Job Description

Posting number: 2026-NWP3389-08936

Department: Dept. of Ecology

Division: Nuclear Waste

Job classification: ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST 5

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Environmental Services, Public Health, Natural Resources, Sciences, Green-Collar/Environmental

Summary

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Dangerous Waste Compliance Inspector and Enforcement Specialist (Environmental Specialist 5) (In-Training) 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:

• Initially, this position requires working in the office five days a week for onboarding and training. Flexible schedule options are available.
• Upon successful completion of the probationary period, a partial telework schedule may be established with supervisor approval, based on position needs.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by November 23, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Examples of duties

Join our team as a Dangerous Waste Compliance Inspector and Enforcement Specialist and help protect public health and the environment through dangerous waste inspections and enforcement activities. In this role, you'll lead and support inspections at the Hanford Site and other mixed waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, helping ensure compliance with environmental laws and supporting the safe management of hazardous and radioactive waste.

You will work on Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) compliance and enforcement, supporting some of the state's most complex and high-profile environmental cleanup and waste management efforts. This position provides an opportunity to build technical expertise in RCRA and CERCLA requirements, gain experience in both compliance and enforcement work, and grow your career in environmental regulation.

What you will do:

• Conduct complex inspections and investigations at treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.
• Prepare inspection reports that document findings, observations, and recommendations.
• Apply advanced knowledge and understanding of dangerous waste regulations to evaluate compliance.
• Draft, review, and evaluate inspection reports to ensure accuracy, consistency, and defensibility.
• Revies and comment on Recommendations for Enforcement, including penalty calculations.
• Manage electronic files, paper records, and email in accordance with agency policies, records retention requirements, and public disclosure requirements.

Qualifications

This position offers an in-training plan and may be filled at the Environmental Specialist 3, 4, or 5 level, depending on your qualifications. If you qualify at the ES3 or ES4 level and are hired, you will progress through an in-training plan to become an ES5 within a specified time period.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

At the Environmental Specialist 3 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 53, $4,980 - $6,708 monthly

Six (6) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Regulatory Knowledge – Ability to apply basic knowledge of environmental regulations and policies to support routine compliance evaluations.
• Technical Understanding – Ability to interpret straightforward permit conditions and operating records to assist higher-level staff in determining compliance status.
• Inspection Support – Ability to participate in inspections by gathering notes, records, and photographs to support accurate documentation of field activities.
• Data Management – Ability to enter and maintain compliance data in agency systems to ensure accurate recordkeeping.
• Analytical Skills – Ability to review simple compliance documents to identify potential issues and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Problem Solving – Ability to identify compliance issues to support accurate documentation and escalation to higher-level staff.

Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, business administration, statistics, 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.
• Master’s degree or higher.

At the Environmental Specialist 4 level (In-Training)

Pay Range 59, $5,779 - $7,774 monthly

Nine (9) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Technical Environmental Experience – Understand State or Federal environmental regulation and program policies. Ability to follow policies and objectives for Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs).
• Regulatory Interpretation – Ability to interpret and apply dangerous waste regulations to evaluate facility compliance and support decisions made by senior staff.
• Inspection Execution – Ability to conduct moderately complex inspections and investigations to identify compliance concerns and document observations.
• Compliance Evaluation – Ability to evaluate observations and potential violations to support defensible compliance determinations.
• Consultation – Ability to provide technical guidance to facilities and internal staff to support accurate understanding of regulatory requirements and promote compliance.
• Data Analysis – Ability to analyze environmental records and permit conditions to develop inspection checklists and preliminary scopes.
• Problem Solving – Ability to evaluate moderately complex compliance concerns to recommend appropriate actions that support consistent regulatory outcomes.
• Project Management – Ability to cooperatively and effectively work with a team while performing project management work with internal and external partners.

Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, business administration, statistics, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 9 years of experience.
• 8 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 7 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 6 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 5 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 2 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

At the Environmental Specialist 5 level (Goal Class)

Pay Range 63, $6,384 - $8,583 monthly

Ten (10) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:

• Regulatory and Technical Expertise – Demonstrated ability to apply expert knowledge of environmental rules, standards, and facility operations to ensure accurate, defensible compliance oversight.
• Inspection Leadership – Demonstrated ability to lead complex TSDF inspections and investigations to fully assess compliance status and inform program enforcement actions.
• Data Analysis – Demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and manage data to produce reliable information that supports sound decisions.
• Data Integration and Management – Demonstrated ability to synthesize and manage complex environmental, operational, regulatory, and CERCLA-related data to inform inspection scopes, support compliance determinations, and ensure complete and defensible documentation.
• Compliance Planning – Demonstrated ability to design and implement advanced compliance oversight strategies to proactively identify risks and ensure sustained regulatory adherence.
• Communication and Consultation – Demonstrated ability to provide regulatory and technically consultation and communicate clearly and concisely to support compliance decisions and actions.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making – Demonstrated ability to evaluate and assess issues, develop options, and make informed decisions to resolve problems and improve outcomes.
• Project Management – Demonstrated ability to independently plan, organize, and manage complex TSDF compliance oversight projects to ensure coordinated execution, timely completion, and consistent achievement of regulatory outcomes.

Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, business administration, statistics, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 10 years of experience.
• 9 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 8 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 7 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 6 years of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.
• 4 years of experience AND a Master’s degree.
• 3 years of experience AND a Ph.D.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must meet the U.S. Department of Energy requirements to acquire and maintain a USDOE badge for access to the Hanford Site.
• Must take and pass HAZWOPER training (initial 40-hour training) within the first six months of employment, and 8-hour refresher training annually.

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with Washington State Dangerous Waste Regulations.
• Prior experience inspecting Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs).
• Exceptional organizational skills.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

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.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the top of this page. Complete the entire application, including full work history and responses to all supplemental questions, and attach:

• Cover letter, describing your interest in and qualifications for this position
• Resume

Because we base our selection on the information you provide, it is in your best interest to complete the application thoroughly. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields or supplemental question responses with comments such as “see resume” may be considered incomplete.

For detailed application information, please visit our Recruitment website.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Need an Accommodation?

If you need reasonable accommodation during the application and/or screening process, including this job announcement in an alternate format:

• Please contact us at 360-407-6186 and select #2 for Recruitment or email careers@ecy.wa.gov
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 711 or 1-800-833-6384.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Cole Caldwell at Cole.Caldwell@ecy.wa.gov
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at careers@ecy.wa.gov

About the Nuclear Waste Program

The Nuclear Waste Program (NWP) enforces regulatory compliance and oversees cleanup at the Hanford Site and other facilities managing nuclear waste statewide. It also promotes public involvement, congressional and federal contact, and interstate activities to enhance nuclear waste management, compliance, and cleanup of the Hanford Site. This position is in NWP's Compliance and Regulatory Assistance Section.

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentive, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth *Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out our Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment 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.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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