Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist 3)

State of Washington; Richland (WA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Ecology seeks a Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist 3) for the Nuclear Waste Program’s Tank Waste Treatment Section in Richland, WA. You will review permit applications and technical documents, interpret regulations, and help shape permit conditions to safeguard health and the environment.

You’ll collaborate with engineers, scientists, and federal partners, conduct field inspections, and support compliance decisions, gaining experience with large industrial

Qualifications

• Regulatory Application – interpret and apply complex regulations to develop defensible regulatory positions.
• Technical Evaluation – analyze technical documents to ensure accuracy of permit decisions.
• Permit Development – develop and clearly communicate permit conditions.
• Research & Data Analysis – conduct research and analysis for major permitting decisions.
• Information Assessment – review and synthesize data to draw defensible regulatory conclusions.
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving – apply analytical reasoning to determine best actions.
• Project Management – plan, organize, and track tasks to keep projects on schedule.

Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate permit documents and provide clear notices of deficiencies or comments.
• Apply state and federal dangerous waste regulations and interpret permit requirements.
• Collaborate with permit leads, DOE, and contractors to develop recommendations and negotiate permit conditions.
• Evaluate environmental and permitting problems using logic and technical knowledge.
• Conduct field inspections and site visits to verify compliance with specs and requirements.
• Participate in meetings with federal partners to explain technical aspects and support negotiations.
• Research and compile information on environmental laws and facility operations to support decisions.

Skills

Regulatory interpretation

Technical evaluation

Permit development

Research & data analysis

Information assessment

Critical thinking & problem-solving

Project management

Education

Environmental science degree

Master’s degree or higher

Job description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist 3) within the Nuclear Waste Program.

Location

• Richland Field Office in Richland, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• Initially, this position requires working in the office five days a week for onboarding and training. After successful completion, a minimum of one in-office day per week is required.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline

• Apply by October 8, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

As a Permit Writer in the Tank Waste Treatment Section of the Nuclear Waste Program, you’ll help ensure safe and compliant cleanup work at the Hanford Nuclear Facility – one of the most complex environmental cleanup sites in the country. In this role, you’ll review and evaluate permit applications, modification packages, and technical documents that support waste treatment, storage, and disposal operations. You’ll provide clear feedback to the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors and help shape permit conditions that protect human health and the environment.

The position offers direct experience working with large industrial treatment facilities, dangerous waste regulations, and real‑world compliance challenges. Collaborating with engineers, scientists, and federal partners, you’ll participate in field inspections and contribute to decisions that guide cleanup progress. This role provides meaningful opportunities to build strong regulatory and technical skills while supporting high-impact environmental work with room for professional growth.

What you will do

• Review and evaluate permit documents, including Permit Change Notices, modification packages, and applications, and provide clear, timely Notices of Deficiencies or comments.
• Apply state and federal dangerous waste regulations and help interpret permit requirements for the Permittee.
• Work with permit leads, U.S. Department of Energy, and contractors to develop recommendations and negotiate permit conditions.
• Evaluate environmental and permitting problems using logic, reasoning, and technical knowledge to assess alternative solutions and approaches.
• Conduct field inspections and site visits for major treatment facilities to verify compliance with engineering specifications, permit conditions, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in meetings with federal partners to provide technical explanations and support the negotiation of permit conditions and compliance expectations.
• Research and compile information on environmental laws, regulations, and facility operations to support permitting decisions.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications

Six (6) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Regulatory Application – Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations to develop defensible regulatory positions and ensure compliance at technically complex facilities.
• Technical Evaluation– Ability to analyze technical documents to ensure technical accuracy of permitting documents and decisions.
• Permit Development – Ability to develop and clearly communicate technical permit conditions to ensure regulatory accuracy and compliance.
• Research & Data Analysis – Ability to conduct research and perform qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform major permitting decisions and compliance evaluations.
• Information Assessment – Ability to review, synthesize, and evaluate information and data to draw logical, defensible conclusions and determine regulatory positions.
• Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving – Ability to apply analytical reasoning to determine regulatory or technical courses of action for complex issues.
• Project Management – Ability to plan and organize work, keep track of tasks and deadlines, run meetings effectively, coordinate with others, and make sure projects stay on schedule.

Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 6 years of experience.
• 5 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 4 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 3 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree or higher.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment

• Must meet U.S. Department of Energy requirements to obtain and maintain a badge for access to the Hanford Site Security Clearance badge.
• Must complete 40-hour HAZWOPER training within six months of appointment and then annual refreshers.

Desired Qualifications

• Regulatory Expertise – Ability to apply knowledge of RCRA and WAC regulations to ensure accurate regulatory interpretations and compliant permitting decisions.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Our Commitment to DEIR

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

Diversity: We celebrate and appreciate diversity; our unique perspectives and abilities enrich us all and lead to innovative approaches and solutions.

Equity: We champion equity, recognizing that each of us need different things to thrive.

Inclusion: We intentionally create and hold space so that we all have meaningful opportunities to participate and contribute to Ecology’s work.

Respect: We treat each other with respect and dignity, acknowledging the inherent worth of our diverse perspectives and lived experiences, even in times of uncertainty and disagreement.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Questions

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Moises Guevara at [e-mail].
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at [e-mail].

About the Nuclear Waste Program

The Nuclear Waste Program enforces regulatory compliance and oversees cleanup at the Hanford Site and other facilities managing nuclear waste statewide. It also promotes public involvement, congressional and federal contact, and interstate activities to enhance nuclear waste management, compliance, and cleanup of the Hanford Site.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following

• Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s)
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Vacation, Sick, and other Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays per year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Long Term Disability & Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Programs
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
• Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commute Trip Reduction Incentive
• Combined Fund Drive
• SmartHealth
• Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining

This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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