Senior Wastewater Permit Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4)

Company: Washington State
Location: Richland
Posted on: May 2, 2021

Job Description:

DescriptionKeeping Washington Clean and EvergreenThe Department of Ecology's priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are still hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. The majority of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.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. If you want to join a team that is highly effective, collaborative, has leadership that embraces the value of people, and believes in the fun factor, Ecology is a good fit.The Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) program is looking to fill a Senior Wastewater Permit Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4) position. This position will be located in our Richland Field Office (RFO) in Richland, WA.The Senior Wastewater Permit Specialistposition leads the permit reviews and oversight of the Hanford water treatment and disposal facilities water permitting application review and permit development. These facilities, include the Treated Effluent Disposal Facility (TEDF), State Approved Land Disposal Site (SALDS), Sewage Lagoon, and the Miscellaneous Wastewater streams permits. This position serves as the lead for the programs contract with the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council to provide oversight of the Columbia Generating Station.We are looking for applicants who are able to:Analyze complex technical and regulatory problems and develop workable solutions consistent with rules and agency policy constraints.Work well with others and have the ability to work well with a diverse set of stakeholders.Pay attention to detail produce quality work.Have a strong work ethic.Use good judgment.Work independently.Manage multiple tasks and effectively prioritize work.Meet deadlines.Learn and stay consistent with other program's (WQ, HWTR, TCP and AQ) procedures and policies.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.To learn more about The Department of Ecology, please visit our website at and follow, like or visit us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impactsDutiesAgency Mission: Ecology's mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment and to promote the wise management of our air, land and water for the benefit of current and future generations.Program Mission: The Nuclear Waste Program's (NWP) mission is to lead the effective and efficient cleanup of the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site, ensure sound management of mixed hazardous wastes in Washington, and protect the state's air, water, and land at and adjacent to the Hanford site.Some of the key work activities of the Senior Wastewater Permit Specialistposition include:Serves as a senior staff environmental specialist. This position leads the water permitting application review and permit development for the Facility Transition Project Hanford Wastewater Treatment facilities, including Treated Effluent Disposal Facility (TEDF), State Approved Land Disposal Site (SALDS), Sewage Lagoon, and the Miscellaneous Wastewater streams, to protect the groundwater and surface water and achieve cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Facility in accordance with state and federal regulations and the Hanford Federal Facilities Agreement and Consent Order (the Tri-Party Agreement or TPA).Acts as a section expert in the application of the state and federal water quality and Dangerous Waste/Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations to the permitting and operation of these facilities. Is responsible for water quality permit compliance. This position also provides support for the dangerous waste permitting application review and development of the Liquid Effluent Retention Facility/Effluent Treatment Facility (LERF/ETF).Serves as NWP lead for the program's contract with the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC). Leads work on other complex permits as assigned.Conducts independent review of water quality and dangerous and mixed waste permit applications and permits and closure plans and cleanup plans, and oversees field investigations and cleanup of assigned contaminated sites and facilities for compliance under the Tri-Party Agreement (TPA), water quality regulations, dangerous waste/RCRA regulations, Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), CERCLA, and other relevant laws and regulations.Evaluates permit applications, cleanup plans and TPA documents for completeness, accuracy and compliance with all relevant environmental regulations.Negotiates permit and cleanup conditions and develops final decision documents for issuance. Represents the NWP at meetings with the USDOE, its contractors and/or consultants, external interest groups and technical oversight groups.Provides environmental regulatory and permitting support to Nuclear Waste Program Project Managers, Specialists and Section Managers on other projects.Reviews documents for compliance with applicable requirements.Provides recommendations to management on emerging issues and issues of concern regarding the project assignments.Provides guidance and leadership to other technical staff.Works with Headquarters technical staff on issues that are of mutual concern in the state.This position will remain open until filled, with an initial screening date of April 6, 2021. In order to be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before April 5, 2021. The agency reserves the right to make an appointment any time after the initial screening date.QualificationsRequired Qualifications:Education involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field.Professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning