Job Description
Description Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen The Department of Ecology is hiring a Program Strategic Planner (Environmental Planner 5) within the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP). 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 at least one day per week is required in the office, with additional days occasionally needed for in-person meetings and activities. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Application Timeline: Apply by May 19, 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 The Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP) is looking for a Program Strategic Planner to direct high-level, program-wide planning efforts, help align our work with agency priorities, and champion performance improvements. In this role, you will collaborate closely with program leadership, other planners, and partners across Ecology to translate broad strategic goals into clear, actionable plans. You will also play a central role in supporting appropriate and effective interactions with Tribal governments, serving as the program’s primary contact for Tribal engagement coordination and supporting staff in their work with Tribal governments. Your work will ensure that TCP's planning efforts reflect strong relationships, sound data, and a forward-looking vision. What you will do: Lead the development and updates of TCP’s two- and five-year Strategic Plans, including identifying priorities, shaping strategies, and creating clear measures of success. Evaluate performance data, including performance measures, regulated customer survey results, and employee engagement feedback, to help improve program effectiveness. Represent the program on agency-wide strategic planning and performance teams, ensuring program perspectives are included and program staff are informed of agency expectations. Work closely with the Program Manager, and program leadership teams to develop program priorities, recommend policy or process changes, and support implementation of strategic initiatives. Partner with the program’s Operations Planner to support continuous improvement efforts, leadership development, and culture-building across the program. Serve as the program’s main contact for Tribal engagement efforts, helping staff follow appropriate protocols and supporting strong, respectful, government-to-government relationships. Guide and support the program’s section planners by providing guidance, promoting consistent planning practices, and helping identify tools or processes that improve program operations. Facilitate leadership team meetings, planning discussions, and small-group working sessions, ensuring productive conversation, clear decisions, and follow-through. Support program leadership with special projects, briefings, meeting materials, communication products, and other assignments as needed. Qualifications For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website. Required Qualifications: Eleven years of experience and/or education as described below: Experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, cultural resources, project management and/or program development, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related experience. Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets: Strategic Planning & Systems Thinking – Ability to analyze complex environmental and organizational systems to develop strategic plans, set long-term priorities, and guide program direction. Intergovernmental & Tribal Coordination – Ability to build and maintain effective, respectful working relationships with Tribal governments and governmental partners to ensure coordinated, culturally appropriate, and legally compliant program implementation. Program & Performance Management – Ability to design and oversee program plans, performance measures, and reporting systems to evaluate effectiveness, track progress, and align activities with agency and program goals. Policy Analysis &