Environmental Specialist Jobs

Environmental Specialist (UNDS)This is for an upcoming future opportunity. This position is part of a proposal effort and is contingent upon contract award. This will be based out of Bethesda, MD. The Environmental Specialist (UNDS) provides technical engineering and program support to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD) in the area of the Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) program. This role supports the development of requirements and guidelines for the Navy's UNDS compliance, ensuring that shipboard discharge management aligns with federal, state, and international environmental regulations. This candidate will work across regulatory review, discharge characterization, outreach, and documentation management to ensure the Navy maintains environmental compliance under the UNDS framework. The specialist is responsible for all six primary UNDS task areas listed below. The Environmental Specialist (UNDS) provides comprehensive scientific and regulatory support to NSWCDD under the Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) program. This specialist supports the full lifecycle of UNDS compliance activities: from reviewing and interpreting state, federal, and international environmental regulations affecting shipboard wastewater discharge management, to supporting the development of policies, conducting discharge characterization studies, and providing outreach and awareness training. They are responsible for managing supporting documentation, tracking regulatory actions, and attending programmatic and technical meetings, program reviews, and conferences. This position requires a strong background in environmental science, water/wastewater management, and federal environmental regulatory frameworks. The specialist must be able to work collaboratively with NAVSEA, Navy program offices, federal agencies (e.g., EPA), and Fleet units to ensure the Navy meets its UNDS obligations while preserving mission readiness. Key responsibilities include:Review state, federal, and international policies and regulations affecting shipboard wastewater discharge managementSummarize regulatory findings in clear, actionable reports for program leadership and stakeholdersIdentify and assess the impacts of proposed or enacted regulatory changes on Navy UNDS program compliance obligationsMonitor EPA rulemaking, Congressional legislation, and international conventions (e.g., MARPOL Annex IV) for UNDS relevanceCharacterize shipboard discharges covered under UNDS and the associated 40 CFR Part 1700 regulationsCollect and analyze water quality data from discharge streams aboard Navy vesselsSupport preparation of discharge characterization reports and data summariesCoordinate with laboratories and field teams for sampling and analytical services as requiredSupport the development of Navy regulations, policies, and guidelines in response to UNDS requirementsDraft and review UNDS-related policy documents, standards, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)Coordinate with NAVSEA, EPA, and Navy program offices to develop compliant regulatory responsesAssist in the preparation of Navy comments on proposed federal and state environmental rulemakingsConduct outreach and awareness training for Navy personnel on UNDS requirements, discharge standards, and compliance proceduresDevelop training materials, presentations, and informational resources for Fleet and program office audiencesSupport creation of awareness campaigns and educational content related to shipboard environmental stewardshipDeliver training in multiple formats including classroom, aboard ship, and through informational productsManage supporting documentation arising from UNDS regulatory, policy, and outreach activitiesTrack actions and decisions resulting from regulatory reviews, policy development, and program meetingsMaintain program records, correspondence files, and reference libraries for UNDS compliance activitiesPrepare status reports and action item logs for program leadership reviewPlan, coordinate, and attend program reviews, conferences, symposia, and other programmatic and technical meetings related to UNDS workPrepare agendas, presentation materials, and meeting minutes for UNDS-related eventsRepresent NSWCDD UNDS program at interagency, Fleet, and external stakeholder forums as appropriateTrack and follow up on action items arising from meetings and technical exchanges Conduct studies on shipboard environmental systems and shore-side discharge operationsPerform legislative reviews, rulemaking analyses, and international treaty reviews relevant to ship waste managementAnalyze regulatory documents for their impact and relevance to Navy programs and UNDS complianceDraft standards and regulations; prepare supporting presentations and briefing materialsWrite, review, edit, provide comments on, and revise technical documents including reports and specificationsDevelop technical assessments and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)Review and develop drawings; rewrite/incorporate revisions into existing documentsAttend technical and programmatic meetings; provide minutes and track action items to completionArrange, organize, coordinate, schedule, and facilitate events including meetings, program reviews, and symposiaDesign and develop informational posters, brochures, specification sheets, and outreach materialsProvide data analysis, interpretation of results, and statistical projections related to discharge characterizationSupport UNDS compliance data reporting, trend analysis, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) reviewsPrepare data summaries, charts, and visualizations for program reports and briefingsRequired Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Marine Science or Oceanography, Environmental Engineering, Biology or Ecology (with environmental focus), Chemistry (with environmental focus), Hydrology or Water Resources, OR Earth or Environmental Systems Science from an accredited College or UniversityShall possess five (5) years of experience in work related to UNDS SupportMust be a US Citizen with an active Secret ClearanceExperience in the following skills & knowledge areas:Expert knowledge of the Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) regulatory framework under 40 CFR Part 1700, and the underlying Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 1322) authorities governing vessel dischargesFamiliarity with federal environmental statutes (Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, NEPA) and international treaties (MARPOL 73/78 Annex IV) applicable to ship waste management and discharge regulationProficiency in water/wastewater sampling methods, analytical testing procedures, and interpretation of discharge characterization data in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136 guidelinesKnowledge of OPNAV-M 5090.1 (Environmental Readiness Program Manual) and relevant Navy environmental policy documents governing shipboard environmental complianceProficiency in technical report writing, regulatory analysis, and preparation of briefing materials, training content, and outreach communications for diverse audiences ranging from Fleet personnel to senior leadershipAbility to manage supporting documentation, track regulatory and programmatic action items, and maintain program records; experience with CDRL preparation and delivery in a DoD contract environment preferredAbility to collect, analyze, and interpret environmental data; experience with statistical methods, data reporting tools, and scientific databases relevant to water quality and wastewater characterizationProficiency with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and database management toolsAbility to obtain and maintain security clearanceDesired QualificationsShould possess ten (10) years of experience in work related UNDS SupportPrior experience supporting Navy or DoD UNDS program activities, shipboard discharge studies, or related EPA rulemaking processesFamiliarity with MARPOL 73/78 Annex IV (Sewage from Ships) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) environmental requirements applicable to Navy vesselsExperience with water/wastewater sampling and analysis, including EPA-approved test procedures (40 CFR Part 136) and laboratory quality assurance protocolsKnowledge of shipboard environmental systems including gray water, black water, sewage, and bilge water management technologiesExperience developing or delivering environmental training, outreach programs, or awareness campaigns for technical and non-technical audiencesPrior experience with CDRL preparation and delivery in a DoD or federal government contract environmentUnderstanding of the Navy Modernization Process (NMP) and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) as they relate to environmental system upgradesExperience working with NAVSEA, EPA, or state environmental agencies on federal or state permit programs, discharge monitoring, or regulatory compliance activitiesOverview Noblis and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Noblis ESI and Noblis MSD, take on some of the nation's toughest challenges, delivering advanced solutions to our customers' most critical missions