Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility Compliance Expert (Environmental Specialist 5)

Description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility Compliance Expert (Environmental Specialist 5) within the Nuclear Waste Program.

Location:

• Richland Field Office in Richland, 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 two days per week is required in the office. 
• Occasional travel and evening or weekend work may be required to fulfill inspection schedules.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by March 26, 2025
• 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 March 26, 2025, may not be considered.

Duties

This position serves as program expert for the compliance oversight of Hanford tank waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDFs). The facilities include 177 tanks storing 56 million gallons of mixed radioactive/dangerous waste. Each of the 177 tanks includes multiple dangerous waste management units (DWMUs). The treatment facilities include the 242-A Evaporator, the Liquid Effluent Retention Facility with four million-gallon basins, the Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF), the Waste Treatment Plant (WTP, aka Vitrification Plant), and the Tank Side Cesium Removal DWMU.

In this role, you will support the NWP’s permit writers and engineers by recommending permit modifications based on inspection findings. You will coordinate with the NWP’s air engineers regarding emissions from TSDFs that are regulated under the Air Quality Regulations, and with the NWP’s water quality permit lead regarding effluent discharges from the ETF to the State Approved Land Disposal Site. You will also coordinate with the program’s Regulatory Integration Specialist and with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding treatment and disposal of used tank equipment into the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility, a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act landfill.

These TSDFs are nationally significant and receive interest from the Director of Ecology, the Governor’s office, state legislators, Congressional delegations from multiple states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, multiple other U.S Executive branch and Cabinet agencies, public interest groups, and the news media.

What you will do:

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Ten years of experience performing environmental-based work or work related to the essential functions and key activities of the position that includes:

• Developing reports based on observations and evidence.
• Conducting inspections of facilities.

Must also demonstrate competence in the following skill sets:

• Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to perform work tasks.

• Reviewing and understanding information to determine compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Conducting research or data analysis.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 10 years of experience.
• 9 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 8 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 7 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 4 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Ph.D.
• 1 year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4, at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Proof of US Citizenship and a Social Security Number is required by the United State government for entry into the inspected facilities.
• Must meet the U.S. Department of Energy requirements to acquire and maintain a USDOE Badge for the Hanford Site.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must take and pass HAZWOPER training within the first six months of employment, and refreshers annually.

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior experience regulating or working at a hazardous waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) facility.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

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 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 [email protected]
• 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 Edward Holbrook at [email protected]
• 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 [email protected]

About the Nuclear Waste Program

The Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) is responsible for regulating the cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear reservation and regulating treatment, storage, and disposal of radioactive mixed wastes Statewide.

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 (Download PDF reader), 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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