Field Chemist

Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc.; Tennessee; On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Perma-Fix Environmental Services, Inc. is seeking a Field Chemist to serve as the technical lead for chemical characterization, hazardous waste determinations, transportation compliance, and regulatory oversight.

This role supports the lifecycle of hazardous, mixed, and laboratory chemical disposition activities, working indoors and outdoors at plants, labs, and customer sites. This is not a laboratory-based chemist position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental science, natural science, or related field.
• Previous lab packing experience preferred.
• Understanding of Federal and State Environmental and Transportation regulations (DOT and RCRA).
• Must have valid driver’s license with clean driving record.
• Able to pass a physical exam, drug screen, and background check.
• Willing and able to travel to customer sites.
• Ability to obtain a Class B CDL.
• Currently hold a 40-hour HAZWOPER certification (with 8-hour refresher) or pass course on hire.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and professionalism with customers and team members.
• Ability to pass Respirator fit test certification.
• Ability to regularly lift or move objects weighting 40 lbs or more.

Responsibilities

• Lead chemical characterization activities for laboratory chemicals and unknown materials.
• Verify chemical identities using knowledge, data, and observations.
• Make hazardous waste determinations under RCRA.
• Coordinate with disposal facilities and transportation providers.
• Prepare waste profiles and disposal documentation.
• Review shipping papers, manifests, and Bills of Lading.
• Conduct DOT pre-shipment peer reviews.
• Ensure compliance with DOT, EPA, DOE, and state regulations.
• Safely operate vehicles as required.
• Input data using company software.

Skills

Safety awareness

Regulatory knowledge

Team leadership

Field sampling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field

Tools

CDL Class B

HAZWOPER training

Job description

Description

Non-exempt. The Field Chemist serves as the technical lead responsible for chemical characterization, hazardous waste eterminations, transportation compliance, and regulatory oversight. The Field Chemist provides technical direction to junior staff, serves as the Environmental Subject Matter Expert (SME), and ensures all work complies with applicable DOE, EPA, DOT, OSHA, NRC, and state regulations. This position supports the complete lifecycle of hazardous, mixed, and laboratory chemical disposition activities. This position will work both indoors and outdoors at plants, labs, customer sites and is responsible for assisting with lab packs within customer facilities, household hazardous waste (HHW) collections and laboratory cleanouts. This is NOT a laboratory-based chemist position.

Duties

• Ensure that Health and Safety is the number one priority by complying with all safe work practices, policies, and processes and always acting in a safe manner.
• Lead chemical characterization activities for laboratory chemicals and unknown materials.
• Verify chemical identities using process knowledge, analytical data, and field observations.
• Make hazardous waste determinations under RCRA.
• Evaluate unknown materials and recommend treatment or disposal pathways.
• Direct sampling activities and review analytical results.
• Determine compatibility for bulking and lab packing.
• Prepare or review waste profiles and disposal documentation.
• Review and approve shipping papers, manifests, and Bills of Lading.
• Conduct required DOT pre-shipment peer reviews.
• Verify packaging, marking, labeling, placarding, and container selection.
• Ensure compliance with DOT, EPA, DOE, TSDF Waste Acceptance Criteria, and applicable regulations.
• Coordinate with disposal facilities and transportation providers.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, and waste disposition processes.
• Follow all local, state (provincial) and federal compliance regulations and rules.
• Safely operate vehicles in accordance with U.S. DOT, local, state (provincial) and federal requirements.
• Prepare computer generated packing lists, labels, manifest, and land disposal restriction notifications.
• Collects, segregates, and properly packages waste chemicals for disposal to maximize efficiency and maintain compliance.
• Sample materials and unpack hazardous waste at Perma-Fix owned treatment facilities.
• Input data using company software.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental science, natural science, or related field.
• Previous lab packing experience preferred.
• Understanding of Federal and State Environmental and Transportation regulations. DOT and RCRA experience preferred.
• Must have valid driver’s license with clean driving record.
• Able to pass a physical exam, drug screen, and background check.
• Willing and able to travel to customer sites
• Ability to obtain a Class B CDL
• Currently hold a 40-hour HAZWOPER certification (with 8-hour refresher) or ability to pass course upon hire.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and professionalism when interacting with customers and team members.
• Ability to pass Respirator fit test certification.
• Ability to regularly lift or move object weighting 40lbs or more.