Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.

The Waste 2 Resources (W2R) program is currently looking to fill a Legislative/Policy Coordinator (Environmental Planner 4) position. This position will be located in our Headquarters Building in Lacey, WA.

This position serves as a senior planner responsible for emerging policy issues affecting solid and hazardous waste and materials management. Coordinates the W2R Program legislative process, and provides high-level policy analysis on solid waste regulatory programs and financial programs supporting waste management, recycling, and public involvement. The position reports to the W2R Program Manager and is responsible for tracking all legislation affecting the W2R Program; prepares bill analyses and program testimony; coordinates fiscal notes with the Budget Planner; and develops the W2R interim legislative strategy and stakeholder communication. In conjunction with the Program Manager, the position coordinates the work of the W2R Advisory Committee and works closely with the Program’s Senior Planner on policy analyses associated with the Washington State Solid and Hazardous Waste Plan. The position is responsible for making policy and legislative recommendations to the Program Manager and Program Management Team.

We are looking for applicants who have strong written and verbal communication skills, are independent, work well with stakeholders and have a good understanding of how solid waste works within the State of Washington.

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov.

Local efforts… Diverse people… Statewide impacts

This Legislative/Policy Coordinator works on politically and environmentally complex legislative and waste related policy issues. This position coordinates the W2R Program legislative response, and the development of policies impacting regulatory and legislative programs. This position involves exercising independent judgment, actions, and initiatives.

Some of the key work activities of the Legislative/Policy Coordinator (EP4) position include:

• Reviewing all legislation assigned to the W2R Program, and either drafts the bill analysis or assigns the bill to appropriate the W2R staff for analysis.
• Drafting legislative testimony.
• Coordinating legislative bill tracking, fiscal note tracking, legislative hearings with the Governmental Relations Office, legislative staff, program staff, and the W2R Program Management Team.
• Is responsible for developing the interim legislative strategy for the W2R Program including working with external stakeholders, local government staff, and state and federal agency staff.
• Prepares key messages and identifies emerging issues.
• This position is the lead on developing agency request legislation.
• Works in concert with the Senior Planner on emerging policy issues affecting solid and hazardous waste and materials management.
• Researching and analyzing complex emerging issues statewide, and provides recommendations to the W2R Program Management Team.
• Negotiating complex and often contentious policy issues with internal and external stakeholders, and state and federal agencies.
• Participates on the Materials Management Team and the State Plan Team.
• Assists with the implementation of the State Plan and outreach with affected stakeholders, local governments, and state and federal agencies.
• Assists with the update of the State Plan and works closely with the Recycling Coordinator position on recycling policy issues.

This recruitment will close on October 29, 2015. There will be an initial screening of applicants on October 22, 2015. To be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application and required materials on or before October 21, 2015. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment at any time after the initial screening date.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s Degree involving major study in an environmental, physical, natural science, engineering, planning, or closely related field, AND five years of experience in project management, team leadership, staff management, or equivalent work experience which includes at least three years of experience working on waste management issues in the private or public sector,

OR

A Master’s Degree in the above or closely related fields, AND three years of experience in project management, team leadership, staff management, or equivalent work experience and which includes at least three years of experience working on waste management issues in the private or public sector.

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of solid and hazardous waste management issues including recycling and reuse programs.
• Environmental Negotiations skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Knowledge of the legislative process.

Working Conditions:

During Legislative Session, this position may be asked to work long hours and attend meetings outside of the normal workday or work week. The position is predominantly an office position including work in Washington’s legislative offices. Occasionally the position may be asked to accompany field staff to work on legislative or sensitive regulatory issues, or attend meetings. Work hours are normally 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A flexible schedule is negotiable outside of Legislative Session.

For immediate consideration, please apply online at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1259619.