Western Operations Section Manager (WMS Band 2)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Lacey, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Western Operations Section Manager (WMS Band 2) within the Environmental Assessment Program (EAP). This role involves leading teams that monitor marine and freshwater environments, assess environmental conditions, and generate scientific data to support pollution control and environmental stewardship. The position requires strategic leadership in program direction, quality assurance, resource management, and communication with various stakeholders. The goal is to advance credible science, support staff, and contribute to decisions that safeguard Washington's environment.

Requirements

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education in environmental monitoring or scientific investigations.
Leadership and Strategic Direction - Ability to lead teams, set priorities, and make well reasoned decisions that align with program and agency goals.
Clear and Effective Communication - Ability to convey information in a clear, professional way so staff, leadership, and partners understand expectations, decisions, and technical content.
Collaboration and Relationship Building - Ability to build trust and work effectively across teams, programs, and external partners to support shared goals.
Workforce and Performance Management - Ability to set expectations, develop employees, and address performance issues in a fair, consistent, and timely manner.
Operational and Resource Management - Ability to plan work, manage budgets and assets, and apply policies and procedures to ensure smooth, compliant operations.
Equity, Science, and Problem Solving - Ability to apply inclusive and unbiased practices while interpreting scientific and policy information to ensure technical accuracy and identify practical solutions.
Education in a natural or environmental science or related field.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the collective bargaining agreement by and between "The State of Washington" and "Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE)", state civil service system rules, and agency policies concerning personnel development and personnel actions including recruitment, hiring, training, professional development, performance evaluation, and corrective or disciplinary actions.
Knowledge of budget management, including budget planning and tracking, time accounting and employee leave, purchasing and procurement procedures, and negotiating and administering contracts and inter-agency agreements.
Strategic management skills applied to personnel administration; negotiation and mediation skills; tactical planning and operations management; team building; and supervisor mentoring and coaching.
Current knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations as they pertain to environmental protection, including the federal Clean Water Act, state Water Pollution Control Act, and state Model Toxics Control Act.
Advanced management/personnel skills to promote effective and diverse staff recruitment, hiring, mentoring, training and performance.
Ability to communicate, coordinate, and negotiate with employees, managers, clients, governmental agencies, tribes, interested parties, and the public.
Technical expertise in aquatic pollution ecology, specifically in scientific research methods for sample collection, data analysis, and statistical testing.

Responsibilities

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.