Environmental Scientist, Waste Management (NASA KSC)

Leidos; Alabama; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering and technology firm seeks an Environmental Scientist to support NASA's Environmental and Medical Contract. The role involves evaluating environmental policies, managing waste disposal, and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree in environmental science and eight years of applicable experience. Candidates must also be proficient with Microsoft Office programs and possess strong analytical and communication skills. The position may require working outside and handling unexpected challenges.

Qualifications

• 8 years of related work experience required.
• Must obtain various environmental certifications within specific timelines.
• Ability to read and analyze regulations.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and evaluate environmental problems.
• Responsible for interpreting environmental regulations.
• Evaluate solid wastes to determine regulatory requirements.
• Assist in developing environmental studies and reports.
• Coordinate waste disposal shipments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Knowledge of environmental regulations

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field

Job description

Environmental Scientist – NASA Environmental and Medical Contract (NEMCON)

We are seeking an Environmental Scientist to join the NASA Environmental and Medical Contract (NEMCON) located at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. As a key member of the NEMCON, you will play a valuable part in supporting the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Environmental Scientist will provide support within waste operations, conducting waste disposal shipments, and supervising post-emergency spill cleanup activities. This position ensures KSC and the United States Space Force (USSF) are in compliance with all Federal, State, and local regulations pertaining to waste regulated under, but not limited to, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA).

Must be able to pass a Public Trust background investigation; U.S. Citizenship or U.S. Permanency is required due to length of investigation for non-U.S. persons.

Responsibilities

• Analyzing and evaluating environmental problems by applying scientific knowledge or chemical, civil, mechanical, or other engineering methods to prevent pollution; develop solutions to existing environmental problems and predict the possibility of future environmental pollution.
• Responsible for the review, evaluation, and interpretation of Federal, State, or local environmental regulations and determine the applicability and impact on facility environmental programs and identify compliance requirements.
• Evaluate solid wastes generated by KSC, USSF, and other entities to classify and determine regulatory requirements to properly transport, recycle, treat, and/or dispose of the waste materials.
• Assist in the development of contract requirements necessary to conduct specialized environmental studies, reports, and establish capabilities for waste recycling/treatment/disposal, contamination investigation, remediation, and innovative and alternative environmental technologies.
• Assist in the coordination of shipments of various types of waste materials for disposal and/or recycling in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements (DOT, RCRA, TSCA, etc).
• Functions as Site Supervisor for post-emergency spill cleanup activities and first responder operations level responses to waterborne spills of hazardous substances in accordance with OSHA Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) requirements.
• Prepare environmental reports or studies detailing types and causes of pollution and the probability of future environmental problems. Prepare procedures, handbooks, and internal operating instructions to establish guidelines for meeting general environmental compliance objectives.
• Ensures safe operation and properly manages by-products, which may include hazardous wastes, resulting from workplace activities. Specific responsibilities may include proper waste segregation, containerization, handling, and responding to emergencies in a manner consistent with Company policies/procedures and site‑specific workplace instructions.

Required Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, chemistry, or related scientific discipline with eight years of directly related work experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulations and rules regarding waste management (hazardous waste, universal wastes, polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], asbestos, biomedical, Drug Enforcement Administration [DEA] controlled substances, etc.), transportation (DOT), and emergency response and post‑emergency response cleanup from releases of hazardous substances (OSHA HAZWOPER).
• Obtain DOT HAZMAT employee (49 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 172 Subpart H) within 90 days of employment and biennially thereafter.
• Obtain RCRA Hazardous Waste/Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDF) worker (40 CFR 264.16 and Florida Department of Environmental Protection [FDEP] Operating Permit) within six months of employment and annually thereafter.
• Obtain OSHA HAZWOPER (29 CFR 1910.120 (e) and (p)) immediately upon employment and annually thereafter.
• Mathematical skills and the ability to read, analyze and understand written information including regulations, and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, where the information being communicated includes precise data and terminology, possibly of a confidential nature.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Possess valid driver’s license and be eligible for clearance at a federal facility.
• Successfully pass an occupational health physical to obtain and maintain qualifications and certifications required to perform this work.
• Must possess excellent organizational skills and the ability to thrive in a team atmosphere including the ability to effectively communicate and work with all levels of employees.

Preferred Experience And Skills

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Training/Experience
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Qualified Stormwater Inspector certification
• Extensive technical knowledge and is considered a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in one or more areas of environmental media.

Working Conditions

• Work will mainly be performed in an office setting and occasionally with irregular hours.
• Demands of work assignments may require periodic physical exertion such as walking on uneven terrain, stooping, and possibly lifting up to 50 pounds, sometimes while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), outdoors in all weather conditions and sometimes for an extended period of time.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.