Science and Engineering Unit Supervisor (Environmental Engineer 5)

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Richland (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Washington Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Science and Engineering Unit Supervisor (Environmental Engineer 5) in Richland. In this role, you will lead the engineering oversight for one of the nation’s most complex environmental cleanup projects, the Hanford Site.

You will supervise a multidisciplinary team while providing technical oversight and collaborating with organizations like the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

This position offers telework options and requires strong leadership in environmental engineering.

Qualifications

• License as a Professional Engineer in Washington or equivalent.
• Five years experience in environmental engineering.
• Experience in investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering oversight for cleanup efforts.
• Collaborate with partners on engineering issues.
• Plan and oversee the work of the Science and Engineering Unit.

Skills

Environmental engineering

Regulatory expertise

Engineering judgment

Team leadership

Education

Professional Engineer Registration in Washington

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

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 June 15, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may be reviewed only if additional qualified applicants are needed.

Duties

Lead the science and engineering behind one of the nation’s most complex environmental cleanup efforts.

In this role, you will serve as the working supervisor for the Science and Engineering Unit within Ecology’s Nuclear Waste Program, providing senior‑level engineering oversight for the cleanup of the Hanford Site. This position combines licensed engineering practice, regulatory expertise, and people leadership in support of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) cleanup and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permitting for tank farms, waste sites, and groundwater.

You will apply advanced engineering judgment to complex cleanup and permitting issues while supervising a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers. You will work closely with the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, contractors, and internal project managers on engineering issues associated with single‑shell tank waste retrieval and closure, groundwater and soil remediation, and hazardous waste permitting. This role offers a high level of collaboration and technical challenge at the scale and complexity of the Hanford Site, making it an exceptional opportunity for experienced engineers seeking impactful work.

What you will do:

• Collaborate with the U.S. Department of Energy and contractors on engineering issues related to single‑shell tank waste retrieval and closure, CERCLA remedial actions, and RCRA permitting.
• Provide professional engineering review and comment on waste site cover designs, groundwater and soil remediation designs, and supporting technical documents for CERCLA units and tank farms.
• Promote coordinated and consistent remedial approaches between CERCLA and Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) units in alignment with MTCA, CERCLA, and RCRA requirements.
• Plan, assign, and oversee work of the Science and Engineering Unit; coach and mentor staff; and ensure high‑quality, timely technical work products.
• Facilitate resolution of science and engineering issues by integrating staff expertise, regulatory requirements, and practical engineering solutions.
• Work closely with the Cleanup Section Manager and Project Managers, the Lead Hydrogeologist, and the Lead Chemist to ensure work is well planned, resourced, and delivered on schedule.

Qualifications

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

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 years of experience in environmental engineering, which must include at least one year of experience investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites.

NOTE: Individuals who are licensed as professional engineers in another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign country and wish to apply for this position must qualify for licensure in Washington State by comity. Applicants are responsible for reviewing and ensuring they meet Washington's comity requirements before submitting application materials. Licensing requirements can be found on the Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors website.

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.

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.

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.

Supplemental Information

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.

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.

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