Science and Engineering Unit Supervisor (Environmental Engineer 5)

State of Washington; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

Vacation and Sick Leave

11 Paid Holidays per year

Tuition Waiver

Long Term Disability

Life Insurance

Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)

Employee Assistance Program

Commute Trip Reduction Incentives

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Science and Engineering Unit Supervisor to lead a team in addressing complex environmental challenges at a significant cleanup site. This role involves overseeing groundwater monitoring, toxicology, and engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and providing expert guidance on cleanup efforts. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in environmental engineering, project management, and team leadership. Join a mission-driven organization committed to protecting the environment while enjoying a flexible work schedule and a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes work-life balance and professional growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in environmental engineering with site cleanup experience.
• Registered Professional Engineer in Washington or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team evaluating groundwater and toxicology issues.
• Collaborate with federal agencies on waste removal engineering.

Skills

Environmental Engineering

Project Management

Regulatory Compliance

Team Leadership

Technical Report Writing

Education

Professional Engineer Registration

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

Environmental Monitoring Software

Data Analysis Tools

Job description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Science and Engineering Unit Supervisor (Environmental Engineer 5) 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.
• You may telework most of your work time; at least one day in the office per week is encouraged due to the management role.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by May 4, 2025
• This position will remain open until filled. The agency reserves the right to make a hire at any time after application review begins. Applications received after May 4, 2025 may not be considered.

As the working supervisor of the Science and Engineering Unit, you will manage and direct a team of professional staff responsible for providing expert evaluations of groundwater monitoring, toxicology, chemistry, and engineering activities related to the cleanup of soil and groundwater at the Hanford site. Working independently as a licensed environmental engineer, you will provide expertise on Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) cleanup and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permitting. You will play a key role in resolving complex scientific and engineering challenges faced by state regulators involved in the cleanup of tank farms, waste sites, and groundwater at Hanford.

What you will do:

• Collaborate with the U.S. Department of Energy and contractors to address the engineering related to waste removal from the single-shell tank system, CERCLA remedial activities, and RCRA permitting.
• Evaluate and provide comments on waste site cover designs for CERCLA units and tank farms.
• Ensure consistent remedial approaches for CERCLA and Treatment, Storage, and Disposal units.
• Supervise and coach the Science and Engineering Unit staff.
• Facilitate science and engineering issue resolutions through listening, understanding, and representing the Science and Engineering staff and offering innovative solutions to cleanup issues.
• Work closely with the Cleanup Section Project Managers, Lead Hydrogeologist, and Lead Chemist to ensure Science and Engineering Unit work is planned and meets deadlines.

Note: Personal protective equipment will be provided by the program.

Learn more about what it is like to be an Engineer at the Department of Ecology

Required Qualifications:

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington, AND
• Five (5) years of experience in environmental engineering to include at least one (1) year of experience investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must meet U.S. Department of Energy requirements to acquire and maintain a badge for access to the Hanford Site.
• Must complete initial 40-hour HAZWOPER training within six months of appointment and annual 8-hour HAZWOPER Refresher training.
• RadWorker Certification provided by U.S. Department of Energy must be obtained within six months of hire.

NOTE: Individuals who are interested in applying to this position, and believe they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington based on reciprocity, are responsible for ensuring they meet licensing requirements for the State of Washington prior to submitting their application materials.

Desired Qualifications:

• The ability to work constructively with a wide variety of personalities.
• Experience in:
  • Interpreting state and federal regulations.
  • Supervising technical staff.
  • Writing engineering reports and recommendations.
  • Evaluating technical environmental engineering data and computations.
  • Planning, promoting, and administering environmental engineering projects.
  • Dangerous waste permitting and cleanup at a federal facility.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.

Application Process

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 or [e-mail]
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Beth Rochette 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 (NWP) enforces regulatory compliance and cleanup at the Hanford Site and at other facilities managing nuclear waste statewide. It also promotes public involvement, congressional and federal contact, and interstate activities in order to enhance nuclear waste management, compliance, and cleanup of the Hanford Site. This position is in NWP's Cleanup Section.

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 Incentives, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.