Staff Environmental Sciences Specialist - Industrial Wastewater Permitting Focus

Black & Veatch Family of Companies•Orlando, FL

3d•$103,992 - $163,438

About The Position

Black & Veatch is seeking a Staff Environmental Sciences Specialist to support its Environmental practice, focusing on industrial wastewater permitting and compliance. The role supports clients in meeting state and federal environmental requirements across project phases, from feasibility and design through construction and operations. The Environmental team includes ecologists, engineers, scientists, project managers, and attorneys, and provides consulting services for infrastructure projects across power, oil and gas, water and wastewater, data centers, manufacturing, and other industries. The specialist will lead and support NPDES permitting and compliance work for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities and industrial dischargers throughout the United States. Work includes developing permit applications and technical analyses, advising on Clean Water Act and pretreatment requirements, evaluating wastewater and regulatory data, coordinating with clients and permitting agencies, and supporting permit compliance programs. The role also includes technical guidance to project teams, project management and business development contributions, and occasional site visits. Domestic travel is required. Hybrid or flexible work options may be available after the first 90 days, subject to manager discretion, performance, and work assignments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, or a related scientific discipline, or relevant specialized training and experience that uniquely qualifies the individual to perform the job responsibilities.
At least 5 years of related professional experience in environmental permitting or compliance, including direct experience with NPDES wastewater discharge permitting and the national pretreatment program; approximately 5–10 years is preferred.
Experience preparing technical documents, permit applications, or compliance deliverables for industrial or municipal wastewater treatment facilities in the United States.
Ability to travel domestically for client meetings, agency meetings, and occasional site visits.
Ability to complete applicable pre-employment onboarding requirements, which may include background checks, drug screening, and motor vehicle records searches.
Strong technical writing, verbal communication, project coordination, and client-service skills, including the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
Ability to analyze technical and regulatory information, identify permitting risks, and develop practical, defensible strategies for clients and project teams.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, environmental science, or a related field; an advanced degree in a relevant discipline is a plus.
Progressive experience in industrial and/or municipal wastewater permitting, regulatory compliance, or environmental consulting, with substantial experience preparing or supporting U.S. NPDES permit applications.
Experience with industrial and/or municipal wastewater treatment facilities, including treatment processes, wastewater characterization, monitoring programs, operational considerations, and regulatory requirements affecting permit conditions.
Experience supporting Clean Water Act Section 316(a) and Section 316(b) studies, evaluations, or compliance programs.
Experience or knowledge of wastewater and related utility systems serving data centers, power plants, municipal wastewater treatment facilities, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, mining, or other industrial operations.
Working knowledge of the Clean Water Act, 40 CFR Parts 122–125, applicable effluent limitation guidelines, antidegradation requirements, state water quality standards, and delegated state NPDES programs.
Experience evaluating and developing technology-based and water quality-based effluent limitations, including receiving-water characteristics, water quality data, reasonable potential, antidegradation, total maximum daily loads, mixing zones, and compliance schedules.
Experience with industrial pretreatment requirements, categorical pretreatment standards, indirect wastewater discharge permitting, or municipal pretreatment programs, including local limits development.
Experience communicating and negotiating with EPA, state environmental agencies, publicly owned treatment works, and other permitting authorities.
Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer in Training (EIT) certification for engineering-degree candidates; Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) or Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), as applicable to the candidate’s background and responsibilities.
Completion of recognized NPDES, wastewater compliance, pretreatment, or water quality training.

Responsibilities

Lead and support NPDES permitting and compliance projects for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities and industrial dischargers across the United States.
Prepare new, renewal, and modification applications for individual and general NPDES permits, including technical narratives, process descriptions, wastewater characterization and loading evaluations, treatment system assessments, sampling and monitoring plans, antidegradation demonstrations, and supporting documents.
Evaluate permitting and compliance strategies under the Clean Water Act, federal and state NPDES programs, and local pretreatment programs, including direct and indirect discharges, pretreatment, and land application or reuse where applicable.
Review and interpret effluent limitations, water quality standards, total maximum daily loads, mixing-zone requirements, reasonable potential analyses, antidegradation requirements, and Clean Water Act Sections 316(a) and 316(b) requirements.
Assess wastewater characterization data, discharge monitoring reports, compliance histories, treatment performance, and facility changes to identify permitting risks and practical compliance solutions.
Coordinate with facility owners and operators, engineers, laboratories, legal counsel, and federal, state, and local permitting authorities during permit development, agency review, negotiation, public notice, and final permit issuance.
Develop and implement permit compliance programs, including monitoring and reporting plans, operational stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs), discharge monitoring data evaluations, best management practices, compliance schedules, corrective action plans, and responses to agency requests, notices of violation, or enforcement matters.
Provide technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams on wastewater permitting during planning, design, construction, startup, and operation of treatment systems and related infrastructure.
Manage assigned scopes, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and client communications; contribute to proposals and business development for wastewater permitting and compliance services.
Conduct occasional site visits and field reviews to understand wastewater generation, treatment processes, discharge locations, and compliance conditions.
Travel domestically for client meetings, agency meetings, and occasional site visits.
Use audio/video conferencing software for internal and external communication; perform sitting, standing, and computer work for extended periods.