Statewide Program Rule and Policy Lead (Environmental Planner 5)

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington’s Department of Ecology is seeking a Statewide Program Rule and Policy Lead (Environmental Planner 5) to drive statewide rulemaking and policy efforts within the Water Resources Program. The role advances environmental justice and strengthens tribal, community, and inter-agency partnerships.

You will guide complex rulemaking from planning through adoption, develop strategies, and mentor staff while coordinating with agency leaders and technical experts.

Qualifications

• Eleven years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to lead rulemaking and manage projects.
• Experience with Tribal engagement and public processes.
• Ability to draft regulatory language and interpret laws and regulations.
• Education in land use/environmental planning or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Lead statewide rule development efforts and serve as the primary contact for Water Resources Program rulemaking.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams across regions and agencies, including Tribal representatives and community partners.
• Prepare rule packages, draft language, and ensure compliance with applicable statutes.
• Design and manage public engagement activities and accessible materials for diverse communities.
• Mentor and train rulemaking leads and staff to build program-wide capability.
• Research and analyze legal, technical, and policy issues to support leadership decisions.
• Develop guidance and procedural documents for statewide policy updates.
• Track rulemaking timelines and coordinate with internal teams for timely progress.

Skills

Communication

Collaboration & Relationship Building

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Rulemaking Leadership

Project & Workflow Management

Partner & Tribal Engagement

Regulatory Drafting & Documentation

Legal and Regulatory Interpretation

Research & Analysis

Education

Major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field

Job description

This recruitment is open only to current Department of Ecology employees, including those on temporary or project assignments, and Ecology's Washington Conservation Corps members.

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Statewide Program Rule and Policy Lead (Environmental Planner 5)within the Water Resources 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 two days per month are required in the office.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

In this role, you will lead statewide rule and policy development that shapes the future of water resources across Washington. You will guide complex rulemaking efforts from planning through adoption, ensuring they are transparent, well-coordinated, and grounded in sound legal and policy analysis. You will help set direction for the Water Resources Program by developing clear rulemaking strategies, supporting consistent decisions across regions, and providing trusted guidance to staff and leadership.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the center of big, meaningful issues—helping Washington meet present and future water needs while advancing environmental justice and strengthening relationships with Tribes, communities, and partners across government. You will collaborate with dedicated teams of scientists, planners, economists, attorneys, and managers, and your work will directly influence how water is managed for generations to come.

What you will do:

• Lead statewide rule development efforts, including new and amended rules, and serve as the primary point of contact for Water Resources Program rulemaking.
• Plan, coordinate, and guide the work of multi-disciplinary teams across regions, programs, and agencies—including close collaboration with agency leaders, Tribal representatives, technical experts, and community partners.
• Prepare rule packages, draft rule language, and ensure compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act, Regulatory Fairness Act, and other statutory requirements.
• Design and manage public engagement activities, including public comment periods and hearings, and develop accessible materials that support meaningful participation, especially for underserved populations.
• Provide mentoring, training, and guidance to rulemaking leads and staff, helping build skill, consistency, and confidence across the program.
• Conduct research and analyze legal, technical, and policy issues to develop recommendations, briefing materials, and decision-support documents for leadership.
• Support statewide policy development by researching emerging issues, drafting guidance and procedural documents, and communicating policy updates to staff and management.
• Track rulemaking activities, timelines, and status updates, and coordinate with internal teams to ensure alignment, effective communication, and timely progress.

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

Required Qualifications:

• Eleven years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

  • Communication – Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully to explain complex information and support shared understanding among staff, leadership, Tribes, and other partners.

  • Collaboration & Relationship Building – Ability to work effectively with internal teams and external partners to build trust, coordinate efforts, and support successful rule and policy outcomes.

  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving – Ability to assess information, analyze issues, and make sound recommendations to support rulemaking and policy decisions.

  • Rulemaking Leadership – Ability to lead and coordinate rule development activities to ensure rules are well-planned, transparent, and compliant with legal requirements.

  • Project & Workflow Management – Ability to organize tasks, set priorities, and manage timelines to ensure rulemaking and policy projects are completed effectively and on schedule.

  • Partner & Tribal Engagement – Ability to plan and facilitate meaningful engagement to gather input, strengthen relationships, and support open and inclusive public processes.

  • Regulatory Drafting & Documentation – Ability to draft clear, accurate, and understandable rule language, policies, and supporting documents to meet program needs and legal standards.

  • Legal and Regulatory Interpretation – Ability to interpret laws, regulations, and procedural requirements to ensure rulemaking activities comply with the Administrative Procedures Act and other obligations.

  • Research & Analysis – Ability to research scientific, legal, and policy information to produce accurate guidance, presentations, and decision-support materials.

• Educationinvolving a major study in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge and experience in the following areas:
  • Water resources laws, rules, and policy
  • Watershed planning and management
  • Experience engaging in communication and consultation with Tribal governments.
  • Experience working on agency rules, developing or implementing
• Training or professional experience with environmental justice law and policy, research design and analytical methods, data and mapping tools, and regulatory analysis.

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: 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.

We base our selection on the information you provide, and 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?

• 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 Lola Flores 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 Resources Program

The mission of the Water Resources Program is to manage water resources to benefit all Washingtonians and to protect the natural environment for current and future generations.

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.

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