Title Scientist

Position Number 39051

Company WA River Protection Solutions

City/State Richland, WA

Location Richland, WA

Posted 05/13/2024

Closes 06/03/2024

Regular/Temporary Regular

Full/Part-Time Full-Time

Job Responsibilities/Duties

The Closure and Interim Measures group (C&IM) is focused on providing characterization, regulatory documentation, and technical analysis required to support eventual closure of tank farm facilities and to protect the health of the public and the environment. In support of tank farm closure related activities, C&IM staff are deeply involved in the Tank Farm Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program that entails collection of field characterization data, laboratory analyses, technical analyses, and risk assessments to assess impacts to the vadose zone and the environment from past tank leaks and releases and implementation of interim measures that will reduce the threat from contaminants released from tank farms until permanent solutions can be found.

As a Scientist in C&IM reporting to the group manager, you will grow your professional career in a highly integrated organization where your will interact with many WRPS functional groups as well as provide technical consulting support to the Department of Energy (DOE), the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology), other regulators and various stakeholders interested in Hanford Site Closure activities.

The successful candidate will provide technical support to C&IM personnel, technical leads, and managers on a variety of closure and interim measures-based work scopes. Responsibilities to include:

• Lead the preparation of baseline planning documents for soil characterization at contaminated sites within the Hanford tank farms.

• Lead the evaluation of environmental sample data to determine the nature and extent of soil contamination and development of data quality objectives and work plans to characterize soils in tank farms.

• Lead or support tank farm interim measures and facility closure designs.

• Lead or support the evaluation of residual wastes in ancillary equipment in tank farm areas.

• Evaluate and develop interim measures, corrective measures, and closure technologies for their potential to cost effectively advance the tank farms closure mission and reduce program risks.

• Develop and implement tools to communicate interim measures and corrective action results to regulators and stakeholders.

• Present technical information about closure and interim measures activities to staff, DOE, Ecology, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRC), tribal nations, stakeholders, and the public.

• Prepare solicitation documents (e.g. Statements of Work, specifications, etc.) and requisition planning documents for sub-contractors.

• Lead and mentor the professional development of junior C&IM staff.

• Lead development of documentation (e.g., work packages) to guide field activities while ensuring regulatory requirements in work plans and sampling plans are achieved.

• Support coordination with field personnel and regulatory leads on technical and schedule issues.

• Provide technical and scheduling input to the planning and execution of work scope.

• Lead the tracking of implementation schedule and the communication of status and issues of C&IM activities with DOE and regulator personnel.

• Lead on interfaces with field, database, and data validation personnel to ensure that data is of appropriate quality to support regulatory decisions.

• Lead preparation of regulatory and-or technical documentation to meet HFFACO requirements, conduct document research as required, support document reviews, and provide support for meetings among WRPS, DOE, Ecology, and/or stakeholder staff.

• Identify and resolve complex technical issues, including development of concrete plans for implementing the solution.

• Analyze situations, assess causes, ascertain the best course of action, and document recommendations.

• Integrate and collaborate with other technical organizations including sub-contractors, national labs, DOE, Ecology, and site contractor's staff to meet assigned work scope

• Comply with WRPS policies and procedures.

• Ensure ISMS Principles are incorporated into organization's activities.

The candidate may help to support and-or develop technical studies (e.g., post-closure performance assessments (PA), DOE waste incidental to reprocessing (WIR) evaluations, RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI), Corrective Measure Studies (CMS, feasibility studies, remedial investigation, etc.), closure plans for contaminated sites and buildings/structures and technical reports.

Required Qualifications

Grade 19:

Bachelor's Degree (BS) in Earth Science field (e.g., Hydrology, Geology, Chemistry, Geophysics, Soil Physics, etc.), Engineering (e.g., Environmental, Geological, Chemical, Civil, Geophysical, etc.) or related scientific discipline;

Nine (9) years' directly related experience.

Grade 20:

Bachelor's Degree (BS) in Earth Science field (e.g., Hydrology, Geology, Chemistry, Geophysics, Soil Physics, etc.), Engineering (e.g., Environmental, Geological, Chemical, Civil, Geophysical, etc.) or related scientific discipline;

Ten (10) years' directly 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 21:

Bachelor's Degree (BS) in Earth Science field (e.g., Hydrology, Geology, Chemistry, Geophysics, Soil Physics, etc.), Engineering (e.g., Environmental, Geological, Chemical, Civil, Geophysical, etc.) or related scientific discipline;

Twelve (12) years' directly 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.

Desired Qualifications

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential to convey ideas and information with peers, management, stakeholders, regulators, and other support organizations.

Working knowledge of geology/hydrogeology to support subsurface characterization efforts in Hanford tank farm areas.

Prior communication and interaction experience with the DOE, Ecology, and-or U.S. EPA.

Chemistry related analytical experience is strongly preferred.

Five (5) or more years of experience in DOE or similar environmental/regulatory processes.

Background in scientific analysis and assessment of field characterization data (e.g., chemical characteristic properties, environmental sample results), and the preparation of regulatory documentation associated with RCRA/CERCLA and field investigations to characterize subsurface soils.

Demonstrated experience integrating efforts of a multi-disciplinary team to produce cohesive and technically defensible products.

Demonstrated strong technical writing ability.

Knowledge of various regulatory requirements, including (but not limited to) requirements established in the Hanford Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (HFFACO), the State of Washington Dangerous Waste Regulations and Model Toxics Control Act Clean Up Regulations (Washington Administrative Code 173-303 and 173-340), the Department of Energy Radioactive Waste Management Order (DOE O 435.1), and other requirements under RCRA and CERCLA and any applicable DOE Agreed Orders.

Familiar with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for data analysis, report preparation, and results presentation. Must have experience with development of scientific technical reports, plans, and position papers.

Experience on the Hanford Site tank farm environment (or a similar DOE facility) and hydrogeologic setting.

Depending on the nature of your employment with WRPS, 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).

-Many positions (non-bargaining) allow for a hybrid work environment, a combination of in-office and telework (restrictions may apply).

Compensation & Benefits

Grade 19:

Hiring Range Minimum: $114,475

Hiring Range Maximum: $144,325

Grade 20:

Hiring Range Minimum: $126,025

Hiring Range Maximum: $158,875

Grade 21:

Hiring Range Minimum: $138,700

Hiring Range Maximum: $174,900

WRPS 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 visithttps://hmis.hanford.gov/hr/page.cfm/HEWTBenefits

In accordance with the company's philosophy on compensation for exempt and salaried non-exempt employees, WRPS takes into consideration a variety of factors when determining initial 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 within the targeted hiring range posted. Note a candidate's prior salary history will not be taken into consideration.

Relocation Funding Provided Yes

U.S. Citizenship Required Yes

Clearance Required No

Job Classification Exempt

Shift Work Required No

This contractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

Applicants and employees have rights under Federal Employment Laws and are protected under federal law against discrimination. To view information regarding these rights, please click on these links:

• Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights.pdf)

• Pay Transparency Policy Statement

• Family Medical Leave Act (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf)

• Employee Polygraph Protection Act

• WA State Paid Family Medical Leave (https://paidleave.wa.gov/app/uploads/2021/12/2021.12.Six-things-to-know-about-Paid-Leave.pdf)