Product Stewardship Unit Supervisor (WMS Band 1)

Oregonrecyclers; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A state environmental agency is seeking a Product Stewardship Unit Supervisor in Olympia, WA. This role involves managing product stewardship laws, supervising professional staff, and developing policies. Candidates should have significant experience in project management, leadership, and a background in public administration or environmental science. The position offers telework flexibility and requires a commitment to collaborative engagement. If you're passionate about protecting Washington's environment, we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications

• Nine years of experience in product stewardship programs or public sector project management.
• Five years of supervisory or team-lead experience required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff implementing product stewardship laws and developing policy.
• Coordinate statewide product stewardship law implementation.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Policy development

Education

Major study in public administration, environmental science, communications, business administration, or related field

Job description

Overview

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Product Stewardship Unit Supervisor (WMS Band 1) within the Solid Waste Management (SWM) 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 March 23, 2026
• 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 date above may not be considered.

This is a new position in the Solid Waste Management Policy Section which will manage and help build a cohesive, collaborative Product Stewardship unit. Staff in this unit lead strategy and policy development, implement product stewardship laws, conduct bill analysis, and advocate for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Product Stewardship (PS) programs. In this role, you will help coordinate engagement on these topics with national, state, and local agencies, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, industry associations, and commercial and retail entities in accordance with our mission and direction prescribed in statutes.

What you will do

• Supervise and support professional staff implementing diverse product stewardship laws, writing rules, and developing policy.
• Administer and coordinate statewide product stewardship law implementation, ensuring compliance with state rules, fiscal policies, and reporting requirements.
• Lead the Product Stewardship unit to ensure engagement, communication, and publications meet program and agency requirements.
• Coordinate with other Solid Waste Management and agency programs to ensure cooperation and understanding of product stewardship tasks and responsibilities.
• Formulate and present recommendations for program initiatives, policies, and procedures to the Section Manager and Program Management Team.

How to Apply

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

Required Qualifications

Nine years of progressively responsible experience and/or education, as described below:

• Experience in product stewardship programs or public sector project management, which must include five years of supervisory or team-lead experience.
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to:
  • Interpret and apply state laws, administrative rules, and fiscal policies governing product stewardship programs.
  • Manage multiple projects, staff, and priorities in a dynamic environment while maintaining quality, compliance, and timeliness.
  • Provide effective leadership and supervision to professional staff, including performance management, coaching, and workload planning.
  • Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences including state and local governments, nonprofits, and the public.
  • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external partners, fostering trust, inclusivity, and accountability.
  • Understand principles of project development, planning, and implementation, including identifying staffing levels and costs to implement new projects.
  • Use data and performance measures to guide decision-making and evaluate program effectiveness.
  • Understand and apply Ecology’s Core, Leadership, and DEIR Competencies, including service focus, adaptability, communication, integrity, and strategic thinking.
• Education involving a major study in public administration, environmental science, communications, business administration, or a related field.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to travel frequently to meetings, collection or processing sites, or events throughout the state, occasionally requiring overnight stays.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supervising professional staff in a public agency, local government, or nonprofit organization.
• Experience managing or administering statewide programs that impact multiple partners, including policy interpretation and fiscal oversight.
• Experience developing or overseeing public communication and outreach strategies.
• Strong understanding of solid waste, recycling, or materials management programs, including relevant state statutes and plans (e.g., RCW 70A.205, State Solid Waste Plan).

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. Ecology is committed to a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM OPT. For more information, please visit the USCIS website.

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 professional goals and protecting the environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.

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