Environmental Scientist, Waste Management (NASA KSC)

Leidos Inc; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 59,150 - 106,925; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellness programs

Paid leave

Retirement plans

Job summary

Leidos Inc is seeking an Environmental Scientist at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The ideal candidate will support NASA by providing waste operations expertise and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Key responsibilities include analyzing environmental problems, coordinating waste disposal, and preparing reports. A Bachelor’s degree in engineering or environmental science, along with eight years of relevant experience, is required.

The position offers a competitive salary, health programs, and other employment benefits.

Qualifications

• 8 years of directly related work experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of waste management regulations.
• Obtain DOT HAZMAT certification within 90 days.
• Obtain RCRA TSDF worker certification within six months.
• Obtain OSHA HAZWOPER certification immediately upon employment.
• Valid driver's license and eligibility for federal clearance.
• Pass Public Trust background investigation and maintain U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Analyze environmental problems using scientific methods to prevent pollution.
• Review federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
• Classify regulatory requirements for solid waste management.
• Coordinate waste materials for disposal and recycling.
• Prepare environmental reports detailing pollution types and causes.

Skills

Mathematical skills

Written and verbal communication

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, or chemistry

Job description

Description

We are seeking an Environmental Scientist to join the NASA Environmental and Medical Contract (NEMCON) located at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. The role supports NASA by providing expertise in waste operations, conducting waste disposal shipments, and supervising post‑emergency spill cleanup activities, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and evaluate environmental problems, using scientific or engineering methods to prevent pollution, develop solutions, and predict future environmental risks.
• Review, evaluate, and interpret federal, state, or local environmental regulations and determine applicability and impact on facility environmental programs.
• Classify and determine regulatory requirements for solid waste generated by KSC, USSF, and other entities, ensuring proper transport, recycling, treatment, or disposal.
• Assist in developing contract requirements for specialized environmental studies, reports, and establishing capabilities for waste recycling/treatment/disposal, contamination investigation, remediation, and innovative technologies.
• Coordinate shipments of waste materials for disposal and recycling, complying with DOT, RCRA, TSCA, and related regulatory requirements.
• Serve as Site Supervisor for post‑emergency spill cleanup activities and first responder responses to waterborne spills of hazardous substances under OSHA HAZWOPER.
• Prepare environmental reports or studies detailing types and causes of pollution and the probability of future environmental problems; develop procedures, handbooks, and internal instructions for compliance objectives.
• Ensure safe operation and proper management of by‑products, including hazardous wastes, including segregation, containerization, handling, and emergency response consistent with company policies and site‑specific instructions.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, chemistry, or a related discipline with eight years of directly related work experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local waste‑management regulations and rules, transportation, and post‑emergency response requirements.
• Obtain DOT HAZMAT employee certification (49 CFR 172 Subpart H) within 90 days and biennially thereafter.
• Obtain RCRA Hazardous Waste/Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDF) worker certification within six months and annually thereafter.
• Obtain OSHA HAZWOPER certification immediately upon employment and annually thereafter.
• Demonstrated mathematical skills and the ability to read, analyze, and understand regulations and technical information; effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Valid driver's license and eligibility for clearance at a federal facility.
• Successfully pass an occupational health physical required to obtain and maintain qualifications for this role.
• Maintain excellent organizational skills and the ability to thrive in a team environment.
• Must be able to pass a Public Trust background investigation and possess U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanency.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Training or experience with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Qualified Stormwater Inspector certification.
• Extensive technical knowledge and subject‑matter expertise in one or more areas of environmental media.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based with occasional irregular hours.
• May require periodic physical exertion (walking on uneven terrain, stooping, lifting up to 50 pounds) while wearing personal protective equipment, outdoors under all weather conditions, and for extended periods.

EEO and 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 status prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $59,150.00 - $106,925.00.

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, health and wellness programs, income protection, paid leave, and retirement plans. More details are available at the company careers web site.