Environmental Protection Specialist

Department of Energy Headquarters; Carlsbad (NM); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Energy seeks an Environmental Protection Specialist for the Carlsbad Field Office to manage compliance programs under RCRA and state hazardous waste acts.

You will oversee complex projects across multiple facilities, monitor operations, and enforce corrective actions while interfacing with EPA, NRC, and state agencies.

Qualifications

• Experience in environmental compliance programs and regulatory interpretation.
• Ability to coordinate complex projects across multiple facilities.
• Strong written and oral communication with external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute environmental protection projects to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws.
• Monitor contractor operations and hazardous waste programs through inspections and audits.
• Research and apply evolving environmental policies and provide guidance to mitigate technical issues.
• Represent DOE positions before external regulatory bodies and stakeholders.

Job description

Open: September 23, 2026 — Closes: September 29, 2026

Summary

This position is part of the Office of Environmental Management - Carlsbad Field Office, Department of Energy. As a Environmental Protection Specialist, you will manage the compliance program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and New Mexico Hazardous Waste Act.

Major Duties

As a Environmental Protection Specialist, you will: Plans, coordinates, and executes complex environmental protection and sustainability projects across multiple facilities and sites to ensure operational compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and standards. Monitors and evaluates contractor operations, facility practices, and hazardous waste programs (including RCRA, EPCRA, TSCA, and site permits) through inspections, audits, and reviews to identify violations and enforce corrective actions. Researches, interprets, and applies emerging environmental policies, statutes, and regulatory trends to assess their impact on agency operations, develop policy guidance, and recommend solutions to unusual technical issues. Serves as an authoritative agency expert and project lead for advanced, complex environmental protection initiatives across multiple sites and facilities where established precedents are lacking or inapplicable. Formulates overarching environmental management strategies, long-range program goals, and resource plans to guide Department-wide environmental stewardship and operational priorities. Represents and defends agency environmental policies, positions, and controversial decisions before external regulatory bodies (e.g., EPA, NRC, state agencies), interagency task forces, Congress, and public interest groups with divergent or opposing viewpoints.