Closure Regulatory Scientist (Mid-Career)
Employer: Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure · Location: Richland, WA · Posting: 41305 · Type: Full-Time · Pay: $90,150-$137,538/yr
Duties
Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C) delivers exceptional performance in safely removing, treating, and disposing of tank waste. H2C leads the nation's largest and most complex radioactive waste cleanup, including closure of the legacy waste tanks at Hanford containing 56 million gallons of radioactive and chemical waste. Joining H2C means becoming part of a team dedicated to creating "The Solution Today for a Better Tomorrow." At H2C, our culture is deeply rooted in our Vision, Mission, Values, and Behaviors, which guide our efforts on the Hanford Site and within our communities. Our vision to tackle the Department of Energy's largest environmental challenge reflects our commitment to leaving a positive legacy for future generations. We strive to deliver exceptional performance in safely removing, treating, and disposing of tank waste. Our values emphasize living safely, acting with integrity, and working collaboratively as a team. We encourage innovation, personal accountability, and continuous improvement, fostering an environment where everyone is empowered to contribute to our mission and celebrate our achievements. By embracing these principles, you will be part of a forward-thinking organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact today and for the future. H2C Closure & Interim Measures (C&IM) performs the regulatory and technical work necessary to achieve tank farm closure. We develop the regulatory documents that support closure and corrective actions under State and Federal regulations for radioactive and hazardous waste management and interim measures that protect the environment from past tank releases. Our work includes soil and groundwater contamination assessments, vadose zone characterization, development of closure plans and RCRA field investigations (RFI)/corrective measures studies (CMS), barrier projects, and coordination with DOE and regulatory agencies. We are expanding our team and seeking an early to mid-career Closure Regulatory Scientist to use their analytical skills to transform complex environmental characterization data into useful information that helps solve closure challenges. The selected candidate will work with and learn from their teammates as they develop algorithms, recognize data trends, and draw conclusions. They will assist in preparation of RCRA corrective action materials, environmental regulatory analyses, and closure planning documents in alignment with multi-year regulatory schedules and milestones, including those related to barrier geophysical and hydrologic monitoring, vadose zone characterization, sampling and analysis plans (SAP), data quality objectives (DQO), RFI/CMS, data quality assessments, and data usability assessments. Candidates should enjoy and have some prior experience with technical and statistical data analysis of geologic, hydrologic, geophysical, analytical, geochemical, and/or risk-based datasets, and must be able to contribute towards data interpretation (causal analysis, trends, etc.) and capture conclusions within technical reports. In addition, they should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and/or abilities: * Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to translate technical findings into clear regulatory or technical reports. * Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, charting, and basic statistical tools; familiarity with other Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint). * Experience with data exploration, cleaning, editing, analysis, visualization, and mining; ability to interpret environmental datasets and identify trends. * Familiarity with regulated environmental programs and documentation (RCRA, CERCLA, or state equivalents). * Familiarity with contaminant fate and transport modeling concepts. * Comfort preparing presentations to communicate technical concepts, project status, or recommendations. Typical work assignments include: * Environmental Data Evaluation – Support review and interpretation of soil, groundwater, and analytical data, including data quality and usability assessments to ensure regulatory defensibility and alignment with SAPs and QA requirements. * Sampling & Field Data Integration – Integrate field sampling results into regulatory reports and decision frameworks consistent with the RFI/CMS process. * Characterization & Investigation Support – Assist with planning, collecting, and interpreting characterization data for RFI/CMS and CERCLA investigations to define the nature and extent of contaminants in the vadose zone and determine the need for corrective actions. * Interim Measures Support – Participate in the planning, evaluation, and implementation of interim measures (e.g., interim surface barriers) to mitigate impacts from infiltration and historical tank waste releases. * Site Closure Planning – Provide technical input to the development of closure plans for Hanford's underground waste storage tanks and ancillary equipment. * Regulatory Document Development – Contribute to the preparation, review, and revision of RCRA corrective action documents (e.g., RFI/CMS work plans, SAPs, DQOs, data reports, closure plans) in accordance with state and federal requirements. * Regulatory Coordination – Support internal and external comment resolution on primary regulatory documents. * Quality & Compliance Assurance – Help ensure all documents meet applicable regulatory, contractual, and quality requirements (TPA, RCRA, CERCLA, Washington Administrative Code, etc.).
Qualifications
Grade 16: Bachelor's degree (BS) in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Geophysics, Geology/Earth Science/Geologic Engineering, Environmental Science / Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering (w/ environmental emphasis), Environmental Policy and-or Management (w/ strong STEM, math physics core), Chemistry / Chemical Engineering or related discipline and two (2) years related experience. Grade 17: Bachelor's degree (BS) in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Geophysics, Geology/Earth Science/Geologic Engineering, Environmental Science / Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering (w/ environmental emphasis), Environmental Policy and-or Management (w/ strong STEM, math physics core), Chemistry / Chemical Engineering or related discipline and four (4) years related experience. - Note the essential duties for this grade level are like that of the previous grade level; however the scope of responsibility is larger, and the expected level of performance is increased. Grade 18: Bachelor's degree (BS) in Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Geophysics, Geology/Earth Science/Geologic Engineering, Environmental Science / Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering (w/ environmental emphasis), Environmental Policy and-or Management (w/ strong STEM, math physics core), Chemistry / Chemical Engineering or related discipline and six (6) years related experience. - Note the essential duties for this grade level are like that of the previous grade level; however the scope of responsibility is significantly larger, and the expected level of performance is greatly increased.
Compensation
In accordance with the company's philosophy on compensation for exempt and salaried non-exempt employees, H2C takes into consideration a variety of factors when determining initial grade and salary to include assigned job scope and responsibility, a candidate's qualifications as compared to internal comparators performing in a similar role, and the external labor market. A salary offer will be made at the appropriate grade level and within the targeted hiring range posted according to these factors. Note a candidate's prior salary history will not be taken into consideration. Hiring Range Minimum: $90,150 Hiring Range Maximum: $137,538 H2C offers a comprehensive benefits package to include medical/dental/vision, short-and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) with employer match, and paid time off. For a full list of benefits please visit https://hmis.hanford.gov/hr/page.cfm/HEWTBenefits Depending on the nature of your employment with H2C, you can expect the following: - A business casual dress work environment: jeans are permissible (restrictions may apply). - Opportunity for work/life balance: a standard 4 x 10 work schedule, allowing more personal time to enjoy life outside of the office (other schedules and/or shift work may be required). Note: employment at H2C involves working in the office or in the field depending on the role.