Environmental Restoration Project Manager (Nuclear Waste Program Specialist)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Environmental Restoration Project Manager (Nuclear Waste Program Specialist) 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, approximately one day in a two-week period.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by September 1, 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 the date above may not be considered.

Duties

As a specialized high level technical advisor, you will serve as the Project Manager for the Environmental Restoration Project to ensure that soils and groundwater on the Hanford Site are characterized, evaluated, and remediated in a manner that protects human health and the environment.  You will apply in-depth, detailed knowledge of project management principles, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) regulations, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations, and the State’s dangerous waste and cleanup regulations. In addition, you will monitor reviews of CERCLA, documents that are submitted by the U.S. Department of Energy.  Also, there are several closing dangerous waste management units that are managed within the project.

In this role, you will work in concert with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the primary regulatory agency for CERCLA projects, to ensure effective cleanup of the Hanford site. Additionally, you will interact with the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors, Tribal nations, and various interest groups. You will also develop milestone packages to support the work done under the Hanford Tri-Party Agreement, participate in Tri-Party Agreement project manager dispute resolution, represent the agency to interested parties and Tribal Nations on project issues, represent Ecology at Hanford Advisory Board meetings on project issues, and participate in public involvement events and activities related to the project.

What you will do:

• Plan, lead and organize the work performed by the Environmental Restoration (ER) Project in the Nuclear Waste Program.
• Serve as the designated point of contact for both outside entities and internal organizations for all project issues.
• Ensure CERCLA cleanup documents are reviewed by experts on the ER Project team and reviews are submitted to US Dept of Energy (USDOE) on schedule.
• Represent the Agency to the State of Oregon, Hanford-affected tribal governments, local government, and stakeholder groups.
• Resolve issues with ER Project team experts and USDOE.
• Brief and update Section Manager, Program Manager and Management Team on potential issues.
• Develop milestone packages to drive cleanup of soils and groundwater at the Hanford site.
• Participate in Public Involvement events and activities related to the project.
• Support the RCRA/Dangerous Waste permitting process.

Qualifications

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

Eleven (11) years of experience and/or education as described below: 

• Experience working in one of the natural sciences, engineering, environmental regulation, environmental planning or closely related experience.

• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical or one of the natural sciences, engineering, environment planning or other allied field. 

Examples of how to qualify:

• 11 years of experience.
• 10 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 9 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 8 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• This position requires meeting the U.S. Department of Energy requirements for acquiring a badge for access to the Hanford site within 6 months.
• HAZWOPER 40-hour certification is required to perform with work.  Must be able to meet the physical activity requirements for this certification and obtain it within six months of hire. Then complete the 8-hour refresher course annually. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Project management experience.

• Understanding of agency contracting procedures.

• High-level Nuclear Waste Program State/Federal laws, standards, and procedures applicable to repository licensing.

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.

Our Commitment to DEIR

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.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

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.

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.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

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 careers@ecy.wa.gov
• 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 Beth Rochette at: Beth.Rochette@ecy.wa.gov  
• 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 careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Nuclear Waste Program

The Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) enforces regulatory compliance and cleanup at the Hanford Site and at other facilities managing nuclear waste statewide. It also promotes public involvement, congressional and federal contact, and interstate activities in order to enhance nuclear waste management, compliance, and cleanup of the Hanford Site. 

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.

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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