Tank System Operation and Closure Project Manager

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Tank System Operation and Closure Project Manager (Nuclear Waste Program Specialist) 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 with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Field visits are occasionally necessary but generally won't exceed one day per month.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by March 9, 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 March 9, 2025 may not be considered.

Duties

In this role, you will make key decisions that shape Ecology’s day-to-day oversight of the Hanford Tank System Operation and Closure Project, providing essential regulatory support for the underground Single Shell Tank system at the Hanford site. You will lead a diverse project team of engineers, hydrogeologists, chemists, toxicologists, and regulatory specialists, working together to evaluate plans, remedial actions, and regulatory solutions for the cleanup of tank farms at Hanford. 

As the Tank System Operation and Closure Project Manager, you will collaborate with personnel from the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Washington State Department of Health, Tribal nations, and other related groups. Drawing on your broad environmental experience, you will gain valuable project management expertise in addressing regulatory and technical challenges while considering multiple perspectives.

What you will do:

• Oversee the ongoing transfer of single-shell tank (SST) waste into double-shell tanks.
• Collaborate with U.S. Department of Energy personnel and contractors to implement the requirements of the agreed order for leaking tanks.
• Maintain Tri-Party Agreement (TPA) and milestone responsibility and revision as necessary for SST milestones.
• Ensure effective project management of the Tank System Operation and Closure team in alignment with TPA expectations.
• Facilitate tank farm closures by fostering strong working relationships with Ecology staff, management, and U.S. Department of Energy personnel and contractors.
• Manage permit modifications for the SST unit chapter of the Hanford Site-Wide permit.
• Ensure comprehensive Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Facility Investigation Reports, Corrective Measures Studies, and performance assessments for the SST waste management areas.

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

Qualifications

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

Required Qualifications:

Eleven (11) years of experience and/or education as described below:

• Experience in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; engineering; environmental regulation; environmental planning; or other allied field. 
• Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental planning; or other allied field. 

Examples of how to qualify:

• 11 years of experience.
• 10 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 9 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 8 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 4 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Additional Requirements:

Knowledge of: 

• Principles, practices, and methods of environmental or resource management and environmental pollution prevention and pollution control.
• Application of emerging technologies to existing methods and of techniques of environmental sampling, testing, data gathering, basic research, and field investigations.
• Applicable state, federal, and local environmental regulations and policies.
• Multimedia environmental principles and practices.

Ability to: 

• Provide technical direction to professional staff for complex or controversial studies or projects.
• Design and develop guidelines for enforcement activities, field studies, and siting surveys.
• Provide final review for technical reports, permit evaluations, and conclusions reached by professional staff.
• Work and communicate effectively with other government officials, the regulated community, and other clientele groups on complex or controversial environmental issues or problems.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to obtain a U.S. Department of Energy Hanford Site access badge within six months of hire.
• HAZWOPER 40-hour certification is required. Must be able to meet the physical activity requirements for this certification and obtain it within six months of hire.

Desired Qualifications:

• Project management experience.
• Knowledge of agency contracting procedures and high-level nuclear waste program State and Federal laws, standards, and procedures applicable to repository licensing.

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.

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.

Application Process

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.

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

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.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

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 careers@ecy.wa.gov
• 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 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

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.

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.

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 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 (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information. For this position, personal protective equipment will be provided by the program.

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

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.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.  

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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