Treatment, Storage & Disposal Facilities Compliance Inspector (Environmental Specialist 3, 4, or 5)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Treatment, Storage & Disposal Facilities Compliance Inspector (Environmental Specialist 3, 4, or 5) 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.
• In this role you are required to work in the field when conducting field surveys. 
• You may telework most of your office work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by October 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

This role offers excellent opportunities for growth and career development as an In-Training Position. Depending on your experience, you may begin as an Environmental Specialist 3, 4, or 5. If you start at the 3 or 4 level, you will have the chance to advance to the 5 level. In this position, you will play a vital role in helping the Washington Department of Ecology protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Your work will focus on ensuring the safe management of nuclear waste and safeguarding the environment on a statewide scale. As a Nuclear Waste Program expert, you will inspect facilities undergoing closure or requiring post-closure monitoring to help ensure the health and safety of the public.

What you will do:

• Serve as program expert for the Hanford closure/post-closure Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs)

• Provide guidance on leading inspections for the groundwater monitoring requirements that apply during closure and post-closure.

• Develop inspection scope through analysis of the compliance history of each facility, reviewing permit conditions (if final status conditions are in place), and consulting with project and permit staff.

• Conduct the field inspection by holding an in-briefing meeting, moving through the facility, interviewing facility personnel, and reviewing records.

• Develop and prepare final inspection reports following standardized processes.

• Follow up on observations and violations by engaging with permittee representatives until violations are either resolved or recommended for enforcement. If necessary, prepare a Recommendation for Enforcement and support enforcement as directed by management.

Qualifications

This position offers an in-training plan and may be filled at the Environmental Specialist 3, 4, or 5 level, depending on your qualifications. If you qualify at the ES3 or ES4 level and are hired, you will progress through an in-training plan to become an ES5 within a specified time period.

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

Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Specialist 3 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 53, $4,882 - $6,576 monthly

Six (6) Total years of experience and education combined:

Experience: Performing environmentally based work, OR work related to the position, that includes one or more of the following:

• Technical Environmental Experience- understand State or Federal Regulations. 
• Ability to follow policies and objectives.

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

• Ability to apply problem-solving skills and make recommendations or determine the best options.
• Ability to recommend priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to organize and evaluate information or data quality and summarize options.
• Ability to follow established procedures when conducting research and performing analysis.

Education: in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position qualifies.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 6 years of experience.
• 5 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 3 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• A Master’s degree or higher.

At the Environmental Specialist 4 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 59, $5,666 - $7,622 monthly

Nine (9) Total years of experience and education combined:

Experience: Performing environmentally based work, OR work related to the position, that includes one or more of the following:

• Technical Environmental Experience- understand State or Federal Dangerous Waste Regulations. Ability to follow policies and objectives for Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs).
• Project Management - Ability to cooperatively and effectively work with a Team while performing project management work with internal and external partners. 

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

• Demonstrated organization and record management skills.
• Ability to use critical and analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make cooperative decisions or determine a plan of action.
• Ability to cooperatively evaluate information and data to draw conclusions and recommend decisions or actions.
• Ability to cooperatively conduct research and perform analysis of qualitative or quantitative data.

Education: in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position qualifies.

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.

At the Environmental Specialist 5 level (Goal Class) 
Pay Range 63, $6,259 - $8,415 monthly

Ten (10) Total years of experience and education combined:

Experience: Performing environmentally based work, OR work related to the position, that includes one or more of the following:

• Technical Environmental Experience- Reference and apply State or Federal Dangerous Waste Regulations. Ability to follow policies and objectives for Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs).
• Project Management - Ability to perform independent project management work while multitasking and effectively working with internal and external partners. 

Experience must include demonstrated competence in the following skill sets:

• Expert organization and record management skills.
• Ability to use critical and analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to make independent decisions and determine the best course of action.
• Ability to independently evaluate information and data to draw conclusions and recommend decisions or actions.
• Ability to independently conduct research and perform analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data.

Education: in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or an academic discipline related to the duties of the position qualifies.

Examples of how to qualify:

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

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Proof of US Citizenship and a Social Security Number is required by the United State government for entry into the inspected facilities.

• Must meet the U.S. Department of Energy requirements to acquire and maintain a USDOE Badge for the Hanford Site.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. 

• Must take and pass HAZWOPER training within the first six months, and annual 8-hour refresher course. 
  

Desired Qualifications:

Prior experience regulating or working at a hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facility is desirable. 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 ideal 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.

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:

• Resume

For those that are using education to help them qualify please attach a copy of any relevant transcripts.
 

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 Cole Caldwell at Cole.Caldwell@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 enforces regulatory compliance and oversees cleanup at the Hanford Site and other facilities managing nuclear waste statewide. It also promotes public involvement, congressional and federal contact, and interstate activities 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.

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.

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.

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 this recruitment announcement are filled, this recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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