Science and Engineering Unit Supervisor (Environmental Engineer 5)
State of Washington
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Job summary
Washington State Department of Ecology is seeking a Science and Engineering Unit Supervisor (Engineering 5) to lead the Nuclear Waste Program’s engineering efforts at Hanford. The role oversees a multidisciplinary team and integrates regulatory expertise with technical leadership.
The position requires a WA Professional Engineer license and at least five years in environmental engineering, including site cleanup experience, with collaboration across DOE, EPA, and contractors.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in environmental engineering, including cleanup of contaminated sites.
- Ability to lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers.
- Strong collaboration with federal and state agencies and contractors.
Responsibilities
- Lead the science and engineering behind complex environmental cleanup efforts.
- Provide senior-level engineering oversight for CERCLA/RCRA activities.
- Coordinate with DOE, EPA, contractors, and project managers to plan and deliver tank waste retrieval, groundwater remediation, and permitting.
Skills
Education
Job description
The Department of Ecology is hiring a
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Science and Engineering Unit Supervisor (Environmental Engineer 5) within the Nuclear Waste Program.
- Richland Field Office in Richland, WA.
- Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
- 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.
- Apply by September 16, 2026
- Applications submitted after the date above may be reviewed only if additional qualified applicants are needed.
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.
- 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.
For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.
- 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, which must include at least one (1) year of experience investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
- For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Beth Rochette at Beth.Rochette@ecy.wa.gov.
- 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 careers@ecy.wa.gov.
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.
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 * Click here for more information. For this position, personal protective equipment will be provided by the program.
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.
This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full‑time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full‑time work (e.g. part‑time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full‑time.
If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not‑for‑profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 non‑overtime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
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