Voluntary Cleanup Program Site Manager (Hydrogeologist 3) Two Positions

Washington State Department of Ecology; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework options

Job summary

Washington State Department of Ecology in Southwest Washington, based in Lacey, seeks Hydrogeologist-level Site Managers for the Voluntary Cleanup Program. You will guide cleanup actions, review complex data, and lead consultants and property owners toward compliant closures.

The role offers telework eligibility with a minimum in-office presence, plus opportunities to mentor staff and contribute to policy discussions within the Toxics Cleanup Program.

Qualifications

• Experience applying MTCA and state cleanup regulations to support compliance.
• Manage multiple contaminated-site projects with clear milestones and schedules.
• Interpret geologic, hydrogeologic, and environmental data for decisions.
• Prepare defensible reports, letters, and regulatory determinations.
• Collaborate with owners, consultants, agencies to resolve issues.
• Mentor junior staff and participate in peer reviews and meetings.
• Maintain accurate site records and timely data submissions.

Responsibilities

• Review technical reports, data, work plans to identify regulatory next steps.
• Perform initial investigations, hazard assessments, and write recommendations.
• Oversee field activities, monitoring-well installations, and sampling plans.
• Draft technical correspondence and regulatory determinations.
• Engage with property owners, consultants, and agencies to align expectations.
• Provide technical guidance and participate in program workgroups.
• Keep site records up to date in agency databases.

Skills

Regulatory oversight

Project management

Data interpretation

Technical writing

Collaboration

QA/Field oversight

Technical leadership

Education

Major study in hydrogeology/hydrology/geology

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Visio

Adobe applications

Statistical tools

Groundwater modeling platforms

Job description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring two Voluntary Cleanup Program Site Managers (Hydrogeologist 3) within the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP).

Location

• Southwest Region 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 every other week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline

• Apply by August 10, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Join a mission-driven team working to protect Washington’s communities by advancing cleanup of sites impacted by hazardous substances released to the environment. As a Site Manager in the Toxics Cleanup Program's southwest region, you will manage cleanup projects that enroll in the Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP), ensuring cleanups meet the requirements of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA). You will evaluate complex geologic and environmental data, guide consultants and property owners toward technically sound cleanup actions, and help move contaminated sites to closure. If you are energized by applying geologic expertise to real-world cleanup projects, and want to make a direct and positive impact across the region, we would be thrilled to welcome your talent to our team.

What You Will Do

• Review and evaluate technical reports, sampling data, work plans, scopes of work, and corrective-action proposals to identify regulatory compliance, data adequacy, and next steps for contaminated sites.
• Conduct and document initial investigations and site hazard assessments, including data analysis, contamination evaluation, and preparation of clear written recommendations and assessment reports.
• Provide technical oversight and geologic/hydrogeologic review of complex cleanup sites, including evaluating field activities, monitoring-well installation, and environmental sampling plans.
• Prepare technical correspondence, opinion letters, regulatory determinations, and other cleanup documentation that clearly communicates requirements and supports cleanup progress.
• Collaborate with property owners, consultants, community members, and local or state agencies to address technical issues, communicate expectations, and support productive, solution-focused interactions.
• Offer technical assistance and mentorship to junior staff, contribute to peer reviews, and participate in program workgroups, planning efforts, and policy review as needed.
• Maintain accurate site records and ensure timely data submittals and document uploads in agency databases to support tracking, reporting, and regulatory decision-making.

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

Required Qualifications

• Regulatory and Cleanup Oversight: Experience reviewing environmental cleanup investigations and applying state cleanup regulations to support compliance and sound regulatory decisions.
• Environmental Project Management: Skill in managing multiple contaminated-site projects, coordinating work plans and schedules, and ensuring steady progress toward cleanup completion.
• Geologic and Environmental Data Interpretation: Ability to interpret geologic, hydrogeologic, and environmental data to evaluate site conditions and confirm that investigations are sufficient for decision-making.
• Technical Communication and Documentation: Strong technical writing skills, including preparing clear, defensible reports, letters, and regulatory determinations.
• Collaboration and Issue Resolution: Effective at working collaboratively with property owners, consultants, local governments, community members, and internal teams to resolve project issues.
• Quality Assurance and Field Oversight: Experience evaluating field investigation activities, sampling plans, and data-quality practices, and maintaining accurate site records.
• Technical Leadership and Mentorship: Ability to mentor junior staff and contribute to team consistency through peer review and knowledge-sharing.

Major study in hydrogeology, hydrology, geology or closely allied field.

Examples of how to qualify -- a valid Washington State Geologist license and:

• 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.
• 1 year of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• A Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions Of Employment

Possession of a Washington State Geologist license.

NOTE: Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials. These requirements can be found at the following website: WA State Licensing (DOL) Official Site: How to get your license: Geologists, engineering geologists, or hydrogeologists by reciprocity.

Desired Qualifications

• Washington State Hydrogeologist Specialty License (or ability to obtain).
• OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER training with current 8-hour refresher.
• Advanced Environmental and Regulatory Interpretation: Demonstrated ability to analyze complex environmental, geologic, and regulatory information to develop clear, well-supported cleanup recommendations consistent with Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), Underground Storage Tank (UST) regulations, and related environmental laws.
• Technical Communication and Engagement Skills: Strong ability to convey complex technical and regulatory concepts clearly in writing and verbally to support understanding, navigate challenging interactions, and guide cleanup progress.
• Collaborative Problem Solving and Relationship Building: Experience working constructively with property owners, consultants, local governments, and agency staff to identify and resolve sensitive or complicated technical issues.
• Senior-Level Technical Leadership: Experience providing technical guidance, peer review, or mentorship that strengthens team capability and supports consistent, science-based cleanup decisions.
• Applied Cleanup Project and Technical Tools Experience: Proficiency managing contaminated site cleanup projects and using relevant software tools (e.g., Visio, Adobe applications, statistical tools, groundwater modeling platforms) to enhance the clarity, efficiency, and defensibility of technical evaluations.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

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.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Marian Abbett 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 Toxics Cleanup Program

The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is to protect human health and the environment for the people of Washington by preventing, reducing, or eliminating exposure to contamination to support the development of environmentally and economically sustainable communities.

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.

Employee Benefits

• 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 *

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.