Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist 3)

State of Washington•Benton County – Richland, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Permit Writer (Environmental Specialist 3) within the Nuclear Waste Program. This role is located in the Richland Field Office in Richland, WA. The position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options, with an initial requirement to work in the office five days a week for onboarding and training. After successful completion, a minimum of one in-office day per week is required. As a Permit Writer in the Tank Waste Treatment Section of the Nuclear Waste Program, you will help ensure safe and compliant cleanup work at the Hanford Nuclear Facility. You will review and evaluate permit applications, modification packages, and technical documents supporting waste treatment, storage, and disposal operations. You will provide clear feedback to the U.S. Department of Energy and its contractors and help shape permit conditions to protect human health and the environment. This position offers direct experience with large industrial treatment facilities, dangerous waste regulations, and real-world compliance challenges. You will collaborate with engineers, scientists, and federal partners, participate in field inspections, and contribute to decisions guiding cleanup progress. This role provides opportunities to build regulatory and technical skills while supporting high-impact environmental work with room for professional growth.

Requirements

Six (6) years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which must include the following:
Regulatory Application – Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations to develop defensible regulatory positions and ensure compliance at technically complex facilities.
Technical Evaluation– Ability to analyze technical documents to ensure technical accuracy of permitting documents and decisions.
Permit Development – Ability to develop and clearly communicate technical permit conditions to ensure regulatory accuracy and compliance.
Research & Data Analysis – Ability to conduct research and perform qualitative and quantitative analysis to inform major permitting decisions and compliance evaluations.
Information Assessment – Ability to review, synthesize, and evaluate information and data to draw logical, defensible conclusions and determine regulatory positions.
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving – Ability to apply analytical reasoning to determine regulatory or technical courses of action for complex issues.
Project Management – Ability to plan and organize work, keep track of tasks and deadlines, run meetings effectively, coordinate with others, and make sure projects stay on schedule.
Education involving a major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences; environmental or natural science interdisciplinary studies; environmental planning, 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.
Must meet U.S. Department of Energy requirements to obtain and maintain a badge for access to the Hanford Site Security Clearance badge.
Must complete 40-hour HAZWOPER training within six months of appointment and then annual refreshers.

Nice To Haves

Regulatory Expertise – Ability to apply knowledge of RCRA and WAC regulations to ensure accurate regulatory interpretations and compliant permitting decisions.

Responsibilities

Review and evaluate permit documents, including Permit Change Notices, modification packages, and applications, and provide clear, timely Notices of Deficiencies or comments.
Apply state and federal dangerous waste regulations and help interpret permit requirements for the Permittee.
Work with permit leads, U.S. Department of Energy, and contractors to develop recommendations and negotiate permit conditions.
Evaluate environmental and permitting problems using logic, reasoning, and technical knowledge to assess alternative solutions and approaches.
Conduct field inspections and site visits for major treatment facilities to verify compliance with engineering specifications, permit conditions, and regulatory requirements.
Participate in meetings with federal partners to provide technical explanations and support the negotiation of permit conditions and compliance expectations.
Research and compile information on environmental laws, regulations, and facility operations to support permitting decisions.