which includes one (1) year equal to an Environmental Specialist 3 or above or two (2) years equal to an Environmental Specialist 2 or above.Possible Combinations.College credit hours or degree.Years of professional level experience.Combination 1No college credit hours or degree.9 years of experience.Combination 2I have 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter credits.8 years of experience.Combination 3I have 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter credits (AA degree).7 years of experience.Combination 4I have 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter credits.6 years of experience.Combination 5A Bachelor's Degree.5 years of experience.Combination 6A Master's Degree.3 years of experience.Combination 7A Ph.D.2 years of experience.Combination 8A Bachelor's degree or higher.Two years of experience as an Environmental Specialist 3.The experience as an Environmental Specialist 3 can include a combination of the following: 1) investigating and / or resolving complaints involving science or technology content, 2) performing inspections, 3) drafting technical evaluations and reports, 4) develops plans for researching information used for technical projects, regulatory or policy development, 5) plan and facilitate public meetings and hearings, 6) project work requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 7) providing technical assistance for complex scientific content and/ or support for implementing scientific content programs, 8) conducting tests, analyzing and evaluating data, 9) using environmental databases to support technical projects, 10) developing scientific studies and resource management plans, 11) providing environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.The experience as an Environmental Specialist 2can include assisting in any of the following areas: 1) performing field surveys or studies, 2) responding to complaints involving scientific or technical content, 3) preparing public meetings and hearings, 4) assistance with routine inspections or investigations requiring specialized knowledge of industry processes, pollutant sources or natural processes, 5) responding to routine inquires or requests for technical assistance involving scientific content, 6) special projects that are scientific in nature, 7) conducting routine sampling and testing analyses, interprets data, writing reports 8) performing basic sampling data review, 9) maintaining an environmental data base to support technical projects, 10) providing routine environmental technical and administrative assistance to grant/ contract/ loan recipients of environmental protection projects.Desired Qualifications:We highly encourage you to apply even if you do not have some (or all) of the desired experience below.One year of professional experience in wastewater and dangerous/RCRA/mixed waste permitting.Experience with negotiating complex issues.Note: Having some (or all) of this desired experience may make your application more competitive in a highly competitive applicant pool.Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license.This position requires passing a U.S. Department of Energy test and acquiring a badge for access to the Hanford site.HAZWOPER 40-hour certification is required to perform with work. Must be able to meet the physical activity requirements for this certification.Supplemental InformationApplication InstructionsPlease complete the short on-line application, supplemental questions and upload:Your current chronological resume;A cover letter explaining how you fit the requirements of the position;Three professional references with current contact information.Important Note:When attaching documents to your application (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.Please to do NOT include your salary history. Wage/salary depends on qualifications or rules of promotion, if applicable.Please read the supplemental questions carefully and answer completely. Incomplete responses, including "please see resume," may disqualify you from further consideration.It is in the candidate's best interest to submit all of the documents requested above. Applications without these documents may be declined.Department of 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 at (360) 407-6186.If you are reading this announcement in print format, please visit to access the online recruitment system. Click on "Look for Jobs" and select Dept. of Ecology under the "Department" search list. Click "Apply Search."Other InformationIf you need assistance applying for this job, please call Human Resources at (360) 407-6186 or e-mail . Please do not call this number or send an email to this address to follow-up the status of your application. You can view the latest status of your application on your profile's main page.If you have specific questions about the position, please email Stephanie Schleif at: . Please do not contact Stephanie to inquire about the status of your application.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.This position is included in the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) union bargaining unit for the Department of Ecology.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.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.Salary: $54,108.00 - $70,956.00 AnnuallyLocation: Benton County Richland, WAJob Type: Full Time - PermanentDepartment: Dept. of EcologyJob Number: 2021-NWP4543-02432Closing: ContinuousAgency: State of WashingtonAddress: View Job Posting for Agency Information View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504Phone: View Posting for Agency ContactWebsite:

Keywords: Washington State, Richland , Senior Wastewater Permit Specialist (Environmental Specialist 4), Other , Richland, Washington