Environmental Specialist

Noblis•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Environmental Specialist (UNDS) provides scientific, regulatory, technical, and program support to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) for the Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) program. The role supports development of requirements, guidelines, policies, and procedures to help ensure that Navy shipboard discharge management complies with applicable federal, state, and international environmental requirements while preserving mission readiness. The position covers regulatory review, discharge characterization, outreach and training, and management of program documentation and actions. The specialist reviews and interprets regulations and policies affecting shipboard wastewater discharges; monitors EPA rulemaking, Congressional legislation, and international conventions; assesses the effects of regulatory changes on Navy compliance; and helps prepare regulatory responses and comments. The role also supports characterization studies of discharges covered by UNDS and 40 CFR Part 1700, including water-quality data collection and analysis, coordination of sampling and laboratory services, and preparation of reports and data summaries. The position contributes to Navy regulations, policies, guidelines, standards, and SOPs; develops and delivers outreach and awareness training for Fleet and program office audiences; and manages records, correspondence, reference materials, action logs, and status reporting. The specialist plans and participates in program reviews, conferences, symposia, and technical or programmatic meetings, preparing agendas, presentations, and minutes and following actions through completion. Additional work includes environmental system studies, legislative and treaty reviews, technical writing and document revision, data analysis and visualization, and QA/QC reviews. This is an upcoming future opportunity based in Bethesda, Maryland, and is contingent upon contract award.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Marine Science or Oceanography, Environmental Engineering, Biology or Ecology with an environmental focus, Chemistry with an environmental focus, Hydrology or Water Resources, or Earth or Environmental Systems Science from an accredited college or university.
Five years of experience in work related to UNDS support.
Must be a U.S. citizen with an active Secret clearance; ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance is also stated.
Expert knowledge of the UNDS regulatory framework under 40 CFR Part 1700 and the Clean Water Act authorities governing vessel discharges (33 U.S.C. § 1322).
Familiarity with federal environmental statutes, including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and NEPA, and international treaties including MARPOL 73/78 Annex IV applicable to ship waste management and discharge regulation.
Proficiency in water and wastewater sampling methods, analytical testing procedures, and interpretation of discharge characterization data in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136 guidelines.
Knowledge of OPNAV-M 5090.1 (Environmental Readiness Program Manual) and relevant Navy environmental policy documents governing shipboard environmental compliance.
Proficiency in technical report writing, regulatory analysis, and preparation of briefing materials, training content, and outreach communications for audiences ranging from Fleet personnel to senior leadership.
Ability to manage supporting documentation, track regulatory and programmatic action items, and maintain program records.
Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret environmental data; experience with statistical methods, data reporting tools, and scientific databases relevant to water quality and wastewater characterization.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and database management tools.

Nice To Haves

Ten years of experience in work related to UNDS support.
Prior experience supporting Navy or DoD UNDS program activities, shipboard discharge studies, or related EPA rulemaking processes.
Familiarity with MARPOL 73/78 Annex IV (Sewage from Ships) and International Maritime Organization environmental requirements applicable to Navy vessels.
Experience with water and wastewater sampling and analysis, including EPA-approved test procedures under 40 CFR Part 136 and laboratory quality assurance protocols.
Knowledge of shipboard environmental systems, including gray water, black water, sewage, and bilge water management technologies.
Experience developing or delivering environmental training, outreach programs, or awareness campaigns for technical and non-technical audiences.
Experience with CDRL preparation and delivery in a DoD or federal government contract environment.
Understanding of the Navy Modernization Process and Engineering Change Proposals as they relate to environmental system upgrades.
Experience working with NAVSEA, EPA, or state environmental agencies on federal or state permit programs, discharge monitoring, or regulatory compliance activities.

Responsibilities

Review state, federal, and international policies and regulations affecting shipboard wastewater discharge management.
Summarize regulatory findings in actionable reports for program leadership and stakeholders.
Assess the effects of proposed or enacted regulatory changes on Navy UNDS compliance obligations.
Monitor EPA rulemaking, Congressional legislation, and international conventions, including MARPOL Annex IV, for UNDS relevance.
Characterize shipboard discharges covered by UNDS and 40 CFR Part 1700; collect and analyze water-quality data from Navy vessel discharge streams.
Coordinate sampling and analytical services with laboratories and field teams as required; support discharge characterization reports and data summaries.
Support development of Navy regulations, policies, guidelines, standards, and SOPs related to UNDS requirements.
Coordinate with NAVSEA, EPA, and Navy program offices on compliant regulatory responses; assist with Navy comments on proposed federal and state rulemakings.
Conduct UNDS outreach and awareness training; develop training materials, presentations, informational resources, awareness campaigns, and educational content for Fleet and program audiences.
Deliver training in classroom, aboard-ship, and informational-product formats.
Manage supporting documentation, program records, correspondence files, and reference libraries; track regulatory and programmatic actions and decisions.
Prepare status reports and action-item logs for program leadership.
Plan, coordinate, and attend program reviews, conferences, symposia, and technical or programmatic meetings; prepare agendas, presentation materials, and minutes and follow up on action items.
Represent the NSWCDD UNDS program at interagency, Fleet, and external stakeholder forums as appropriate.
Conduct studies on shipboard environmental systems and shore-side discharge operations; perform legislative, rulemaking, and international treaty reviews relevant to ship waste management.
Analyze regulatory documents for relevance and impacts on Navy programs and UNDS compliance.
Write, review, edit, comment on, and revise technical documents, reports, specifications, standards, and SOPs; review drawings and incorporate revisions into existing documents.
Provide environmental data analysis, interpretation, statistical projections, trend analysis, and QA/QC reviews related to discharge characterization and compliance reporting.
Prepare data summaries, charts, and visualizations for program reports and briefings.
Arrange, organize, coordinate, schedule, and facilitate meetings, program reviews, symposia, and other events.
Design and develop informational posters, brochures, specification sheets, and outreach materials.