Salary: $70,800.00 – $95,184.00 Annually
Location: Benton County – Richland, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent

The Nuclear Waste Program is looking to fill a Permitting and Facility Transition Unit Supervisor  (Environmental Specialist 5) position. The position will be located in our Richland Field Office (RFO) in Richland, WA. In this role, you will manage and lead a team of environmental specialists that develop permits and review decision documents that will lead to the safe management of radioactive/dangerous waste (mixed wastes) in Washington. You will manage and interact with numerous professionals and stakeholders working to protect the state’s air, water, and land, gain experience with both state and federal environmental regulations, learn what it takes to manage mixed waste safely, and work on one of the largest and most complex cleanup sites in the nation at the Hanford Site. The Nuclear Waste Program’s mission is to lead the effective and efficient cleanup of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hanford Site, ensure sound management of mixed hazardous wastes in Washington, and protect the state’s air, water, and land at and adjacent to the Hanford site. Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people.

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 40% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled, we will review applications on September 11, 2023. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before September 10, 2023. If your application isn’t received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date. 

What makes this role unique?

In this role, you will lead and direct environmental specialists to meet permitting and cleanup deadlines, as well as meet compliance oversight obligations. You will lead the development of RCRA and Waste Water Discharge Permits, to support the effective and efficient cleanup of the Hanford Site.  Your team operates under multiple regulatory disciplines.

• Clean Water Act
• Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA)
• Model Toxics Control Act
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
• Hanford Federal Facilities Agreement and Consent Order (the Tri-Party Agreement or TPA).

What you will do:

• Lead and mentor staff on projects and assignments. 
• Represent the Nuclear Waste Program as an expert in one or more of the disciplines noted above.
• Identify critical or emerging issues and recommend preventative or corrective measures. 
• Review permit applications for technical accuracy, negotiate permit conditions, conduct conflict resolution, and make decisions regarding technical and scientific merit of the proposal.  
• As a senior permit writer, you will maintain historical and institutional data for past permit actions at the Hanford site.
• Manage, plan, organizethe work performed by environmental specialists within the Waste Management Section in coordination with project managers and the section manager.
• Supervise environmental specialists within the Waste Management Section and assure appropriate use of the section’s resources. Enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisal and professional development opportunities.
• Decision-making responsibilities include:
  1. Allocation of environmental specialist resources to meet work project needs and priorities. Assigning staff to individual projects and assuring that adequate staff time is allocated to meet workload.
  2. Staff supervisory responsibilities including performance monitoring and evaluation, approval of leave, mentoring, and recommendation for merit award.

Required qualifications:

Ten (10) years of combined education and experience:
Education: Involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.

Professional-level Experience in: environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.

Experience may include a combination of the following:  

• Leading and overseeing work of permit writers and unit leads.
• Leading and participating in enforcement activities, including representing an employer in public meetings, hearings, and/or settlement negotiations.
• Assist inspectors in the investigations  of environmental complaints, notifications or violations.
• Communicating complex technical or controversial issues with other agencies or the public.
• Participating in the development of project plans and lead implementation project plans.
• Developing, modifying, or renewing water quality or dangerous waste permits.
• Reviewing and developing decision documents on cleanup sites.

 All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position: 

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 4, at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• This position requires passing a U.S. Department of Energy training and test and acquiring a badge for access to the Hanford Site.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• HAZWOPER 40-hour certification is required to perform this work within 6 months of hire.   Must be able to meet the physical activity requirements for this certification. 

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

• Four years of professional experience in dangerous/RCRA/mixed waste permitting.
• Demonstrated ability to perform independent environmental review of Dangerous Waste/RCRA permit applications and permits and CERCLA remedial documents.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively supervise and manage a group of personnel with multiple field disciplines, responsibilities, and strengths. 

Application Instructions:

It’s in the applicant’s best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• 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.
• A list of three professional references.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4172672/permitting-facility-transition-unit-supervisor-environmental-specialist-5