Permit Writer / Unit Lead (Environmental Specialist 3)
State of Washington, Bay View, MD, United States
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Department of Ecology is hiring a Permit Writer / Unit Lead (Environmental Specialist 3) within the Nuclear Waste Program.
Location
Richland Field Office in Richland, WA.
Must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
Schedule
Eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
May telework most of the work time with occasional in‑person meetings and activities. Fieldwork and occasional travel may be required but will be infrequent.
Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline
Apply by April 6, 2026.
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
Lead permit application reviews and develop permits for assigned facilities within the Facility Transition Project. Interpret and apply state and federal environmental regulations, negotiate permit conditions, and provide oversight that ensures hazardous and mixed waste facilities meet the highest standards of environmental protection.
Collaborate with federal agencies, contractors, technical specialists, and local and regional partners. Navigate the intricate permitting history of Hanford facilities and resolve disagreements between Ecology and permittees. Build expertise in project management, environmental regulations and policies, interagency collaboration, and complex environmental negotiations. Contributions will shape cleanup progress at one of the nation’s most significant environmental sites.
What You Will Do
Conduct technical review of documents, reports, and permit applications for facilities on and off the Hanford Site to determine completeness and regulatory compliance.
Review permit applications for technical accuracy, negotiate permit conditions, conduct conflict resolution, and make decisions on the scientific and regulatory merit of proposed actions.
Provide oversight of compliance and waste management activities at permitted and regulated facilities, including supporting compliance inspections and evaluating technical information.
Represent the agency on Hanford cleanup issues through public presentations, technical and interagency meetings, collaborative discussions, negotiations, and consultations.
Evaluate sampling data, site characterization work, remedial investigations, and feasibility studies for contaminated Hanford sites, and communicate technical recommendations in written reports or verbal briefings.
Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.
Required Qualifications
Six (6) years of experience and/or education as described below.
Experience performing environmental‑based work, OR work related to the duties of the position that includes two or more of the following:
Reviewing technical or regulatory documents, reports, or permit applications.
Developing permit requirements, policies, or organizational decisions.
Negotiating with external clients on permit requirements, policies, or organizational decisions.
Evaluating completeness of sampling data, site characterization efforts, remedial investigations, and feasibility studies.
Representing organizations through public presentations, technical meetings, collaborative group meetings, negotiations, and consultations.
Experience Must Include Demonstrated Competence In The Following Skillsets
Critical Thinking – Ability to problem‑solve and evaluate complex technical and regulatory information, assess risk and uncertainty, and apply sound judgment when making compliance decisions.
Project Coordination and Workload Management – Ability to manage workload through organizing and prioritizing responsibilities based on business and/or regulatory timelines.
Data Analysis and Regulatory Interpretation – Ability to review, interpret and evaluate environmental data to determine regulatory significance and accuracy.
Technical Permit Writing – Ability to develop, draft and finalize environmental permits, modifications and regulatory decisions that are clear, accurate, enforceable and compliant with state and federal environmental regulations.
Regulatory Decision Negotiation – Ability to negotiate permitting decisions with regulated entities, public interest groups, and partner agencies.
Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or closely related field.
Examples Of How To Qualify
6 years of experience.
5 years of experience AND 30–59 semester or 45–89 quarter college credits.
4 years of experience AND 60–89 semester or 90–134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
3 years of experience AND 90–119 semester or 135–179 quarter college credits.
2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
No experience AND a Master’s degree or higher.
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 40‑hour HAZWOPER training within six months of appointment and annual 8‑hour refresher training.
Desired Qualifications
Knowledge of Hanford Site Dangerous Waste / RCRA permit applications and permits and CERCLA remedial documents.
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal‑opportunity employer. We strive to create a workplace 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.
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The Department of Ecology is hiring a Permit Writer / Unit Lead (Environmental Specialist 3) within the Nuclear Waste Program.
Location
Richland Field Office in Richland, WA.
Must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.
Schedule
Eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
May telework most of the work time with occasional in‑person meetings and activities. Fieldwork and occasional travel may be required but will be infrequent.
Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.
Application Timeline
Apply by April 6, 2026.
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
Lead permit application reviews and develop permits for assigned facilities within the Facility Transition Project. Interpret and apply state and federal environmental regulations, negotiate permit conditions, and provide oversight that ensures hazardous and mixed waste facilities meet the highest standards of environmental protection.
Collaborate with federal agencies, contractors, technical specialists, and local and regional partners. Navigate the intricate permitting history of Hanford facilities and resolve disagreements between Ecology and permittees. Build expertise in project management, environmental regulations and policies, interagency collaboration, and complex environmental negotiations. Contributions will shape cleanup progress at one of the nation’s most significant environmental sites.
What You Will Do
Conduct technical review of documents, reports, and permit applications for facilities on and off the Hanford Site to determine completeness and regulatory compliance.
Review permit applications for technical accuracy, negotiate permit conditions, conduct conflict resolution, and make decisions on the scientific and regulatory merit of proposed actions.
Provide oversight of compliance and waste management activities at permitted and regulated facilities, including supporting compliance inspections and evaluating technical information.
Represent the agency on Hanford cleanup issues through public presentations, technical and interagency meetings, collaborative discussions, negotiations, and consultations.
Evaluate sampling data, site characterization work, remedial investigations, and feasibility studies for contaminated Hanford sites, and communicate technical recommendations in written reports or verbal briefings.
Qualifications
For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.
Required Qualifications
Six (6) years of experience and/or education as described below.
Experience performing environmental‑based work, OR work related to the duties of the position that includes two or more of the following:
Reviewing technical or regulatory documents, reports, or permit applications.
Developing permit requirements, policies, or organizational decisions.
Negotiating with external clients on permit requirements, policies, or organizational decisions.
Evaluating completeness of sampling data, site characterization efforts, remedial investigations, and feasibility studies.
Representing organizations through public presentations, technical meetings, collaborative group meetings, negotiations, and consultations.
Experience Must Include Demonstrated Competence In The Following Skillsets
Critical Thinking – Ability to problem‑solve and evaluate complex technical and regulatory information, assess risk and uncertainty, and apply sound judgment when making compliance decisions.
Project Coordination and Workload Management – Ability to manage workload through organizing and prioritizing responsibilities based on business and/or regulatory timelines.
Data Analysis and Regulatory Interpretation – Ability to review, interpret and evaluate environmental data to determine regulatory significance and accuracy.
Technical Permit Writing – Ability to develop, draft and finalize environmental permits, modifications and regulatory decisions that are clear, accurate, enforceable and compliant with state and federal environmental regulations.
Regulatory Decision Negotiation – Ability to negotiate permitting decisions with regulated entities, public interest groups, and partner agencies.
Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning; or closely related field.
Examples Of How To Qualify
6 years of experience.
5 years of experience AND 30–59 semester or 45–89 quarter college credits.
4 years of experience AND 60–89 semester or 90–134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
3 years of experience AND 90–119 semester or 135–179 quarter college credits.
2 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
No experience AND a Master’s degree or higher.
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 40‑hour HAZWOPER training within six months of appointment and annual 8‑hour refresher training.
Desired Qualifications
Knowledge of Hanford Site Dangerous Waste / RCRA permit applications and permits and CERCLA remedial documents.
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal‑opportunity employer. We strive to create a workplace 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr