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Cleanup Site Manager (Environmental Engineer 5)

Salary : $98,064.00 - $131,868.00 Annually
Location : Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-TCP2103-06785
Department: Dept. of Ecology
Division: Toxics Cleanup
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Cleanup Site Manager (Environmental Engineer 5)within the
Location:

  • Northwest Region Office in
  • Bellingham Field Office in
  • Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the 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: $8,580 - $11,538 monthly.
Schedule:

  • This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
  • This role requires a minimum of one day per week in the office at the assigned duty station (Northwest Region Office in Shoreline or Bellingham Field Office).
  • In office attendance may be required for meetings such as weekly 1-on-1's with the Supervisor, periodic Unit Meetings, monthly Section Meetings, all Key Project Meetings, and team building events.
  • This role will occasionally require site visits and after hours in-community in-person work as projects require.
  • Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

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

Duties
Join our team as a Cleanup Site Manager and apply your technical expertise to some of the Northwest Region's most complex cleanup projects. In this senior-level role, you will manage a portfolio of contaminated site projects through investigation, design, and remediation. You will be responsible for applying engineering knowledge and sound judgment to ensure the cleanup actions for your projects protect both human health and the environment. You will be accountable for managing the scope and regulatory milestones for multiple complex projects with a high degree of independence. You will also be accountable for evaluating reasonable and necessary costs for projects that receive state remedial action grant funding. This opportunity requires that you proactively collaborate with other experienced engineers, geologists, scientists, and technical specialists to oversee your projects through cleanup to ultimately reach closure. Joining our team provides the opportunity to shape cleanup outcomes, innovate within established frameworks, and contribute to lasting environmental change. If you are ready to take on challenging projects that require both technical depth and strategic thinking, we encourage you to consider joining us.
What you will do:

  • Serve as the principal engineer and project manager for complex cleanup sites to guide a portfolio of projects past investigation, through feasibility studies, into remedial design, and finally through cleanup action implementation.
  • Provide formal engineering oversight to ensure all formal project activities comply with the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), Sediment Management Standards (SMS), Sediment Cleanup User's Manual (SCUM), and other applicable regulations, policies, and guidance documents.
  • Lead Key Site Meetings with Liable Parties to advance formal cleanup projects through MTCA stage-gates.
  • Conduct annual field visits for all assigned sites to observe investigation, monitoring, sampling, pilot testing, full scale remediation, and other cleanup activities; travel is required to complete these visits.
  • Review technical documents such as work plans, environmental assessments, remedial investigation reports, feasibility study reports, models, cleanup action plans, and remedial designs to ensure documents are complete, technically sound, and compliant with regulatory requirements.
  • Prepare clear and explicit directives to liable parties and the public through written communication, including letters, memos, technical reports, bulletins, and fact sheets.
  • Manage project scope, schedule, and data, including organizing electronic and physical records, ensuring required data submittals, and maintaining information in agency systems.
  • Oversee Washington State Remedial Action Grant (RAG) funding for assigned projects by reviewing payment requests progress reports (PRPRs) and approval/denial processes for reasonable and necessary costs.
  • Develop new Agreed Orders, Consent Decrees, and Enforcement Orders in partnership with Attorney General's Office and in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
  • When necessary, develop and manage project support contracts in partnership with a Program Contracts Officer and in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
  • When necessary, provide environmental engineering expertise to colleagues, support review of complex Unit projects, and contribute to activities such as initial investigations, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) reviews, or periodic reviews.

