Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Science and Analysis Section Manager (WMS Band 2) within the Air Quality Program (AQP)

Location:

• Headquarters 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 two days per week is required in the office.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by January 27, 2026
• 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.

Duties

In this role you will be responsible for balancing scientifically complex, high-risk regulatory decisions with intense public, political, and economic scrutiny—while ensuring environmental justice, legal defensibility, and long-term public health protection. You will be making and defending decisions with statewide and multi-decade impacts, often in areas with scientific uncertainty, evolving policy expectations, and strong interest groups, where errors could result in significant legal, financial, or public trust consequences.

What you will do:

Qualifications

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

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Technical Environmental Knowledge-Demonstrated understanding of environmental pollution scientific analysis and processes
• Regulatory and Policy Compliance-Ability to decipher multiple local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding air quality management and administrative procedures requirements
• Environmental Justice (EJ)- Knowledge of EJ frameworks, tools and state laws
• Analytical and Decision-Making Skills-Demonstrated ability to interpret complex environmental and regulatory information to form clear, evidence-based conclusions. Applies structured reasoning to assess risks, identify trends and determine appropriate action.
• Leadership and Service Focus- Ability to guide technical work through strong service orientation by prioritizing environmental justice and transparent decision-making. Ability to foster collaboration through respectful engagement with all invested parties. Consistently work to build and maintain trust to reflect the Air Quality Program and Agency values.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience reviewing and directing complex air toxics evaluations, including engineering, modeling, and toxicological analyses, and overseeing health impact assessments.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical and scientific information to senior leadership, elected officials, regulated entities, Tribes, community groups, media, and the general public.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

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.

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:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• 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.

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:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or careers@ecy.wa.gov
• 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?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Rob Dengel at robert.dengel@ecy.wa.gov
• 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 careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Air Quality Program (AQP)

The Air Quality Program’s mission is to equitably protect and improve air quality for all of Washington. AQP, the Environmental Protection Agency, Tribes, and local clean air agencies maintain a network of air monitoring stations to measure air pollution in Washington. Using continuous monitoring data, we let you know when air pollution reaches unhealthy levels. Based on this near-real-time air quality information, you can change your daily activities to reduce the amount of air pollution you're exposed to. The ambient air monitoring data our employees work with are essential to the Air Quality Program’s efforts to:

• Determine if air quality is meeting federal standards

• Forecast air quality

• Make daily burn decisions and curtailment calls

• Assist with permitting activities

• Evaluate the effectiveness of air pollution control programs

• Evaluate the effects of air pollution on public health

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.

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.