Tank System, Operations and Closure Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 4)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) is looking to fill a Tank System, Operations and Closure Coordinator (Environmental Specialist 4) position. This position is located in our Richland Field Office (RFO) in Richland, WA. Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Aging and well beyond their intended lifetime, the single shell tanks at Hanford are considered one of Hanford’s major threats to human health and the environment. In this role, you will be involved in all regulatory aspects of single shell tank operation, tank cleanout, soil remediation, groundwater monitoring and cleanup, and tank farm closure. Your work will contribute significantly to reducing the threats of Hanford to the environment. You will work directly with the project manager for the Tank System Operation and Closure project and gain project management skills directly through experience. You will also work closely with engineers, chemists, hydrogeologists, toxicologists and attorneys, assisting interdisciplinary teams in resolving important issues to ensure a safer environment for human and ecological receptors at, around, and downstream of the Hanford site.  

Agency Mission: Ecology’s mission is to protect, preserve and enhance the environment for current and future generations.   

Program Mission: The Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) mission is to lead the effective and efficient cleanup of the United States Department of Energy’s Hanford Site; to ensure sound management of mixed hazardous wastes in Washington; and to protect the state’s air, water, and land at and adjacent to the Hanford site. 

Our Nuclear Waste Program oversees cleanup at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation near Richland, Washington. The site produced plutonium for military defense between 1943 and 1989, and later served as a storage facility for other radioactive wastes. Today, Hanford is one of the most complex and toxic cleanup sites in the nation. Our role is to regulate cleanup efforts. We also regulate several other mixed waste (which includes both dangerous and radioactive waste) sites in Washington and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Learn what we’re doing to keep dangerous and radioactive cleanup on track, and communities and the environment safe.

Tele-work options for this position: This position will be eligible for up to a 90% tele-work schedule. Applicants with questions about position location options, tele-work, and flexible or compressed schedules are encouraged to reach out to the contact person listed below in “other information.” Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change. 

Application Timeline: This position will remain open until filled; we will review applications on May 21, 2024. In order to be considered, please submit an application on or before May 20, 2024. If your application isn’t received by this date, it may not be considered. The agency reserves the right to make a Hire any time after the initial screening date. 

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 

About the Department of Ecology

Protecting Washington State’s environment for current and future generations is what we do every day at Ecology. We are a culture that is invested in making a difference. Join a team that is highly effective and collaborative, with leadership that embraces the value of people. To learn more, check out our Strategic Plan. 
Ecology cares deeply about employee wellness; we go beyond traditional benefits, proudly offering:

• A healthy life/work balance by offering flexible schedules and telework options for most positions.
• An Infants at Work Program that is based on the long-term health values of infant-parent bonding and breastfeeding newborns.
• Continuous growth and development opportunities. 
• Opportunities to serve your community and make an impact through meaningful work.

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. 

Duties

What makes this role unique?

In this role, you will develop an overview of all aspects of Hanford site operation processes and waste handling through history and currently and use that knowledge to assist in managing and directing interdisciplinary teams in solving complex cleanup and regulatory issues. You will become well acquainted with project management and environmental negotiation, which may guide you to opportunities in project management.

What you will do:

• Coordinate Hanford single shell tank (SST) farm environmental oversight activities for the Nuclear Waste Program while ensuring that tank farm operation and closure activities dovetail with those of interacting units and surrounding areas.
• Maintain schedules and track actions involving US Department of Energy cleanup milestones for the SSTs. 
• Set up meetings, guide teams in project problem solving, integrate work across NWP projects and perform task-specific work for permitting.  
• Lead review teams for complex documents.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Years of required experience indicated below are full-time equivalent years. Full-time equivalent experience means that any experience where working hours were less than 40 hours per week will be prorated in order to meet the equivalency of full-time. We would calculate this by looking at the total hours worked per week, divide this by 40, and then multiply by the total number of months worked. Examples of the proration calculations are:

• 30 hours worked per week for 20 months: (30/40) x 20 months = 15 months full-time equivalent
• 20 hours worked per week for 12 months: (20/40) x 12 months = 6 months full-time equivalent

Experience for both required and desired qualifications can be gained through various combinations of formal professional employment, education, and volunteer experience. See below for how you may qualify.

A total of nine years of experience and/or education as described below:

Experience: in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.

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

See chart below for a list of ways to qualify for this position:

Possible Combinations. College credit hours or degree – as described above. Years of professional level experience – as described above. 

• Combination 1; No college credit hours or degree; 9 years of experience.
• Combination 2; I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits; 8 years of experience.
• Combination 3; I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree); 7 years of experience.
• Combination 4; I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits; 6 years of experience.
• Combination 5; A Bachelor’s Degree; 5 years of experience.
• Combination 6; A Master’s Degree; 3 years of experience.
• Combination 7; A Ph.D.; 2 years of experience.
• OR

  Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3, at the Department of Ecology.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• This position requires passing a U.S. Department of Energy training and test and acquiring a badge for access to the Hanford Site.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• HAZWOPER 40-hour certification is required to perform this work within 6 months of hire. Must be able to meet the physical activity requirements for this certification.

Desired Qualifications:
We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.

• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for closure of permitted facilities (e.g., RCRA or WA state requirements).
• Experience in leading teams for review of complex documents.
• Negotiations skills or experience.

Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool. 

Supplemental Information

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 candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Need an Accommodation in the application and/or screening process or this job announcement in an alternative format?

• Please call: (360) 407-6186 or email: [email protected] and we will be happy to assist.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can reach the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
• If you need assistance applying for this job, please e-mail [email protected]. Please do not send an email to this address to follow-up on the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile’s main page.
• If you are reading this announcement in print format, please enter the following URL to your search engine to apply: https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Jobs-at-Ecology.   

Application Instructions:

It’s in the applicant’s best interest to submit all of the documents listed below. Applications without these documents may be declined.

• A cover letter describing why you are interested in this position.
• A resume outlining your experience and education (if applicable) as it relates to the minimum qualifications of this position.
• A list of three professional references.

Note: References will only be contacted during the final steps of the recruitment process for candidates selected as finalists. References will not be contacted without the candidate’s formal authorization.

Please do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.  
 
For Your Privacy:
When attaching documents to your application (such as Resume, Cover Letter, Transcripts, DD-214, etc.):

• Please be sure to remove private information such as your social security number, date of birth, etc. 
• Do not attach documents that are password-protected, as these documents may not be reviewed and may cause errors within your application when downloaded. 

Additional Application Instructions for Current Ecology Employees:

Please make sure to answer the agency-wide questions regarding permanent status as a classified employee within the Washington General Service or Washington Management Service. Do not forget to select Department of Ecology as a response to question 2, and type your personnel ID number for question 3. If you are not sure of your status or do not know your personnel ID number, please contact Human Resources.

Application Attestation: 

The act of submitting application materials electronically is considered affirmation that the information is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information and any untruthful or misleading answers are cause for rejection of your application or dismissal if employed. 

Other Information:

If you have specific questions about the position, please email Beth Rochette at [email protected] Please do not contact Beth to inquire about the status of your application.
 
To request the full position description: email [email protected]

Why work for Ecology?

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.

Joining Ecology means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State’s environment. A career in public service 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.

To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.   

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. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-6186. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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.