Learn more about what it is like to be an Engineer at the Department of Ecology
Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our
Required Qualifications:

  • 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:
    • Communication and Professional Judgment - Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and directive written and verbal communication that supports sound technical decisions and conveys expectations to others.
    • Collaboration and Coordination - Skill in organizing and coordinating project information and activities with a range of internal and external parties to support progress and resolve complex issues.
    • Project Management - Ability to plan, prioritize, and guide project activities to meet milestones, regulatory requirements, and schedules.
    • Project Financial Skills - Ability to evaluate project costs, review consultant invoices, and understand the financial aspects of environmental engineering tasks.
    • Cleanup Project Implementation - Experience applying environmental laws, rules, and guidance (such as Model Toxics Control Act, Sediment Management Standards, and Sediment Cleanup User's Manual, or similar) to move contaminated sites through cleanup processes and ensure regulatory compliance.
    • Environmental Cleanup Engineering - Ability to evaluate contamination data, assess remedial alternatives, and review technical documents that support the selection and approval of cleanup actions protective of human health and the environment.

NOTE: Requirements for registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington are eight years of professional experience (which may include up to four years of college-level engineering education) and successful completion of sixteen hours of professional licensing exams. Applicants qualifying through the licensing equivalency option must achieve registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington within six months of appointment to this class.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington.
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:
Desired Qualifications:

  • Technical Writing and Communication - Experienced in preparing clear, concise, and technically accurate reports, correspondence, and presentations to support well documented project decisions.
  • Meeting Facilitation and Engagement - Skilled with organizing and leading large project meetings with various groups to ensure discussions remain focused, productive, and result in actionable outcomes.
  • Environmental Sampling and Data Analysis - Experienced in applying mixed media sampling methods, laboratory analytical processes, and environmental data interpretation to ensure accurate evaluation of Site conditions.
  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - Ability to evaluate complex technical information and develop sound, defensible recommendations that support effective cleanup actions and regulatory compliance.

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.
Supplemental Information
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
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.
For detailed application information, please visit our
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 [click to reveal phone number] or
  • 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 Brett Carp at
  • 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

About the Toxics Cleanup Program

The Toxics Cleanup Program's mission is to protect Washington's human health and the environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution and supporting communities and natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.
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: , , *, *, , , & , , , , , , , *Click here for more information
To learn more about Ecology, please visit our , explore , check out our , and connect with us on , , , , or our
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.
#LI-Hybrid
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01

How did you hear about this job?

  • Community Based Organization
  • Community / Technical College
  • Ecology Employee
  • Ecology Recruiter
  • Ecology Jobs Page
  • Facebook
  • Job Board
  • Job Fair
  • LinkedIn
  • Newspaper
  • Other State Agency
  • Other Website
  • Professional Association
  • Twitter
  • University Job Board
  • WorkSource
  • Other

02

If you selected Community Based Organization, Community / Technical College, Job Board, Job Fair, LinkedIn Group, Newspaper, Other State Agency, Other Website, Professional Association, University Job Board, WorkSource, or Other, please share which one.
03

Have you ever worked for the Department of Ecology in any capacity including: Permanent, Non-Permanent, Project, Intern, or Volunteer?

  • Yes
  • No

04

How many years of experience do you have related to the duties of this position? Please include any experience gained through employment, internships, and/or volunteer positions. Note that experience gained from academic coursework, class projects, or other degree requirements is assessed in later questions.

  • One year
  • Two years
  • Three years
  • Four years
  • Five or more years
  • None of the above

05

Are you registered as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington, or another jurisdiction with registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington?

  • Yes
  • No

06

Please list your Professional Engineer license(s) and the state(s) they are from. If you do not have, put N/A.
07

What is your level of education?

  • 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits
  • 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree)
  • 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
  • Ph.D.
  • None of the above

08

If you have college credits or a degree, please list your major(s) or field(s) of study and any degree(s) earned. If you don't have this education, put N/A.
09

Please provide an example of when you prepared a clear, explicit directive via written communication to support a technical or regulatory decision. What was the situation, what communication work product did you use, and how did it help move the project or decision forward? If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
10

Please assess your experience coordinating project information and leading activities with others to support project progress and resolve technical or procedural issues.

