Environmental Compliance Specialist

General Description

Under the guidance of the Project Manager, the Environmental Compliance Specialist provides the technical expertise necessary to support and implement various environmental programs at NASA Langley Research Center, including leading the comprehensive environmental facility audit program and identifying environmental compliance and management system implementation gaps, coordinating environmental outreach and training functions for staff and clients, and maintaining and administering various environmental systems, website content, and databases.

How You Will Fulfill Your Mission

• Prepare and conduct comprehensive environmental facility audits. Facility audits include observations of facility processes and compliance under various environmental regulatory areas such as waste, air, tanks, and water.
• Complete facility audit reports, review root cause and corrective action plans, and track findings to closure.
• Offer advice, guidance, and assistance to ensure action is initiated to resolve compliance deficiencies or coordinate with appropriate facility and management personnel to ensure that suitable action is initiated to resolve deficiencies.
• Maintain and administer the client’s hazardous material tracking system, safety data sheet library, and environmental coordinator databases, including ensuring system functionality, maintaining data quality, and providing help-desk capabilities.
• Assist with the implementation of new environmental tracking databases/systems.
• When necessary, act as backup to the Water Quality Program Lead and conduct site inspections of land disturbing projects for compliance with Government-approved Plans (e.g., Erosion and Sediment Controls Plans; Stormwater Management Plans, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans).
• Develop and implement an annual Communication Plan that ensures effective communication between the environmental office and LaRC personnel regarding environmental issues and compliance requirements.
• Utilize effective communication tools for each program area which include, but are not limited to NEPA, Air Quality, Spill Response, Tank Program, Water Quality, Waste Management, Natural Resources, Cultural Resources, Hazardous Materials, and Energy and Water Conservation.
• Review and maintain the external and internal environmental websites in accordance with the Communication Plan referenced above and/or other awareness requirements.
• Provide support for other areas of the contract as required (e.g., natural resources management; development and implementation of environmental training; environmental sampling, etc.).
• Provide support to other HSG customers, contracts, and projects when requested.
• Ensure all work performed is conducted in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, as well as associated Job Safety Analyses and approved Standard Operating Procedures.

The duties and responsibilities described in this position description in no way state or imply that these are the only duties performed. This position may require that additional duties and responsibilities be performed.

Why We Value You

• You are able to work independently and show a high level of initiative and attention to detail.
• You have a consistent character and do not yield to pressure to compromise or cut corners.
• You have a strong ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and customers by clearly expressing your intent and understanding the focus and purpose of the conversation while allowing each person to get their point across.
• You are open to new ideas and innovations and can create modifications or changes in yourself to adapt or suit a new environment/situation.
• You have faith in your own ideas and ability to be successful.
• You hold yourself to the highest standard and work to inspire your team to produce quality work.

Specific Knowledge/Certification Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, or related field.
• Minimum one-year relevant experience.
• Exposure to environmental-related job duties or coursework, with an understanding of environmental regulations and inspection processes.
• Ability to apply environmental knowledge in providing guidance and recommendations to government and contract personnel across various management levels.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience conducting environmental compliance inspections/audits.
• Certified Inspector in accordance with Virginia Erosion and Sediment Controls and Storm Water Management regulations.

Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods of time; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear; have sufficient manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, telephone, and other such office equipment as necessary; may occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds or more with assistance. Specific visual abilities required by the job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust and focus.
• Work Environment: Work will mainly be performed in an office setting and occasionally with irregular hours.
• Travel: A low amount of travel away from office may be required.