JOB
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring the Western Operations Section Manager (WMS Band 2) within the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP).
Location:
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Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
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Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
Schedule:
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This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
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A minimum of one day per week is required in the office.
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Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline:
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Apply by May 26, 2026.
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This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after the date above may not be considered.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Join the Washington State Department of Ecology in leading work that protects and enhances the health of our state’s waters. As a strategic leader within the Western Operations Section (WOS), you will guide teams who monitor marine and freshwater environments, assess environmental conditions, and generate the high-quality science that supports pollution control and long-term environmental stewardship.
In this role, you will shape program direction through strategic planning, quality assurance, and effective coordination of scientific work. You’ll steward resources, strengthen team effectiveness, and serve as a key communication link across Ecology programs, regional partners, and external interested parties. This is an opportunity to help advance credible science, support dedicated staff, and contribute to decisions that safeguard Washington’s environment for generations to come.
What you will do:
- Drive strategic leadership by contributing to program-wide planning, decision-making, budgeting, and management team initiatives.
- Lead Section-level strategy by identifying resource needs, shaping priorities, and strengthening communication across teams.
- Represent the Program and champion WOS needs on cross-program and regional management teams, fostering strong, collaborative relationships.
- Manage staff performance, workload, safety, and compliance while promoting a positive, effective, and engaged team environment.
- Oversee WOS operations and budget to ensure high-quality, timely scientific work, clear records management, and achievement of program performance measures.
- Communicate clearly and credibly with diverse audiences, applying strong scientific knowledge, quality assurance principles, and sound judgment to support informed decisions.
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.
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.
How to Apply
Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:
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Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
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Resume
Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. 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?
If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:
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Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or [email protected]
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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?
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For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Stacy Polkowske at [email protected]
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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 [email protected]
Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. The Program mission is to measure, assess, and communicate environmental conditions in Washington State.
This position directs the operation of the Western Operations Section (WOS) within the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) and reports directly to the Program Manager. The section currently houses 3 units that serve multiple functions within the Program. The 3 units include:
- Marine Monitoring Unit
- Modeling and TMDL Unit
- Freshwater Monitoring Unit
This position directly supervises three supervisors and two professional scientists, with a total section size of 43 staff (including temporary staff) in a highly technical, culturally, and scientifically diverse work environment.
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.
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.
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.
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 Incentives, 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.
Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.
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