GovernmentJobs.com
Senior Wastewater Permit Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)
GovernmentJobs.com, Richland, Washington, United States, 99352
Senior Wastewater Permit Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Wastewater Permit Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) 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. You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Application Timeline: Apply by August 4, 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 August 4, 2025 may not be considered. As the Senior Wastewater Permit Specialist, you will lead the review of water permitting applications and the development of permits for the Facility Transition Project at the Hanford Site's wastewater treatment facilities. Your work will play a critical role in protecting groundwater and surface water, and in supporting the site's cleanup in accordance with state and federal regulations and the Hanford Federal Facilities Agreement and Consent Order (the Tri-Party Agreement or TPA). In this role, you will be responsible for decision-making related to permit development, issuance, and oversight. Key challenges include resolving disagreements between the Department of Ecology and permittees of the assigned facilities, as well as navigating the complicated permitting history of these facilities and understanding how they fit into the broader Hanford Site cleanup mission. Your work will be essential to protecting the quality of Washington State's groundwater and supporting permitting for the Direct Feed Low Activity Waste project at the Hanford Site, which aims to treat legacy Hanford tank waste. This position offers valuable experience in project management, environmental regulation and policy, interagency coordination, and environmental negotiation. What you will do: Lead the review and development of water permitting applications for the Hanford Site State Waste Discharge Permits. Serve as the section expert on the application of state and federal water quality regulations. Represent the Nuclear Waste Program at meetings with the U.S. Department of Energy, its contractors and/or consultants, external interest groups, and technical oversight groups. Conduct independent review of water quality permit applications and permits. Negotiate permit conditions and develop final decision documents for permit issuance. Collaborate with the multi-media compliance inspector to support water quality permit compliance. Support dangerous waste permitting application review and development for facilities within the Facility Transition project as needed. Required Qualifications: Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below: Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the duties of the position that includes two or more the following: Evaluating technical environmental data. Training and mentoring others. Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with regulated facilities, public officials, and community groups. Writing permits and environmental compliance reports. Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of environmental regulation and guidance related to the permitting and oversight of solid and liquid waste management facilities and cleanup sites. Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets: Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to perform work tasks. Reviewing and understanding information to apply it to the work. Assisting in research or data analysis. Negotiating complex issues. Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental planning; or closely related field. Examples of how to qualify: 9 years of experience. 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits. 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree). 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits. 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree. 3 years of experience AND a Master's degree. 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D. Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Must meet U.S. Department of Energy requirements to acquire and maintain a badge for access to the Hanford Site. Must complete initial 40-hour HAZWOPER training within six months of appointment and annual 8-hour HAZWOPER Refresher training. Desired Qualifications: Experience in wastewater and dangerous/RCRA/mixed waste permitting or compliance. 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.
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Senior Wastewater Permit Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) 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. You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities. Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. Application Timeline: Apply by August 4, 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 August 4, 2025 may not be considered. As the Senior Wastewater Permit Specialist, you will lead the review of water permitting applications and the development of permits for the Facility Transition Project at the Hanford Site's wastewater treatment facilities. Your work will play a critical role in protecting groundwater and surface water, and in supporting the site's cleanup in accordance with state and federal regulations and the Hanford Federal Facilities Agreement and Consent Order (the Tri-Party Agreement or TPA). In this role, you will be responsible for decision-making related to permit development, issuance, and oversight. Key challenges include resolving disagreements between the Department of Ecology and permittees of the assigned facilities, as well as navigating the complicated permitting history of these facilities and understanding how they fit into the broader Hanford Site cleanup mission. Your work will be essential to protecting the quality of Washington State's groundwater and supporting permitting for the Direct Feed Low Activity Waste project at the Hanford Site, which aims to treat legacy Hanford tank waste. This position offers valuable experience in project management, environmental regulation and policy, interagency coordination, and environmental negotiation. What you will do: Lead the review and development of water permitting applications for the Hanford Site State Waste Discharge Permits. Serve as the section expert on the application of state and federal water quality regulations. Represent the Nuclear Waste Program at meetings with the U.S. Department of Energy, its contractors and/or consultants, external interest groups, and technical oversight groups. Conduct independent review of water quality permit applications and permits. Negotiate permit conditions and develop final decision documents for permit issuance. Collaborate with the multi-media compliance inspector to support water quality permit compliance. Support dangerous waste permitting application review and development for facilities within the Facility Transition project as needed. Required Qualifications: Nine (9) years of experience and/or education as described below: Experience performing environmental-based work, OR work related to the duties of the position that includes two or more the following: Evaluating technical environmental data. Training and mentoring others. Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with regulated facilities, public officials, and community groups. Writing permits and environmental compliance reports. Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of environmental regulation and guidance related to the permitting and oversight of solid and liquid waste management facilities and cleanup sites. Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets: Using critical / analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to perform work tasks. Reviewing and understanding information to apply it to the work. Assisting in research or data analysis. Negotiating complex issues. Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental planning; or closely related field. Examples of how to qualify: 9 years of experience. 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits. 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate's degree). 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits. 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor's degree. 3 years of experience AND a Master's degree. 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D. Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Must meet U.S. Department of Energy requirements to acquire and maintain a badge for access to the Hanford Site. Must complete initial 40-hour HAZWOPER training within six months of appointment and annual 8-hour HAZWOPER Refresher training. Desired Qualifications: Experience in wastewater and dangerous/RCRA/mixed waste permitting or compliance. 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.