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SST System Regulatory Lead

Washington State Department of Ecology
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The Department of Ecology's priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are still hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. The majority of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews. 

Protecting Washington State's environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We have a culture that is invested in making a difference. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, Ecology is a good fit.

The Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) is looking to fill a SST System Regulatory Lead
 (Environmental Specialist 4) positions. This position will be located in our Richland Field Office (RFO) in Richland, WA.

The SST System Regulatory Lead position serves as a senior staff environmental specialist for permitting the Hanford Single Shell Tank (SST) system and integration of 200 Area non-tank farm remediation efforts at Hanford. This position leads the teams performing review of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit applications and development/issuance/management of final permits for closure of the SST's to achieve cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Facility in accordance with state and federal regulations and the Hanford Federal Facilities Agreement and Consent Order or Tri-Party Agreement (TPA)

We are looking for applicants who have good communication skills, someone with a permitting or a regulatory background and someone who can work with people of diverse technical backgrounds.

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.

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.


Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
 
Duties

 

Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington's environment, and promote the wise management of our air, land, and water. Ecology's goals are to prevent pollution, clean up pollution and support sustainable communities and natural resources.

The Nuclear Waste Program's (NWP) 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.

Some of the key work activities of the SST System Regulatory Lead position includes:

Technical Reviews and Evaluations:
  • Serves as senior environmental staff for integration of RCRA Corrective Measures with SST Permit and CERCLA activities in the Hanford SST Farms Area. Cleanup actions are also being conducted under CERCLA remedial investigation/feasibility study regulations (40 CFR 300.430) and guidance. This position serves as technical and regulatory review lead for cleanup actions required under the permit and TPA. 
  • Leads the evaluation of technical/regulatory documents (e.g., facility modification and/or operations changes, Closure Plans, Groundwater Monitoring Plans, RCRA Facility Investigation and Corrective Measures Study (RFI/CMS), Work Plans associated with closure and cleanup, and Sampling and Analyses Plans [SAPs]) for scientific accuracy, regulatory requirements, and technical completeness. Documents can cover engineering studies and evaluations; changes in waste constituents, chemical hazards, waste compatibility, and potential interaction; risk and system performance assessments; ecological impacts; cultural impacts; and groundwater and vadose zone impacts including geochemistry, fate and transport of hazardous and radioactive materials.
  • Conducts independent reviews of closure plans and cleanup plans, oversees Department of Energy (outside agency) field investigations, and oversees cleanup of assigned contaminated sites and facilities for compliance under the TPA, MTCA, CERCLA, RCRA, Washington Dangerous Waste Regulations, and other relevant laws and regulations.
Permit and regulatory compliance activities:
  • Leads the NWP teams performing review of the SST permit applications and development/issuance/management of final permits for closure of the SST's to achieve cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Facility in accordance with state and federal regulations and TPA. This effort requires evaluation of regulations for tank systems, groundwater requirements, air requirements, and hazardous waste requirements. 
  • Evaluates documentation for technical implications and approaches needed to meet the requirements.
  •  Develops alternative approaches and coordinate their scientific bases.
  • Oversees compliance with permit requirements.
  • Negotiates cleanup and permit conditions with DOE and its contractor staff, and develops final decision documents for issuance. 
  • Represents the NWP in explaining scientific bases and technical approaches to permit conditions and policies at meetings with the USDOE, its contractors and/or consultants, external interest groups and technical oversight groups.
  • Works with the Tank Waste Storage Project Manager and DST Permit Lead to assure integration of the Single Shell Tank (SST), 242-A Evaporator, and DST permits. 
  • Evaluates cleanup plans, permit applications and TPA documents for completeness, accuracy and compliance with all relevant environmental regulations. 
  • Represents the NWP at meetings with the USDOE, its contractors and/or consultants, external interest groups and technical oversight groups.
  • Reviews permit-related documents for compliance with applicable requirements. 
  • Provides recommendations to management on emerging issues and issues of concern regarding the project assignments. 
  • Works with Headquarters technical staff on issues that are of mutual concern in the state.
 
This recruitment will remain open until filled. The initial screening will be February 16, 2021. In order to be considered for the initial screening, please submit an application on or before February 15, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.

 
Qualifications
 
Required Qualifications:

Any combination of education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND professional-level experience in environmental analysis that totals 9 years.

For example,

A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND five years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis.
  
OR 

A Master's degree in one of the above fields AND three years of professional- level experience in environmental analysis.

OR 

A Ph.D. in one of the above fields AND two years of professional-level experience in environmental analysis.

AND

Demonstrates knowledge of principles and practices of environmental regulations and guidance related to the permitting and oversight of solid and liquid waste management facilities and cleanup sites; laws and regulations governing environmental issues. Demonstrates the ability to evaluate technical environmental data; train and mentor others; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with regulated facilities, public officials and community groups; and write permits and environmental compliance reports.

Desired Qualifications:

We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have the desired experience below. 

Demonstrates ability to perform independent environmental review of RCRA permit applications and permits, and of CERCLA remedial documents.

Note: Having this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
  • Must be able to obtain a Hanford site access badge.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
  • Must be able to work safely in environments where potential exposure to industrial dangerous waste chemicals, dust and noise levels, and low levels of radioactivity might occur.
  • Must be able to wear safety clothing and equipment, up to and including Level C, as defined in the OSHA 40 hour Hazardous Waste Training requirements.
  • Must be able to complete HAZWOPER training and Ecology field safety training within one (1) year of employment.
  • Must complete DOE Radiation Worker 1 work training prior to any field oversight or inspections of radiation controlled areas such as the DST tank farms.

 
Why work for Ecology?

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 the health and financial security of you and your family a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to work/life balance.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following:
 

Student debt and how working for Ecology can help
Employees may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
 
*See the Benefits tab in this announcement for more information



 
Supplemental Information
 
Application Instructions:

  • Please complete the applicant profile when applying for this position. Or, you may paste the text of your resume within the profile's resume text field.
  • A cover letter describing how your experience, skills and abilities meet the required qualifications of this position.
  • A resume outlining your professional experience.
  • Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.
  • Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume," may disqualify you from further consideration.
Important Note: 
When attaching documents to your application (Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):
  • 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. 
.
It is in the candidate's best interest to submit all of the documents listed above. Applications without these documents may be declined.


Department of Ecology employees, please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources at (360) 407-6186.

If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit www.careers.wa.gov to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."


Other Information:
 
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 the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Nina Menard at: nina.menard@ecy.wa.gov. Please do not contact Nina to inquire about the status of your application.

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.

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.
 
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.