  • None - I have no experience coordinating project activities.
  • Foundational - I can coordinate basic activities with guidance.
  • Intermediate - I routinely coordinate project activities and information with multiple parties.
  • Advanced - I manage coordination for complex projects and resolve issues independently.
  • Expert - I regularly lead coordination efforts on highly complex projects and am relied upon to resolve difficult challenges.

11

Please assess your ability to organize, prioritize, and guide projects to achieve milestones on-time and meet regulatory requirements.

  • None - I have no experience managing projects or project activities.
  • Foundational - I have managed basic project tasks with oversight.
  • Intermediate - I manage defined tasks and schedules independently.
  • Advanced - I manage full projects, set priorities, and ensure progress through regulatory or procedural stages.
  • Expert - I lead complex, multi year projects and am relied upon for advanced project planning and troubleshooting.

12

Please assess your experience evaluating reasonable and necessary project costs, reviewing consultant invoices, or assessing the financial aspects of engineering tasks.

  • None - I have not performed project cost evaluation.
  • Foundational - I have assisted with basic cost evaluations.
  • Intermediate - I independently review cost estimates or invoices.
  • Advanced - I ensure cost reasonableness for complex tasks or consultant work.
  • Expert - I lead financial planning for large projects and guide others on cost evaluation and budgeting.

13

Describe a project where you applied environmental regulations, policies, or technical guidance to move a site or project through a required process. What steps did you take and how did your actions support compliance? If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
14

Provide an example of evaluating the nature and extent of contamination using environmental data, assessing feasibility cleanup alternatives, or reviewing a technical document that presents a remediation or engineering decision. What was your role, and what analysis did you perform? If you do not have this experience, enter N/A.
15

Please describe your ability to evaluate environmental data and assess cleanup or engineering alternatives.

  • None - I have not evaluated environmental data or cleanup alternatives.
  • Foundational - I have assisted with basic data review or preliminary evaluations.
  • Intermediate - I independently review environmental data or engineering alternatives.
  • Advanced - I evaluate complex data sets and recommend cleanup actions or designs.
  • Expert - I am relied upon to lead technical evaluations and advise others on cleanup engineering decisions.

16

Please provide additional details to support your responses to questions 9-15 above. The following information is needed: position title(s), specific duties, and periods of employment. Make sure your response specifically addresses the qualifications below. An incomplete answer, including "please see resume" may remove you from further consideration.
• Communication and Professional Judgment - Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and directive written and verbal communication that supports sound technical decisions and conveys expectations to others.
• Collaboration and Coordination - Skill in organizing and coordinating project information and activities with a range of internal and external parties to support progress and resolve complex issues.
• Project Management - Ability to plan, prioritize, and guide project activities to meet milestones, regulatory requirements, and schedules.
• Project Financial Skills - Ability to evaluate project costs, review consultant invoices, and understand the financial aspects of environmental engineering tasks.
• Cleanup Project Implementation - Experience applying environmental laws, rules, and guidance (such as Model Toxics Control Act, Sediment Management Standards, and Sediment Cleanup User's Manual, or similar) to move contaminated sites through cleanup processes and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Environmental Cleanup Engineering - Ability to evaluate contamination data, assess remedial alternatives, and review technical documents that support the selection and approval of cleanup actions protective of human health and the environment.
17

The State of Washington and the Department of Ecology, play a vital role in fostering a Diverse, Equitable, Inclusive, and Respectful (DEIR) workplace and contributing to equitable outcomes for the communities we serve. We view DEIR 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. We believe it is everyone's job to contribute to a DEIR workplace. What experiences have you had working with people whose backgrounds are very different from your own? What impact did those experiences have on how you worked?
18

I understand that Ecology does not use the E-Verify system and is unable to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT).

  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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Cleanup Site Manager (Environmental Engineer 5)

State of Washington
Washington
Full Time
Associate
Bachelor's
USD 98,064.00 - 131,868.00 per year

Published on 09/04/2026

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