Director of Operations - 44857

TGC Talent; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

TGC Talent is seeking a Director of Operations to lead production at a regulated waste treatment site. You will oversee people, equipment, and processes to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and on-time output.

Expect half time on the floor and half at a desk, coordinating with safety, maintenance, and radiation protection teams. You will mentor supervisors, shape budgets, plan maintenance, and drive continuous improvement in safety and regulatory metrics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with 5+ years of related experience, or 10+ years in hazardous/radiological operations without a degree.
• 2+ years hands-on experience handling radioactive or mixed waste.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders.
• Able to wear a respirator and complete required site trainings (HAZWOPER, radiation worker).

Responsibilities

• Own plant operations end to end, ensuring safe handling of material and regulatory compliance.
• Create and adjust production plans for short- and long-term horizons.
• Collaborate with safety, maintenance, and radiation protection teams to maximize uptime.
• Develop job procedures and work packages based on site conditions.
• Lead labor relations within the collective bargaining framework.
• Mentor front-line supervisors and operators to foster disciplined operations.
• Contribute to annual budget planning for labor, O&M, and maintenance.
• Oversee maintenance planning around production needs.
• Act as operations voice during client visits and audits.
• Track material flow, inventories, and production data; drive CI improvements.

Skills

Hazardous/radiological operations

Waste handling

Regulatory compliance

Leadership/mentorship

Communication

Budget planning

Ability to pass drug test

Education

Bachelor's degree + 5+ years experience

10+ years in hazardous/radiological operations without degree

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

A well-established environmental services organization is looking for a Director of Operations to run production at one of its regulated waste treatment sites. You'll lead the people, equipment, and processes that move material through the plant, with safety, compliance, and on-time output as the measures of success. Expect about half your time on the floor and half at a desk.

The Role

• Own plant operations end to end, making sure material is handled safely, meets regulatory requirements, and moves on schedule
• Create and adjust production plans across every horizon, from daily crew assignments to multi-month project timelines
• Work hand in hand with radiation protection, safety, and maintenance teams to keep equipment running and limit interruptions
• Write job-specific procedures and work packages based on the material involved and site conditions
• Manage labor relations, including working within the terms of a collective bargaining agreement
• Mentor front-line supervisors and operators, building a culture of ownership, good judgment, and disciplined operations
• Help shape the annual budget for labor, operating expenses, and maintenance
• Plan scheduled and unplanned maintenance around production needs
• Act as the operations voice during client visits, agency audits, and facility tours
• Oversee tracking and recordkeeping for incoming and outgoing material, inventories, and production data
• Drive continuous improvement in output, safety performance, and regulatory compliance
• Cover front-line supervision as needed and play a role in emergency planning and response

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree plus 5+ years of related experience, or 10+ years in hazardous and/or radiological operations without a degree
• 2+ years of hands-on experience treating or handling radioactive or mixed waste
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Skill at building trust with employees, management, vendors, regulators, and clients
• Comfort with Excel and Word
• Able to wear a respirator (medical clearance and fit test required) and complete HAZWOPER, radiation worker, and other site training
• Willing to work in industrial and outdoor environments in all conditions, including loud, dusty, and uneven areas
• Able to pass a drug test and meet fitness-for-duty requirements

Bonus Points

• Track record of leading teams and managing projects
• Experience with scheduling or project management tools
• Familiarity with radioactive materials licensing, RCRA, air permitting, and procedure development
• Background in health physics, safety, or industrial hygiene
• Well-rounded knowledge of waste processing, maintenance, and shipping/manifest documentation