Waste Specialist

Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 86,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a Specialist in waste management to plan, assist and ensure compliant handling of radioactive, hazardous, chemical, and abatement materials. The role supports generators, develops sampling plans, and ensures DOE, EPA, and laboratory policy compliance.

Responsibilities include waste characterization, regulatory interpretation, and coordination of shipments to TSDFs. A Bachelor's degree in science or engineering and 3–5 years' experience are required, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science or engineering or equivalent experience.
• Three–Five years of experience in waste management and/or transportation.
• Experience managing and shipping hazardous and radioactive waste per CERCLA, RCRA, TSCA, DOT and TSDF criteria.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for accurate characterization of wastes.
• Develop waste sampling plans and interpret results for radiological and hazardous classifications.
• Understand and apply regulations (CERCLA, RCRA, TSCA, DOT, NRC, EPA) and TSDF criteria.
• Know waste management processes and requirements.
• Assist the waste shipper with shipments to TSDFs.
• Write detailed work instructions for processing and packaging.
• Identify waste streams by profile and ensure acceptance criteria are met.
• Ensure packages contain no prohibited items per TSDF requirements.

Skills

Waste management

Radioactive waste

Hazardous waste

DOT classifications

Data interpretation

Microsoft Office

Shipment coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in science or engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Argonne is seeking a Specialist who will work with minimal supervision to plan and assist with radioactive, hazardous, chemical, and abatement materials management, characterization, and packaging. In addition, works with onsite waste generators to ensure they remain compliant with DOE, EPA, and Laboratory policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to generators and projects for accurate and complete characterization of their wastes.
• Develop waste sampling plans, and interpret the analytical results to determine radiological, hazardous and Department of Transportation (DOT) classifications.
• Comprehensive training and understanding of regulations and standards applicable to waste management and transportation (e.g., CERCLA, RCRA, TSCA, DOT, NRC, EPA, TSDF Waste Acceptance Criteria).
• Extensive knowledge of waste management processes and requirements.
• Working knowledge of radioactive and hazardous waste characterization and management.
• Efficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Assisting the waste shipper in conducting shipments to various TSDF’s (EnergySolutions, NNSS, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, etc.).
• Write detailed work instruction documents to help facilitate processing and packaging operations to field personnel.
• Identifies waste streams for segregation by waste profile.
• Ensures Waste Acceptance Criteria requirements are met for various TSDF’s.
• Ensure waste packages contain no prohibited items per waste profile and TSDF requirements.
• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

This job description documents the general nature of work but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities, duties and responsibilities required of job incumbent. Consequently, job incumbent may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract. Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering, or equivalent experience. Three-Five years of experience in the field of waste management and/or transportation. Experience must demonstrate technical competence in managing and shipping hazardous and radioactive waste in compliance with applicable standards and regulations including CERCLA, RCRA, TSCA, DOT and in accordance with common TSDF Waste Acceptance Criteria requirements.

Preferred Requirements

DOT shipper certification Radiation Worker I OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER plus the annual 8-hour refresher

Job Family Professional Technical (PT) Job Profile Waste Management 3 Worker Type Regular Time Type Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $86,299.00 - $134,626.05. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation.

Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment.

Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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