SWRO Response Supervisor (WMS Band 1)

Description

• Southwest Region Office (SWRO) in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected duty station.

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• In-office work averages about 2 days per week. This position also requires extended periods of field work and periodic after-hour/weekend emergency response duty shifts.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

• Apply by November 22, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

In this role, you will manage high-stakes operational, environmental, and public safety responsibilities that you must navigate under intense pressure and constant scrutiny. You will remain available 24/7 and make rapid decisions in hazardous, uncertain, and sometimes unfamiliar conditions. You balance immediate tactical needs with long-term strategic impacts, often weighing environmental tradeoffs and limited resources while protecting public health, Washington’s economy, and the agency’s credibility. You also ensure responder safety in dangerous environments, coordinate across a complex network of response partners, and apply extensive regulatory requirements—all while issuing consistent and defensible enforcement actions.

In this position, you step into a dynamic, mission-driven leadership role at the intersection of emergency response, environmental protection, and public communication. You serve as the State On-Scene Coordinator for major spills, lead multidisciplinary teams, and collaborate closely with federal, state, tribal, local, and private partners. You influence statewide spill response policies, guide critical decisions in real time, and play a key role in maintaining public trust by communicating openly during high-visibility events. Every day, you engage in strategic problem-solving, technical analysis, and meaningful work that protects Washington’s natural resources and economic vitality.

• Manage and lead the regional spill response team, ensuring responders are trained, equipped, evaluated, and capable of safely operating in hazardous environments.
• Plan, organize, and direct spill response operations for oil, hazardous substances, drug labs, and disaster events, maintaining 24/7 readiness.
• Serve as the State On-Scene Coordinator during major spill incidents, representing Washington’s interests and guiding Unified Command decision-making.
• Ensure resolution of spill reports and effective execution of emergency field responses, including coordinating rapid and aggressive actions to minimize environmental and economic impacts.
• Manage enforcement actions by ensuring staff follow policies, conduct investigations, issue penalties and corrective actions, and maintain defensible documentation.
• Monitor and manage the Response Unit budget, prioritize expenditures, and ensure compliance with fiscal policies while planning for variable and unpredictable response costs.
• Develop working partnerships with federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector response partners to ensure well-coordinated and efficient multi-agency response operations.

Qualifications

• 9 years of experience.
• 7 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 5 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 1 year of experience AND a Ph.D.
  
  

• Must comply with internal policies and procedures governing conduct and ethics in the workplace.

• Driver's License: Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license throughout the duration of employment.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Card.

• Critical Position: This position is identified as an Essential Agency Employee and is expected to work during facility closures and natural disasters.

• Medical Surveillance: This position is required to maintain a personal level of fitness necessary to pass a periodic medical surveillance exam, which may include a stress test.

• Passport: A valid Passport and the ability to travel to Canada is required and must be maintained throughout the duration of employment.

• License and Certificate Maintenance: Must notify supervisor immediately if the employee is unable to obtain any of the above required licenses or certifications, or if any of the above are revoked, expired or suspended for any reason.

• Residence: Must live within a 60-minute commute distance of the Southwest Region Office (SWRO) in Lacey, WA.

• Candidates must have the ability to remain on call and reachable by phone/pager 24/7 and be able to travel on short notice. Candidates must be prepared to respond for a minimum of three days with 1-hour notice during work hours and 4-hours' notice during evenings and weekends.

Desired Qualifications:

• Unit Operations & Resource Management - Ability to plan, organize, and oversee unit activities, staffing, and budget resources to maintain 24/7 readiness and meet program goals.
• Experience working in Unified Command with federal, local, and tribal response partners in command or general staff positions.
• Experience under large multi-agency responses operating under area or regional contingency plans.
• Previous staff supervisory experience and experience investigation and enforcement action experience.
• Candidates familiar with Washington state spill response policies and regulations.
• A formal college degree in a natural, physical science, or engineering is preferred
• Working knowledge of Washington state hazardous materials safety regulations
• Experience with spill investigations and enforcement actions

Supplemental Information

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 and select #2 for Recruitment or email 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.

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact David Byers at David.Byers@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

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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-31-165(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 WAC 357-58-175, 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
Parental Leave
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