About the Department of Ecology

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  A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities.
• A wellness program that offers education, fitness classes, and an agency-wide fondness for outdoor meetings.
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

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.

What makes this role unique?

Communication skills are key in this unique and challenging role. You will interact with Ecology’s Information Governance Manager, Public Records Officer, Records Manager, program and regional Public Disclosure Coordinators, program and regional Records Managers, Regional Management, Ecology staff, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO), and the public.

You will also act as a key point of contact for all public disclosures within the region’s seven counties. This includes frequently communicating both verbally and in writing with Ecology’s regional management and staff for all ten programs within the region as well as the public.

What you will do:
In this position, you will embody the One-Ecology philosophy and provide high-quality customer service to the public and Ecology staff. To do this, you will:

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  Analyze, track, route and verify requests received through the agency’s Public Record Office (PRO). Clarify requests as needed and consult with the AGO, region program management, and staff on appropriate scope of requests and search criteria.
• Provide professional and technical advice to management and staff to complete complex, high volume or multi-program/multi-region public disclosure requests. Develop communication plans for providing information to the region and/or to individual regional programs.
• Independently review all hard copy and electronic records for exemption of information. Consulting with the AGO, and other program/regional Public Disclosure Coordinators when necessary to coordinate and ensure records that cross program/regions are provided consistently.
• Manage requests that require sensitivity or confidentiality or those that may result in litigation. Identify responsive records, as well as applicable exemptions for partial (redaction) or total withholding. Work with the AGO as needed.
• Explain public disclosure laws, policies, and processes to the public and regional staff. Train/assist staff on the proper technique for public disclosure searching as well as ensuring their knowledge of how public disclosure works in the region.
• Prepare records for inspection and supervise onsite file reviews. Manage appointment reviews by setting appointments, notifying front desk of who is expected. Set up review table and explain review/copy process to reviewer. Return files when review is complete.
• Ensure and monitor that the following legal and procedural requirements are complete for each request.
  • 5-day letters.
  • Requests are clarified when necessary.
  • Due dates for providing records are met.
  • Closure letter/notification is sent to the requestor.

Required Qualifications:
Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, educational and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

A total of Six (6) years of experience and/or education as described below:

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  Professional level Experience in forms and/or records management.
• Education: Involving major study in business administration, accounting, industrial engineering, or a related field.

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 candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

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  Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: careers@ecy.wa.gov and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail careers@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.
• If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• Three professional references.

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc.
• Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Terra Petropoulos at Terra.Petropoulos@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Terra to inquire about the status of your application.

To request the full position description: email careers@ecy.wa.gov

Why work for Ecology?

As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment. A career in public service 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.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram 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. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.