Job Responsibilities/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.
The Closure and Interim Measures (C&IM) organization at H2C performs waste management area closure activities for the Hanford tank farms in accordance with Site-wide integrated closure strategies. The C&IM organization is in search of a Senior-level Regulatory Technical Specialist (Specialist) to support the strategic planning, performance, and reporting of technical evaluations associated with facility closure, interim measures, and correction actions for soil contamination, tank waste residuals, and contaminated equipment in tank farm areas.
The successful candidate will support baseline planning and implementation of vadose zone characterization and corrective actions, serving as a RCRA subject matter expert for tank closures. They will develop strategies for single-shell tank closure, lead and prepare technical and regulatory plans and reports in coordination with DOE and site contractors and ensure stakeholder acceptance. The role also includes providing technical oversight of subcontractor engineering work and preparing requisition documents such as technical specifications and scopes of work. This position serves as a key technical leader within the C&IM organization and supports H2C groups involved in tank-farm closure activities.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Provide technical expertise for vadose zone characterization and corrective action planning, including design and implementation of interim and final remedies.
- Serve as a RCRA subject matter expert for tank closures and support development of closure strategies for waste management areas, tank farms, and ancillary equipment.
- Lead preparation of technical and regulatory plans, reports, and documentation to support DOE and stakeholder acceptance.
- Provide oversight of subcontractor technical, regulatory, and engineering work, including development of technical specifications, scopes of work, and related requisition documents.
- Offer strategic guidance to C&IM staff, project managers, and cost account managers on regulatory closure requirements.
- Interface with DOE, regulators, oversight groups, Hanford contractors, and internal organizations on technical and regulatory issues.
- Contribute to programmatic improvements, reviewing technical reports, procedures, training materials, and other mission support documents.
- Coordinate with engineering design authority on closure-related engineering activities.
- Support the preparation of planning documents for soil characterization in tank farms.
- Evaluate alternative interim and corrective measures for effectiveness, cost efficiency, and ability to reduce program risk.
- Lead or support assessments of contamination, including evaluation of residual waste in ancillary equipment.
- Develop tools and approaches to communicate interim measure and corrective action results to regulators and stakeholders.
- Provide senior consultation to Management on technical feasibility of regulatory actions.
- Apply knowledge of groundwater/soil contaminant sampling, including familiarity with field sampling and analysis plans.
- Mentor junior C&IM technical staff and support their professional development.
- Participate in development of mitigation technologies and strategies for environmental closure and contaminant migration.
- Ensure compliance with H2C policies and procedures and integrate ISMS principles into all activities.
Required Qualifications
Grade 21:
B.S. in a Science or Engineering field (e.g., Civil, Structural, Hydrology, Geology, Chemistry, Geophysics, Environmental, Soil Physics, etc.) or related technical discipline; and a minimum of twelve (12) years directly related professional experience.
Grade 22:
B.S. in a Science or Engineering field (e.g., Civil, Structural, Hydrology, Geology, Chemistry, Geophysics, Environmental, Soil Physics, etc.) or related technical discipline; and a minimum of fourteen (14) years directly related professional experience.
- Note the essential duties for this grade level are like those of the previous grade level, however the scope of responsibility is larger, and the expected level of performance is increased.
Must demonstrate the following minimum experience on the listed activities:
- 12-years' experience: planning, implementing, managing, and overseeing environmental characterization projects to support Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Resource, Conservation, and Recovery Act (RCRA).
- 12-years' experience: Interim regulatory corrective action strategies (example: infiltration barrier systems).
- 10-years' experience: groundwater/soil contaminant sampling including familiarity with development of field sampling and analysis plans.
- 3-years' experience: direct collaborative communication and interface with Department of Energy, regulatory agencies (e.g., Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection Agency, etc.) and stakeholders (e.g. Tribal), including strategic planning, comment/critique resolution, public speaking, and presentation of positions/initiatives/actions.
Desired Qualifications
* Experience with development of technical scope of work statements, review of proposals, and technical evaluations, and review / approval of subcontractor performance.
- A working knowledge of the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (HFFACO) Tri-Party Agreement (TPA) is strongly desired.
- Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to convey ideas and information with peers, management, and stakeholders/regulators.
- Must possess a working knowledge of regulatory requirements for human health and environmental risk assessment associated with a radiological facility.
- Experience with document development in support of DOE Order 435.1 Radioactive Waste Management.
- Knowledgeable and proficient with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and should have prior practical experience applying NEPA principles to environmental project applications, specifically field investigations and closure actions.
- Knowledgeable and proficient with Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) requirements and should have prior experience applying MTCA principles for production of regulatory documents.
- Must be proficient with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) for data analysis, report preparation, and results presentation.
Compensation & Benefits
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: $145,150
Hiring Range Maximum: $214,288
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.
