The Department of Ecology is hiring an Engineering Consultant & Contracts Officer (Environmental Engineer 3 or 5) within the Toxics Cleanup Program (TCP).

Location Options:

This position can be based at any of the following duty stations:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Central Region Office in Union Gap, WA.
• Eastern Region Office in Spokane, WA.
• Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, WA.
• Southwest Region Office in Lacey, WA.

Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station.

Note: If the selected duty station is the Northwest Region Office in Shoreline, the salary will include an additional 5% premium pay due to its location in King County. Salary range: $7,585 - $11,538 monthly.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by July 16, 2026.
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

• Provide engineering technical expertise and manage Architectural and Engineer and Public Works contracts to comply with applicable law and policy.
• Provide project management to support projects and help maintain appropriate timelines.
• Facilitate the process to secure both Architectural and Engineering and Public Works contracts, including contract development, bid specifications, evaluations and protests, contract awards, construction claims, dispute resolution and contract execution through electronic workflow.
• Manage ongoing contracts, including reimbursement requests, reviewing project progress reports, preparing change orders, and maintaining contract files and records.
• Regularly evaluate contracts and processes for areas of improvement and increased efficiency.
• Perform construction inspections at the site.

Learn more about what it is like to be an Engineer at the Department of Ecology

This position offers an in-training plan and may be filled at the Environmental Engineer 3 or 5 level, depending on your qualifications. If you qualify at the EE3 level and are hired, you will progress through an in-training plan to become an EE5 within a specified time period.

Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Engineer 3 level (In-Training)

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington AND
• Three years of experience in environmental engineering which includes the following:
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills – Ability to communicate complex technical or project information clearly and work effectively with internal staff, contractors, and partners to support coordinated and timely project delivery.
  • Commitment to equity and inclusion – Experience applying inclusive practices and considering diverse perspectives to ensure fair, transparent, and accessible processes in project or procurement work.
  • Contract oversight and vendor performance management – Skilled in overseeing professional service or project-based contracts, monitoring deliverables and schedules, and addressing performance issues to ensure high-quality and compliant outcomes.
  • Leading or coordinating technical projects – Ability to guide project activities from planning through completion, monitor progress, resolve barriers, and align work with organizational goals.
  • Applied environmental or engineering knowledge – Demonstrated competence interpreting and applying environmental, engineering, or technical principles to evaluate designs, plans, recommendations, or project work for effectiveness and compliance.
  • Procurement and competitive selection processes – Skilled in conducting proposal evaluations, facilitating fair and transparent selection processes, and negotiating terms to secure qualified service providers and protect organizational interests.

At the Environmental Engineer 5 level (Goal Class)

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington AND
• Five years of experience in environmental engineering which includes the following:
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills – Ability to communicate complex technical or project information clearly and work effectively with internal staff, contractors, and partners to support coordinated and timely project delivery.
  • Commitment to equity and inclusion – Experience applying inclusive practices and considering diverse perspectives to ensure fair, transparent, and accessible processes in project or procurement work.
  • Contract oversight and vendor performance management – Skilled in overseeing professional service or project-based contracts, monitoring deliverables and schedules, and addressing performance issues to ensure high-quality and compliant outcomes.
  • Leading or coordinating technical projects – Ability to guide project activities from planning through completion, monitor progress, resolve barriers, and align work with organizational goals.
  • Applied environmental or engineering knowledge – Demonstrated competence interpreting and applying environmental, engineering, or technical principles to evaluate designs, plans, recommendations, or project work for effectiveness and compliance.
  • Procurement and competitive selection processes – Skilled in conducting proposal evaluations, facilitating fair and transparent selection processes, and negotiating terms to secure qualified service providers and protect organizational interests.

NOTE: Individuals who are licensed as professional engineers in another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign country and wish to apply for this position must qualify for licensure in Washington State by comity. Applicants are responsible for reviewing and ensuring they meet Washington's comity requirements before submitting application materials. Licensing requirements can be found on the Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors website: How To Get Your Professional Engineer License When Licensed in Another Jurisdiction.

Desired Qualifications:

• Developing and managing complex technical or project-based contracts – Demonstrated experience preparing bid materials, evaluating proposals, and administering multiple concurrent contracts to ensure clear expectations, accountability, and successful project delivery.
• Environmental cleanup regulations and practices – Ability to interpret and apply laws, policies, and technical guidance related to contaminated site cleanup or similar regulatory frameworks to support sound project decisions and compliance.
• Training, advising, or mentoring staff – Skilled in explaining processes, requirements, and best practices to help staff build knowledge, improve consistency, and support organization-wide understanding.
• Working on multidisciplinary environmental or engineering projects – Ability to collaborate with technical specialists, project managers, and stakeholders to integrate scientific, engineering, and regulatory considerations into effective project strategies.
• Evaluating contractor or project performance – Demonstrated ability to assess quality, timeliness, and adherence to expectations to identify lessons learned and support continuous improvement.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

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:

• 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 Laurie Dahmen at Laurie.Dahmen@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 Toxics Cleanup Program

The mission of the Toxics Cleanup Program is to protect Washington’s human health and the environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution and supporting sustainable communities and natural resources for the benefit of future and current generations. This position is located in TCP’s Financial Services Unit (FSU). FSU provides budget and financial management services, cost recovery coordination, contracts and interagency agreement management, Voluntary Cleanup Program operations (VCP), Remedial Action Grant (RAG) Program administration, and engineering services to TCP staff statewide enabling the program to successfully execute its mission to clean up contaminated sites and protect human health and the 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.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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