Science and Engineering Unit Supervisor (Environmental Engineer 5)

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 December 11, 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 the date above may not be considered.

Duties

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. 

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

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 (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.  These requirements can be found at the following website: WA State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors: How To Get Your Professional Engineer License When Licensed in Another Jurisdiction.

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.

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.

How to Apply

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

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.