Scientist III

POSITION: Scientist III, Environmental Management System/Sustainability Coordinator

Department: Site Environmental Compliance (Carlsbad, NM)

LATA has an immediate opening for an individual with experience in the environmental field, specifically related to work scope associated with maintaining an Environmental Management System (EMS) and assisting with Sustainability, Pollution Prevention (P2), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) programs. This position entails continued application of EMS requirements for the WIPP site, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility near Carlsbad, New Mexico. The WIPP facility is approximately a 45-minute commute from Carlsbad or about a 1-hour commute from Hobbs, New Mexico. A shuttle commuter service to and from the WIPP site is offered from both locations.

The Environmental Management System (EMS)/Sustainability Coordinator works collaboratively with the WIPP Pollution Prevention (P2) Coordinator, and Energy Manager to develop, coordinate, and promote effective sustainability initiatives to reduce the site’s impact on the environment. Responsibilities include educating the WIPP site community about the EMS, sustainability, and P2 programs, leading the planning of WIPP Earth Day events and activities, coordinating site communication and activities related to these programs, preparation of the EMS annual report and the Energy and Water Management Plan, and contributing to the Waste Minimization Report.

The Sustainability Program covers various DOE Sustainability Goals, which include, but are not limited to, energy and water conservation, waste minimization, recycling, sustainable procurement, carbon pollution-free electricity and site resilience. The WIPP NEPA Program consists of conducting environmental compliance reviews of planned engineering design and construction projects at WIPP.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

• Working to expand WIPP recycling programs.

• Coordination with WIPP organizations in acquiring a status of completion for their groups’ EMS targets.

• Provide guidance to facility organizations on how their programs may be tailored to generate EMS annual targets.

• Conduct Environmental Management System Steering Committee (EMSSC) meetings as needed to discus the percent completion on targets, along with EMS subjects germane to the EMSSC at large.

• Coordinate with the Engineering Department’s Energy Manager for their compilation and submittal of the Energy and Water Management Plan.

• Write clear and organized reports and other documents that effectively communicate ideas, identify problems/solutions, and the status of projects. Annually summarize EMS activities for various compliance reports that are submitted to federal and state regulators.

• Inform the SIMCO Program Manager of the progress and status of the EMS on an annual basis.

• Support regulatory compliance applicable to ensuring adherence to federal and New Mexico environmental regulations. 

Minimum Position Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Science, Engineering, or equivalent area.

• 3 to 5 years of combined experience supporting and implementing EMS, P2, Sustainability and/or NEPA programs.

• Experience working with sustainability or environmental programs in a government facility is preferred.

• Previous HAZWOPER and/or MSHA training will be considered a plus.

• Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with other individuals and project groups.

• Attention to detail. Initiative is required.

• Ability to use Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, to prepare presentations and reports.

• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with various site-wide departments and organizations.