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Program Manager for the Toxics Cleanup Program

Washington State Department of Ecology
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The Department of Ecology's priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are still hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. The majority of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews. 
Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. If you want to lead a highly effective, collaborative team that is dedicated to cleaning up contaminated sites and improving the environment to support sustainable communities and natural resources, this may be the position for you. 
Our Mission at the Department of Ecology is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations. This mission is achieved by the pursuit of three goals: (1) prevent pollution (2) clean up pollution and (3) support sustainable communities and natural resources.
Our Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) supports the Agency's mission through pursuit of all three goals. The TCP Program Manager is one of ten principal environmental management positions within the Department of Ecology. This position is responsible for the administration and management of a statewide program to clean up contaminated sites, restore economic and/or habitat value at those sites and regulate underground storage tanks in Washington. 
The Program Manager for the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is an Exempt Management Service Band 3 position that reports to Ecology's Deputy Director, and is located at our headquarters building in Lacey, WA. 
We are seeking a motivated and innovative problem-solver who is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, with both strategic and operational experience, to lead and manage our Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP). Our new Program Manager will be a forward facing problem-solver who builds strong partnerships with our various stakeholders and tribal governments in order to achieve environmental clean ups through technical and financial assistance and regulation. 
At Ecology, you'll be a part of a team that is invested in making a difference. We're engineers, environmental scientists, planners, geologists, communication specialists, administrative professionals, and more, all working toward our common goals. We invest in our employees to foster a diverse, well-trained, and friendly workforce operating with excellence and professionalis 
To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
Duties
What will you be doing?
You'll lead and support a team of approximately 205 FTEs. The position has 11 direct reports which includes seven section managers, located in four regional offices and at our Headquarters Building. 
Responsibilities include:
  • Plan, lead, organize, and control the work performed by the Toxics Cleanup Program. Assure appropriate and optimum use of the organization’s resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities. Support effective communications throughout the organization. Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the state’s goals for a diverse workforce.
  • Establish the direction of the Toxics Cleanup Program as authorized by state and federal statute and direct staff to implement accordingly.
  • Represent the agency on complex negotiations with various and diverse stakeholder interests to determine the cost effective and otherwise appropriate approaches to meeting the program's objectives, resolutions of disputes, project specific concerns, and policy issues affecting toxics cleanup and Underground Storage Tank (UST) program implementation.
  • Represent the agency before the legislature on toxics cleanup and UST issues.
  • Direct staff to implement UST regulations, including provisions for financial responsibility at the approximately 9,000 regulated tanks in Washington.
  • Serve as the "gate keeper" for sites that could score high enough to be considered federal Superfund sites. The state maintains the lead role wherever feasible.
  • Establish program/division priorities through an inclusive process involving affected staff throughout the state.
  • Develop biennial strategic plan and budget, including significant participation in development of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) specific appropriations request.
Who are we looking for? 
We're looking for an experienced leader who is ready to team with a large group of dedicated professionals. You'll need to have the ability to:
  • Problem solve and adjust strategies to capture emerging opportunities or unexpected challenges.
  • Have a clear understanding of larger state and federal clean up policies which impact the work and direction of the Toxics Cleanup Program, as well as an ability to translate those larger imperatives into appropriate actions.
  • See and understand the opportunities and challenges of how the work impacts people and what is needed to ensure durable outcomes to restore and protect the environment. 
A Key Member of Ecology's Executive Leadership Team 
It is critical that this important position maintains the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct to support the state's commitment to efficient, effective, and accountable government. 
This is a highly visible role for the cleanup and restoration of the State’s land and water resources that have been impacted by contamination. This position represents Ecology’s cleanup interests to Tribes, environmental justice and advocacy groups, local government, the Legislature, business, industry and agriculture interests. It requires constant use of advanced management principles to address various and often conflicting views of these groups in carrying out national and statewide toxics cleanup requirements. It conceptualizes, initiates, develops and implements strategic components of the state’s cleanup and underground storage tank goals under federal and state law. This position requires the use of effective communication skills to carry out the responsibilities inherent in the position. 
As a key member of our Department's Executive Leadership Team, the successful candidate will:
  • Represent the Director with federal, state, local, tribal and elected officials, the general public, environmental groups, environmental justice advocacy groups and the business community.
  • Develop credibility as a problem solver and a source of land use and water quality information for decision-makers and the public.
  • Make recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team on how to implement programs and develop policies including agency direction for work procedures to ensure responsive service delivery and consistency.
  • Foster a diverse, equitable, inclusive and respectful workplace. 
Why join the team?
This is an opportunity to make an impact! You'll have the opportunity to help solve complex environmental issues, clean-up contaminated sites, work collaboratively, and build an extensive statewide network.
This position is open until filled, with an initial screening date of January 7, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before January 6, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.
Required Qualifications:
 A Bachelor's degree
 AND
Five (5) years of professional level supervisory responsibility, including experience managing supervisors. 
A minimum of Seven (7) years of professional level management experience, including:
  • Providing direction to mid-level managers and supervisors in scientific, engineering and/ or public health fields which included coaching, training, recruitment, evaluation and performance.
  • Providing oversight of a program's diverse functions combining and directing all aspects to meet overall program objectives. 
A minimum of five (5) years of budget management experience. 
A minimum of three (3) years of strategic planning experience (annual or biennial based business plan) including the ability to conceptualize and articulate the future direction of a program. 
A master’s degree in public administration, environmental management or other related fields can be substituted for two (2) years of the professional level management experience listed above. 
Please note: Experience in each of the areas may be gained concurrently.
Why work for Ecology?
Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment and addressing climate change. 
A career in public service allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.
Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details. 
 *See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information 
Supplemental Information
Application Instructions:
Please include the following documents as an attachment to your 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 to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
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 on 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 Heather Bartlett at: Heather.Bartlett@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Heather 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. 
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. 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.