The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction (HWTR) Program is made up of people dedicated to fostering sustainability, preventing pollution, and promoting safe waste management. We do many different things in a coordinated approach to protect the people and environment of Washington from pollution from hazardous products and waste.


Some of the key work activities of the Senior Policy Analyst position include:

• As the designated principal planning consultant, leads the development and implementation of specific projects and assignments as needed, especially with cross-agency and cross-program politically and environmentally complex efforts such as Environmental Preferable Purchasing (EPP) and Reducing Toxic Threats (RTT). This may involve writing, analyzing and testifying on legislation as well as researching and writing policy documents and serving on cross-agency/cross-program teams.
• Leads the 5-year update to the State Solid & Hazardous Waste Plan including coordinating implementation of the state plan, and measure progress in implementing it. Develops and implements public involvement strategies for convening stakeholder discussions of HWTR state plan development & implementation with stakeholders inside and outside the agency. For the 2020 update, develop SMART goals and implementation strategies to move Ecology’s and others work more upstream by not creating future toxics and wastes. Ensures work performed by staff is reflected in the state plan goals and actions. Develops, and oversees content of outreach and plans website including the State Solid and Hazardous Waste Progress Report.
• Leads the development and implementation of a HWTR succession plan that includes recruitment, onboarding, retention and professional and leadership development that includes measurable goals and specific action steps.
• Leads HWTR’s program planning effort in cooperation with HWTR’s budget analyst.
• Works with HWTR lead data analyst on revising program performance measures and helping create a data driven culture that develops and uses SMART goals in HWTR through participation in HWTR data team and coaching staff.
• Works with others in the program and the agency to assist with change management efforts such as Toxics Evolution including mentoring and coaching staff, helping organizing all-staff workshops and developing strategic plans.
• This position is a recognized program expert for continuous improvement efforts within HWTR. This leadership role is key in building the capability for all staff and managers to identify problems, set targets for improvement, and implement changes. This position:
  • Mentors and coaches staff to develop continuous improvement and problem solving capabilities.
  • Understands workflows and helps work groups identify areas for improvement.
  • Uses organizational improvement and adaptation tools (such as kata and plan, do, check, act (PDCA) to coach managers and team leads working on improvement projects.
  • Works with program management to drive and support a results and data-driven culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Leads staff and managers in developing the right metrics to measure program efforts.
  • Works with other lean practitioners inside and outside the agency to share and coordinate lean efforts.

Required Qualifications:
 
A Bachelor’s degree or above with a major emphasis 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

AND

Seven (7) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.
 


Desired Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or above with a major emphasis 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.
• Knowledge of environmental management principles including tactical and strategic program planning
• Knowledge of principles of environmental science
• Knowledge of innovations in waste management–regionally and nationally
• Negotiation skills
• Project management skills
• Mediation and facilitation skills
• Ability to coach and train a variety of staff including engineers, environmental scientists, regulatory inspectors, IT specialists, and managers.
• Prior success in implementing and sustaining result improvements.
• Knowledge and successful application of lean tools.

Application Instructions:
 
In order to be considered, applicants MUST include the following documents as an attachment to their application:

• A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
• A resume outlining your professional experience.

Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile’s resume text field.

Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including “please see resume” may disqualify you from further consideration.

Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on “Look for Jobs” and select Dept. of Ecology under the “Department” search list. Click “Apply Search.”
 
 
Other Information:

If you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Darin Rice at: dric461@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Darin to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology. All employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the WFSE will, as a condition of employment, either become members of the WFSE and pay membership dues or, as non-members, pay a representation fee as described in the CBA, no later than the 30th day following the effective date of this CBA or the beginning of their employment.

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 or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.