Rulemaking Lead (Environmental Planner 3) (Internal Only)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

49d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Rulemaking Lead (Environmental Planner 3) (Internal Only) within the Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program (HWTR). This non-permanent appointment is expected to last up to 12 months from the appointment date. The duration may change depending on business needs. The position is located at the Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA, and upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station. This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, with a minimum of eight hours per pay period required in the office. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape statewide toxics reduction and dangerous waste management regulations. You will serve as an independent rulemaking project manager responsible for developing, revising, and implementing complex environmental rules that protect Washington’s residents and environment from toxic chemicals and dangerous waste. You will guide multi-disciplinary teams through the rulemaking lifecycle, integrating equity and environmental justice considerations and ensuring compliance with agency policies and federal and state laws and rules. This includes tracking timelines and tasks, clarifying priorities, anticipating obstacles, identifying alternatives, and managing change over a long period. You will lead the recurring revision cycle for the Safer Products Restrictions and Reporting rule (Chapter 173-337 WAC), advancing statewide efforts to reduce toxic threats in consumer products. Your work will include assessing scientific and technical information, consulting with internal and external partners, coordinating with the Safer Products for Washington team, and managing extensive public engagement activities. As a member of the Toxics Awareness and Action (TA&A) section, you will contribute to agency-wide policy development, regulatory interpretation, and strategic initiatives that strengthen environmental and public health protections while supporting transparency, accessibility, and equitable outcomes.

Requirements

Eight (8) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following: Project and Process Management Ability to plan, organize, and manage complex, long-term projects; coordinate contributors; anticipate barriers; and adapt to evolving priorities.
Technical and Regulatory Writing Ability to produce clear, accurate, and well-structured written materials that translate technical or policy input into understandable and actionable content.
Documentation and Compliance Management Ability to organize information, manage required documentation, track procedural requirements, and ensure accuracy and completeness across complex processes.
Outreach, Engagement, and Public Communication Ability to develop communication materials, support public-facing engagement, and clearly present information to diverse audiences in meetings, workshops, and hearings.
Research and Analytical Evaluation Ability to conduct research, assess data, interpret complex information, and contribute analytical insights that inform policy or regulatory decisions.
Training, Guidance, and Collaborative Work Practices Ability to provide guidance, develop instructional materials, work collaboratively in a team environment, take initiative, and support colleagues in shared goals.
Education: in one of these fields or related fields: humanities, business, health and medicine, interdisciplinary studies, public and social services, science-technology-engineering-math, social sciences, land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis.

Nice To Haves

Ability to understand and navigate structured regulatory or policy development processes, including working with laws, rules, procedures, or formal decision-making frameworks.
Ability to interpret, analyze, and communicate environmental requirements, standards, or policies, whether at the federal, state, or local level.
Ability to research, understand, and evaluate information related to environmental health, toxic chemicals, dangerous waste, or similar scientific or public health topics.
Ability to recognize and consider environmental justice, equity impacts, and disparities in environmental or health outcomes when evaluating policies, programs, or technical information.

Responsibilities

Lead rulemaking projects for HWTR by managing timelines, rule packets, filings, analyses, engagement plans, and all documentation associated with developing and adopting environmental regulations.
Serve as the rulemaking lead for the Safer Products Restrictions and Reporting rule, including researching toxics in consumer products, monitoring regulatory developments, and supporting the program’s technical and policy work.
Coordinate and lead multi-disciplinary teams—such as policy experts, chemists, toxicologists, engineers, economists, environmental justice practitioners, communications specialists, and attorneys—to ensure rules are scientifically sound, equitable, and legally defensible.
Develop and implement communication and community engagement strategies that follow accessibility requirements, equity standards, and agency frameworks for outreach, public involvement, and Tribal consultation.
Present regulatory information at workshops, public hearings, and internal and external meetings, explaining complex or controversial issues clearly to diverse audiences.
Manage public comment processes by preparing draft rule language, reviewing and tracking comments, developing written responses, and incorporating feedback to strengthen regulatory clarity and quality.
Conduct research and analysis related to toxic chemicals, dangerous waste, environmental and human health impacts, socioeconomic factors, and regulatory trends to inform rule development and decision-making.
Support broader program regulatory needs by documenting rule issues, developing guidance and interpretive materials, preparing legislative analyses and fiscal notes, and contributing to agency regulatory planning.
Manage records and information according to agency retention standards by maintaining accurate, complete, and well-organized files for all rulemaking activities.
Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal partners, Tribal governments, community and public health advocates, businesses, government agencies, and the public to support inclusive and effective rulemaking outcomes.