Air and Waste Management Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3)

Air And Waste Management Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3)

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring an Air and Waste Management Engineer (Environmental Engineer 3) within the Nuclear Waste Program.

Location:

• Richland Field Office in Richland, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• A minimum of one day every two weeks is required in the office, in addition to any necessary in-person meetings, inspections, training, field work, travel, or tasks that cannot be accomplished from a telework location.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by July 14, 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.

We are seeking a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) to serve as an Environmental Engineer for the Hanford site-wide Air Operating Permit and Notice of Construction (NOC) approval orders. In this role, you will apply your professional engineering expertise to review and evaluate the Sitewide Air Operating Permit and its modifications, assess new or proposed approval orders, negotiate and prepare permit materials, and provide recommendations for enforcement actions. Your engineering judgment and expertise will be essential to ensuring the proper implementation of state and federal air quality regulations, dangerous waste regulations, and CERCLA regulations. Using agency and program policies, as well as technical engineering guidelines and procedures covering design requirements, you will conduct engineering reviews of operation and maintenance requirements for Hanford waste sites and facilities.

This is a challenging yet highly rewarding position. Your work will directly support Ecology's mission and play a critical role in advancing cleanup at the Hanford Site - one of the most complex environmental cleanup efforts in the nation. You will represent Ecology as a subject matter expert and collaborate with professionals from national laboratories, state and federal agencies, and industry. This high level of visibility and technical engagement creates meaningful opportunities for professional growth, expanded responsibility, and long-term career advancement.

What you will do:

• Perform professional engineering review of technical documents supporting air permits and compliance with air permits.
• Perform air compliance inspections, prepare inspection reports, and recommend enforcement actions.
• Understand, communicate, and apply state and federal engineering requirements for permitting and cleanup.
• Participate in project development and project team meetings. Inform Section Manager and applicable Project Managers of schedule, availability, and whereabouts. Participate in group processes and on teams both internally and externally.
• Perform professional engineering and technical review of documents, reports, and permit applications to determine compliance with applicable state and federal air requirements for Hanford and non-Hanford regulated facilities. Develop and negotiate permit requirements.
• Represent of the agency on Hanford cleanup issues with other agencies, organizations and the public through public presentations, technical meetings, partner meetings, negotiations, and consultations.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington or another state based on registration requirements equivalent to those in Washington, AND
• Three (3) years of experience in environmental engineering.

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.
• Complete initial 40-hour HAZWOPER training within six months of appointment and take annual 8-hour refresher training. Must be able to meet the physical activity requirements for this certification.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of Washington is required for the EE3 level. A PE with a license from a state other than Washington must obtain a Washington State PE license by comity within 6 months of hire.

NOTE: Individuals who are licensed as professional engineers in another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign country and wish to apply for this position must qualify for licensure in Washington State by comity. Applicants are responsible for reviewing and ensuring they meet Washington's comity requirements before submitting application materials.

Licensing requirements can be found on the Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors website: How To Get Your Professional Engineer License When Licensed in Another Jurisdiction

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to perform environmental engineering review of plans and specifications, site plans, dangerous waste, water, and air permits, and CERCLA and MTCA remedial documents.

If you are excited about this role but not sure if your experience aligns perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. You may just be the needed candidate for this or other roles.