Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Closure Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Closure Specialist (Environmental Specialist 3) within the Nuclear Waste Program.

Location: 

• Richland Field Office in Richland, WA. 

• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the selected 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 September 13, 2026

• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

In this role, you will perform permit application review, permit development, and compliance assurance for assigned Hanford facilities to achieve compliance with state and federal regulations and cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Facility. You will respond to incidents and deviations for closure activities and implement necessary modifications to the plan to achieve clean closure.

What you will do: 

• Conduct review of documents, reports, and permit applications to determine compliance with applicable state and federal requirements and to determine consistency with guidance, policy, and past precedence.
• Coordinate closure document and report reviews. This ensures we have the appropriate Subject Matter Expert(s) (SME)(s) included for review of documentation and the closure report.
• Coordinate planned and unplanned site visits to ensure compliance to closure plan.
• Oversight of compliance and waste management work at permitted and regulated facilities by supporting compliance inspections, reporting suspected noncompliance to the compliance team and reviewing technical data for consistency with permitting documents and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Coordinate and lead internal and external meetings with Ecology technical staff and the permittees.
• Represent the agency on Hanford cleanup issues through public presentations, technical meetings, interested party meetings, negotiations, and consultations.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

Six years of experience and/or education related to the essential functions and key activities of the position, which includes the following: 

• Critical Thinking - Ability to problem-solve and evaluate complex technical and regulatory information, assess risk and uncertainty, and apply sound judgment when making compliance decisions. 
• Project Management – Ability to plan, coordinate, and track project activities to ensure environmental review, permitting, and compliance tasks are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Workload Management – Ability to organize work, manage competing timelines, and adjust priorities to maintain consistent progress across multiple facilities and project assignments.
• Data Analysis and Regulatory Interpretation - Ability to review, interpret and evaluate environmental data to determine regulatory significance and accuracy.
• Technical Permit Writing- Ability to develop, draft and finalize environmental permits, modifications and regulatory decisions that are clear, accurate, enforceable, and compliant with state and federal environmental regulations. 
• Regulatory Decision Negotiation - Ability to negotiate permitting decisions with regulated entities, public interest groups, and partner agencies.

Education: Involving a major study 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.

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.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

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

• HAZWOPER 40-hour certification is required within the first 6 months to perform this work. Must be able to meet the physical activity requirements for this certification.  Must complete 8-Hour Hazardous Materials Refresher course. 
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and experience with Hanford Site Dangerous Waste/ RCRA permit applications and permits and CERCLA remedial documents. 

• Knowledge of and experience with Hanford Site or other RCRA facilities, especially those that are undergoing or have undergone closure.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

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:

• 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 Joseph Lippold at Joseph.Lippold@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

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 Incentive, 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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