatchee (WA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington’s Department of Ecology seeks a Hazardous Waste Compliance Team Lead (Environmental Specialist 5) to lead the Northwest Region’s dangerous waste program, oversee inspections, mentor staff, and drive enforcement and policy interpretation across regions.

You will develop training, coordinate with AG’s Office, and ensure consistent application of regulations while supporting environmental justice goals. Position offers telework options and location flexibility.

Qualifications

• Experience applying Washington’s Dangerous Waste Regulations (chapter 173-303 WAC), RCWs, and federal hazardous waste requirements.
• Ability to plan and conduct detailed inspections of regulated facilities and assess practices.
• Experience preparing inspection reports, violation summaries, and enforcement materials.
• Ability to interpret internal policies, enforcement procedures, and regulatory guidance.
• Experience directing technical staff and providing guidance on complex questions.
• Ability to present regulatory information clearly in writing and verbally.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Northwest Region’s dangerous waste compliance team by assigning inspections and setting goals.
• Mentor and train inspectors, providing technical guidance and coaching on enforcement strategies.
• Identify regulatory ambiguities and collaborate to develop solutions and improve clarity.
• Represent HWTR in internal and external discussions on compliance topics.
• Lead development of internal tools, guidance, and training for consistent enforcement.
• Coordinate with inspectors, leadership, and AG’s Office to review enforcement cases.
• Prioritize inspections and complaints using risk-based approaches with environmental justice considerations.
• Conduct senior-level inspections for high-priority generators and document findings.

Skills

Dangerous Waste Regulation

Inspection Planning

Enforcement Documentation

Policy Interpretation

Technical Leadership

Professional Communication

Education

Environmental Science degree

Job description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Hazardous Waste Compliance Team Lead (Environmental Specialist 5) within the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program (HWTR).

Location

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

• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA
• Bellingham Field Office in Bellingham, WA

Note: If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County. Salary range: $6703 - $9012 monthly.

Schedule

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework up to 90% of your time, with 2 days per month in-office at your assigned duty station. Additional time in-office or at off-site locations may be required to attend in-person meetings or other events.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline

• Apply by November 1, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may be reviewed only if additional qualified applicants are needed.

What you will do:

• Lead the Northwest Region’s dangerous waste compliance team by assigning inspections, setting inspection goals, monitoring progress, and ensuring high-quality, consistent implementation of dangerous waste regulations.
• Mentor and train compliance inspectors at multiple experience levels, providing technical guidance, coaching, and support on complex regulatory questions, enforcement pathways, and inspection strategy.
• Identify emerging issues, new sectors, or areas of regulatory ambiguity that require additional program attention, collaborating with senior program staff to develop solutions and improve clarity in regulatory interpretation.
• Represent HWTR during high-visibility internal and external discussions on compliance topics, including interpretation of regulations, enforcement approaches, and evolving sector-specific challenges.
• Lead development of internal tools, technical guidance, and training that strengthen consistency in compliance and enforcement activities across regions.
• Coordinate with inspectors, section leadership, and the Attorney General’s Office to develop and review enforcement cases, ensuring they are grounded in evidence, precedent, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee prioritization of inspections and complaint response using risk-based approaches that incorporate environmental justice considerations and regional objectives.
• Conduct senior-level compliance inspections for high-priority and complex dangerous waste generators, documenting findings and developing recommendations that support consistent enforcement decisions.
• Serve as a central resource for program-wide compliance questions, working with other regional leads and program management to maintain uniform dangerous waste regulatory interpretation.
• Communicate clearly with regulated facilities, internal teams, and partnering agencies to explain compliance expectations, regulatory obligations, corrective actions, and enforcement processes.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, 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:

• Dangerous Waste Regulatory Application: Experience applying Washington’s Dangerous Waste Regulations (chapter 173-303 WAC), RCWs, and federal hazardous waste requirements to determine compliance obligations.
• Compliance Inspection Execution: Ability to plan and conduct detailed inspections of regulated facilities, assess operational practices, and identify violations based on technical and regulatory criteria.
• Enforcement Documentation Development: Experience preparing inspection reports, violation summaries, and supporting materials for administrative or civil enforcement actions.
• Policy and Guidance Interpretation: Ability to interpret internal policies, enforcement procedures, and regulatory guidance, and use them to support consistent compliance decisions.
• Technical Leadership: Experience providing direction to technical staff, mentoring, reviewing work products, and offering guidance on complex compliance questions.
• Professional Communication: Skill in presenting regulatory and technical information clearly in writing and verbally while maintaining professionalism in challenging or sensitive situations.

Education:

Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied 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 or above.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• 40-hour initial Hazwoper must be taken and passed within 6 months of hire date or be current in this Hazwoper training.
• 8-hour refresher Hazwoper must be taken and passed annually.
• Must have, or be able to obtain, and maintain a valid Washington driver’s license to be able to carry out inspection duties.
• Must participate in Ecology’s medical monitoring program for inspectors if the position requires 24 or more field visits per year.

Desired Qualifications:

Preferred experience:

• Work experience within the fields of waste reduction or pollution prevention is highly preferred, specifically experience and knowledge of RCRA, chapter 173-303 WAC, and other laws and regulations related to the management of hazardous waste.

Preferred knowledge and abilities:

• Knowledge of industrial processes involving hazardous substances, generation of hazardous or solid wastes, air emissions and wastewater discharges.
• Ability to interact with a wide variety of individuals and exercise the soft skills needed to network within business and academic communities.
• Ability to prepare high quality materials for technical information (written and through presentation) with clarity to a wide audience.

Our Commitment to DEIR

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 thatDEIRis 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 and select #2 for Recruitment or email [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 Thomas Perkow 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 Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program

The mission of the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program is to protect Washington’s residents and environment by reducing the use of toxic chemicals, safely managing dangerous waste, preventing new contaminated sites, and cleaning up contamination.

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 ProgramCommute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader)
• Combined Fund Drive
• SmartHealth*

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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