Hazardous Waste Specialist II

General Description

Herndon Solutions Group (HSG) is seeking a Hazardous Waste Specialist II to serve as the senior technical and program-administration resource for regulated and controlled waste management at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). Based primarily at Lewis Field in Brook Park, Ohio, the Specialist leads complex waste determinations, compliance records and reporting, shipment and vendor coordination, chemical reuse and Hazardous Materials Management System (HMMS) support, and program improvements. The position is responsible for evaluating regulatory compliance risks, assessing alternative waste-management approaches, and developing technical recommendations to support effective program administration and regulatory compliance.

The Specialist supports both Lewis Field and the Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility (GRC-ATF), coordinates closely with other environmental staff to ensure consistent cross-site execution, and reports to the designated HSG Project Manager/Site Lead. The Specialist exercises independent judgment within delegated authority when evaluating complex compliance matters, prioritizing corrective actions, and recommending program improvements to management and Government personnel.

How You Will Fulfill Your Mission

• Lead assigned regulated and controlled waste-management functions, including complex waste determinations, waste profiles, sampling strategies, disposal pathways, manifest administration, PCB and used oil requirements, and multi-site compliance coordination, evaluating regulatory obligations, environmental risks, and alternative compliance approaches to support informed program decisions.
• Review and approve the technical completeness of waste characterization packages, analytical data, profiles, manifests, land disposal restriction (LDR) forms, shipping documentation, exception reports, generator records, and inspection findings before Government action or signature, as applicable, exercising judgment in determining the adequacy of supporting information, identifying material compliance concerns, and recommending appropriate corrective actions.
• Develop sampling plans and coordinate NELAP-certified analytical services for waste, wastewater, soil, or other characterization needs; evaluate results and recommend compliant management options including assessment of alternative sampling approaches, data quality, regulatory implications, and potential environmental risks.
• Coordinate permitted treatment, storage, and disposal facility (TSDF) and receiving-facility agreements, waste shipment schedules, cost estimates, subcontractor performance, return documentation, discrepancy resolution, and required follow-up.
• Prepare or support RCRA Biennial Reports, PCB annual document logs, hazardous waste contingency plan updates, compliance reports, status reports, and audit-ready operating records.
• Administer chemical reuse center activities, evaluate unused materials for reuse, and review HMMS authorization requests and Safety Data Sheets for environmental compliance implications, assessing potential regulatory restrictions, environmental risks, and alternative management approaches.
• Evaluate HMMS requests for potential air, TSCA, waste disposal, storage, and related environmental constraints; document recommendations and coordinate issues with the appropriate functional-area lead.
• Conduct or oversee accumulation-area inspections and complex field evaluations; determine the significance of findings, recommend response priorities, and track corrective actions through closure, evaluating regulatory exposure, operational consequences, and the effectiveness of proposed corrective-action strategies.
• Provide technical consultation and coordination for petroleum, oil, and lubricant (POL) and tank inspections, spill documentation, inventory validation, and corrective-action follow-up.
• Develop, maintain, and improve procedures, work instructions, inspection protocols, records controls, training materials, and performance metrics for assigned waste-management functions incorporating regulatory changes, identified compliance risks, recurring deficiencies, and opportunities to strengthen internal controls and program effectiveness.
• Analyze program trends, recurring deficiencies, shipment issues, costs, and workload data, and present recommendations to the Project Manager, Site Lead, and Government program personnel.
• Mentor and coordinate with the Hazardous Waste Specialist I and Environmental Compliance Specialist I, ensuring continuity of coverage and consistent practices across Lewis Field and GRC-ATF.
• Exercise senior-level judgment in selecting compliant waste characterization, sampling, documentation, shipment, and corrective-action approaches, and determine when information is sufficient, when additional analysis is required, and when an issue must be escalated to management or the Government, including evaluation of alternative approaches and their potential regulatory, environmental, operational, and financial consequences.
• Lead complex assignments and remain accountable for the technical accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and defensibility of assigned work products.
• Provide technical recommendations while referring to regulatory negotiations, commitments of Government resources, and policy decisions to the appropriate authorized personnel

Why We Value You

• You are able to work independently and show a high level of initiative and attention to detail.
• You have a consistent character and do not yield to pressure to compromise or cut corners.
• You have a strong ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and customers by clearly expressing your intent and understanding the focus and purpose of the conversation while allowing each person to get their point across.
• You are open to new ideas and innovations and can create modifications or changes in yourself to adapt or suit a new environment/situation.
• You have faith in your own ideas and ability to be successful.
• You hold yourself to the highest standard and work to inspire your team to produce quality work.

Specific Knowledge Requirements/Certification Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in hazardous waste management, environmental compliance, or related regulatory programs, including experience evaluating compliance requirements, resolving complex technical issues, and recommending corrective actions. RCRA Hazardous Waste Management training and required refreshers.
• DOT Hazardous Materials Ground Shipper training and required refreshers.
• OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER training and required refreshers.
• Applicable NASA SATERN and site-specific environmental, safety, spill response, stormwater, POL, and waste-management training based on assigned duties.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain and maintain required NASA facility access.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, chemistry, environmental management, engineering, occupational safety, or a related discipline.
• Five or more years of hazardous waste compliance experience, including experience supporting federal or similarly complex regulated facilities.
• Experience with 40 CFR Parts 260-279, 40 CFR Part 761, Ohio EPA requirements, HMMS, RCRA Info reporting, self-lab-pack operations, and multi-generator waste programs.
• Experience procuring or managing laboratories, transporters, TSDFs, spill response contractors, or other environmental service providers.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Working Conditions

• This is primarily an on-site position at the designated reporting location, with routine support at the other GRC location as operational needs require, including local travel between Lewis Field and GRC-ATF.
• Supports GRC core business hours.
• Work may be performed in office, laboratory, industrial, warehouse, utility, construction, outdoor, and active facility environments.
• Must be able to lift, carry, or move 30 pounds or more; climb stairs; bend, stoop, twist, and reach; and stand or walk for two hours or more at one time.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment and work in varying weather and site conditions.
• Performs inspections, sampling oversight, and limited waste-handling activities necessary to evaluate compliance. Such work is incidental to the position’s primary compliance-administration duties.
• May participate in assigned emergency readiness and response coverage, including after-hours support when required.