Senior Waste Management Specialist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Job Description:

Requisition Id6055

The Transportation and Waste Management Division at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a skilled Senior Waste Management Specialist. The radiological Waste Management Specialist (WMS) is a subject matter expert for all aspects of radioactive waste management. The WMS has significant experience with detailed and documented radiological characterization, regulatory compliant packaging, Department of Transportation requirements, Nevada Nuclear Security Site disposal, Waste Isolation Pilot Plant requirements and audit support. The primary function of the WMS position is to assist the ORNL waste generators with the characterization of ORNL radioactive waste.

We are the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Our diverse capabilities span a broad spectrum of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabling the Laboratory to explore fundamental science challenges and to carry out the research needed to accelerate the delivery of solutions to the marketplace.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide expert technical direction as an ORNL Subject Matter Expert for the characterization and disposition of all ORNL radioactive streams including radioactive waste generated by nuclear accelerators, nuclear reactors, isotope production, radiochemical research, irradiated nuclear fuel testing, irradiated metal interrogation, environmental cleanup, laboratory analysis, and biological research.


• Attend conferences to present technical papers and participate in DOE site assessments and audits as requested in support of the DOE mission


• Lead ORNL's audit preparation for audits and assessment conducted by DOE and DOE contractors.


• Develop new characterization techniques and equipment to support characterization and packaging of high activity radioactive waste while balancing impacts of ALARA, DOT criteria and facility limitations.


• Develop peer-reviewed waste management calculations and technical position papers


• Perform regulatory reviews of documentation for compliance


• Develop waste management procedures and spreadsheet application tools


• Assist with treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDF) interface


• Support external and internal audits and assessments of the waste management program


• Lead multiple characterization projects simultaneous


• Mentor less experienced WMS staff

Basic (Required) Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree


• A minimum of eight years of experience at a DOE site performing radioactive waste management with most of the experience in waste characterization and certification


• Extensive experience in the use of Microshield software application


• Extensive experience with the review and application of laboratory analysis to characterize the radioactive and chemical constituents of waste


• Extensive experience with Microsoft Excel


• Experience with reviewing gamma spectrum analysis


• Experience in characterizing radioactive waste that is generated by nuclear accelerators, nuclear reactors, hot cell facilities, and chemical separation processes


• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an on-going random drug testing program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15+ years' experience in waste management


• Radioactive waste management experience at ORNL is a plus


• Experience with ORNL's waste management database application, "BroadPointe"


• Experience in characterizing radioactive waste that is also regulated under RCRA and TSCA


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.