Department of Ecology WA State

The Department of Ecology is Hiring!

Permit Writer/Unit Lead (Environmental Specialist 3) (In-Training)

$3,392.00 - $4,452.00 Monthly
$40,704.00 - $53,424.00 Annually

The First review of applications will be – August 27, 2015

Keeping Washington Clean and Green!

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 hire a Permit Writer/Unit Lead (Environmental Specialist 3) (In-Training). The position will be located in our office in Richland, WA.

The Permit Writer/Unit Lead position serves as a staff environmental specialist for the Waste Management Section of the Nuclear Waste Program in the Richland office. This position performs permit application review and permit development and compliance assurance for assigned Hanford and Non-Hanford facilities in order to achieve compliance with state and federal regulations and cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Facility.

We are looking for applicants who have a good understanding of regulations, are collaborative, professional and are able to come up with innovative solutions to problems.

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. Maybe you’ve seen some of our recent stories on Twitter,Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecy.wa.gov.

Local efforts... diverse people...statewide impacts

Keeping people and the environment safe from the dangers of mixed radioactive and chemically hazardous waste.

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 Permit Writer/Unit Lead position include: Serving as unit lead/permit writer for assigned Hanford and Non-Hanford facilities. Performing regulatory analysis and environmental regulatory oversight of NWP Hanford and non-Hanford facilities and proposed permit applications and permits, and proposed cleanup actions/remedies. Serving as a project/task lead on specific projects/tasks as assigned. Performing independent environmental review of plans and specifications, site plans, Dangerous Waste/Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permits, water permits, and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) remedial documents and the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (Tri-Party Agreement) documents. Evaluating permit applications, cleanup plans and other regulatory documents for completeness, accuracy and compliance with all relevant environmental regulations. Works with the project manager and the permit coordinator to negotiate permit conditions and develops final decision documents for issuance. Providing regulatory and permit writing support to the review and evaluation of the existing and proposed dangerous waste and water permits and new/proposed permit modifications; negotiates and prepares permits; and reviews recommendations for enforcement actions. Interpreting state Dangerous Waste Requirements, RCRA, Water Quality laws and regulations, Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and CERCLA regulations, agency/program policies, technical guidelines and procedures for environmental control and management of Hanford waste sites and facilities, and other facilities regulated by the Nuclear Waste Program. Performing compliance technical assistance site visits and provides technical support for compliance inspections at assigned Hanford and Non-Hanford facilities. Representing the NWP at meetings with Energy and its contractors, EPA, facility owners and operators and their consultants, other local, state and federal agencies, external interest groups and technical oversight groups. To broaden the candidate pool, we will consider candidates that qualify at the Environmental Specialist 1, 2 and 3 levels. Please read the qualifications section below to learn more about this exciting career growth and in-training opportunity. Please Note: This recruitment is open until filled, with an initial screening scheduled for August 27, 2015. To be considered in the initial screening, please submit your application on or before August 26, 2014. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment at any time after the initial screening date.

Required Qualifications: At the Environmental Specialist 1 Level: Salary Range: 38 – ($2618 - $3392 Monthly) A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field. Experience as an Environmental Technician can include performing technical level activities in support of professional environmental staff in the following areas: 1)Reviewing and processing applications for environmental permits or certification; reviews for accuracy, completeness, and compliance; 2)Responding to general inquiries from the public and other interested parties; explaining and interpreting regulations and procedures; 3)Tracking environmental documents with computer system; evaluating, interpreting, and analyzing data; 4)Assisting professional staff in field work such as sampling, testing, and calibration. 5)Compiling and maintaining environmental information library. At the Environmental Specialist 2 Level: Salary Range: 43 – ($2941 - $3838 Monthly) A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND one year of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning. Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education. OR A Master's degree in one of the above fields. OR One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1. The 1 year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1 can include assisting in any of the following areas:Investigating and/or resolving complaints involving science or technology content; 1)Performing environmental inspections; 2)Drafting scientific technical evaluations and reports; 3)Researching information used for routine scientific projects, and/or regulatory or policy development; 4)Assisting with public meetings and hearings; 5)Project work requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes; 6)Providing technical assistance for scientific content and/or support for implementing scientific content programs; 7)Conducting tests, analyzing and evaluating scientific data; 8)Using environmental databases to support technical projects; 9)Developing scientific studies and resource management plans; 10)Providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/contract/loan recipients of environmental protection projects. At the Environmental Specialist 3 Level: Salary Range: 49 – ($3392 - $4452 Monthly) A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND two years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning. A Master’s degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one year of the required experience. OR A PH.D in one of the above fields. OR One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2, provided that a Bachelor’s degree has been obtained in one of the above fields. The 1 year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2 can include assisting in any of the following areas: 1) performing field surveys or studies, 2) responding to complaints involving scientific or technical content, 3) preparing public meetings and hearings, 4) assistance with routine inspections or investigations requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 5) responding to routine inquires or requests for technical assistance involving scientific content, 6) special projects that are scientific in nature, 7) conducting routine sampling and testing analyses, interprets data, writing reports 8) performing basic sampling data review, 9) maintaining an environmental data base to support technical projects, 10 providing routine environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects. Demonstrates knowledge of principles and practices of environmental regulations and guidance related to the permitting, cleanup 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; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with regulated facilities, public officials and community groups; and write permits and environmental compliance reports. Desired Qualifications: Previous experience in the design and construction of large complex treatment projects, thermal treatment units, off-gas systems or glass production facilities. Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment: This position will require the ability to acquire and maintain a USDOE Site badge for the Hanford Site and a Brown Badge for Accessing the WTP construction site. For immediate consideration, please apply online at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/default.cfm?action=viewJob&jobID=1209697.