Modeling Scientist (Mid-Level) - Amentum

Title Modeling Scientist (Mid-Level) Position Number 39445 Company WA River Protection Solutions City/State Richland, WA Location 2505 Garlick/RCHN Posted 09/19/2024 Closes 10/10/2024 Regular/Temporary Regular Full/Part-Time Full-Time Job Responsibilities/Duties Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) manages one of the most challenging radioactive waste cleanup projects in the country. Our focus is reducing the environmental risk posed by 56 million gallons of radioactive and chemical waste stored in 177 underground tanks on the Hanford Site located in Richland, WA. Join us today and be a part of history! The Closure and Interim Measures (C&IM) organization at WRPS performs waste management area closure activities for the Hanford tank farms in accordance with Site-wide integrated closure strategies. The C&IM organization is in search of a Mid-level Scientist with experience in subsurface contaminant fate and transport modeling to support of tank farm closure activities to assure State and Federal regulators and other stakeholders that waste site closure will be conducted in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment for current and future generations. The individual selected for this position will become an important technical member of multi-disciplinary teams within the C&IM organization and other supporting WRPS groups that are focused on a variety of tank-farm closure activities involving: * Supporting WRPS and subcontractor development and use of one-, two-, and three-dimensional numerical models to simulate subsurface flow and contaminant fate and transport from radiological and chemically dangerous waste sites associated with the Hanford tank farms. * Supporting WRPS and subcontractor use of numerical model abstractions to simulate the fate and transport of contaminants released to the environment from these waste sites. * The preparation of regulatory documents reporting the results of the fate and transport simulations with a specific emphasis on clear communication of activities supporting model development, model verification, model execution, and reporting simulated impacts to human health and the environment over prolonged durations. Other duties may include: * The use of field characterization, laboratory analyses, and technical analyses in RCRA Facility Investigations to develop a detailed understanding of the nature and extent of radioactive and hazardous chemicals in subsurface vadose zone soils that have been impacted by past leaks and releases from tank farm facilities and waste sources and to perform a qualitative evaluation of the anticipated behavior of the site-related contaminants in the vadose zone and the groundwater within the tank farm areas; * Supporting corrective measure studies to evaluate and determine final remediation alternatives for contaminated sediments found in Hanford Site tank farm areas; * Supporting the design, evaluation, and construction of interim measures, including the use of interim surface barriers, identified to mitigate the impacts from past tank waste releases until more permanent solutions can be implemented; and * Supporting the development of final plans that provide configurations for eventual landfill closure of residual wastes left in tanks and ancillary equipment after waste retrieval has been completed in all tank farm areas. These final closure plans incorporate a number of supporting analysis of the performance assessment of the landfill-closed tank farms areas that include the long-term impacts to human health and the environment from radiological and hazardous chemical constituents eventually left in tanks and ancillary equipment after closure. The individual selected for this scientist position will contribute to C&IM development and implementation of modeling approaches used to human health and environmental risk assessments and performance assessments for tank farm waste facilities and the subsurface environment. These assessments generally focus on supporting subsurface characterization, risk evaluations, and remediation activities for contaminated waste sites in the Hanford Site tank farm areas. Risk evaluations and modeling activities implemented within the C&IM are being performed in support of technical analyses and regulatory documentation needed to support waste cleanup, corrective measures, and closure activities for tank farm areas. These analyses are being performed in accordance with the requirements of Department of Energy Order 435.1 (Radioactive Waste Management), Washington Administrative Code 173-340 (Model Toxics Control Act - Cleanup), and RCRA Corrective Action and CERCLA Guidance. The individual selected for this mid-level scientist position will be responsible for performing the following duties and responsibilities: * Participate as a contributor to develop and execute numerical models supporting environmental fate and transport simulations for sites containing radiological and chemically dangerous waste. * Support C&IM efforts for routine data compilation and analysis using industry standard applications associated with the development and implementation of fate and transport modeling analyses supporting risk and dose assessments. * Participate as a contributor with the identification of technical issues and problem-solving approaches for efficient and effective implementation of human health and environmental risk assessments and performance assessments. * Support, guide and/or perform data pre- and post-processing and modeling calculations to assist in the evaluation of long-term performance of potential corrective measures and/or closure configurations implemented in tank farms area. * Support C&IM with the development and implementation of graphical tools and visualization techniques to communicate results to regulators and stakeholders. * Participate with other multi-disciplinary team members to plan, implement and document risk assessment and performance assessment activities needed to support required regulatory documentation. Required Qualifications Grade 17: Bachelor's degree (BS) in Geology, Chemistry, Hydrology, Geophysics, Engineering, or related discipline and Five (5) years directly related experience. Grade 18: Bachelor's degree (BS) in Geology, Chemistry, Hydrology, Geophysics, Engineering, or related discipline and Seven (7) years directly related experience. Note the essential duties for this grade level are like that of the previous grade level, however the scope of responsibility is larger, and the expected level of performance is increased. Grade 19: Bachelor's degree (BS) in Geology, Chemistry, Hydrology, Geophysics, Engineering, or related discipline and nine (9) years of directly related experience. Note the essential duties for this grade level are like that of the previous grade level, however the scope of responsibility is significantly larger, and the expected level of performance is greatly increased. Desired Qualifications * Must possess verbal communication skills suitable to convey ideas and information with peers and management. * Master's degree or higher preferred. Advanced degrees reduce the requirements for the minimum number of years of relevant experience. * Must have a proven familiarity and understanding of numerical modeling principles as applied to contaminant fate and transport simulations. * An understanding of regulatory requirements for human health and environmental risk assessment is desired, but not required. * Demonstrated familiarity in the application of subsurface flow and contaminant transport implemented in detailed numerical process-level and/or system-level software * Proficient with Microsoft Office (especially Excel), and a working familiarity with numerical modeling, risk assessment, and-or visualization software is preferred. Compensation & Benefits In accordance with the company's philosophy on compensation for exempt and salaried non-exempt employees, WRPS takes into consideration a variety of factors when determining initial salary to include assigned job scope and responsibility, a candidate's qualifications as compared to internal comparators performing in a similar role, and the external labor market. A salary offer will be made within the targeted hiring range posted. Note a candidate's prior salary history will not be taken into consideration. Hiring Range Minimum: $94,650 Hiring Range Maximum: $144,325 Depending on the nature of your employment with WRPS, you can expect the following: * A business casual dress work environment: jeans are permissible (restrictions may apply). * Opportunity for work/life balance: a standard 4 x 10 work schedule, allowing more personal time to enjoy life outside of the office (other schedules and/or shift work may be required). * Many positions (non-bargaining) allow for a hybrid work environment, a combination of in-office and telework (restrictions may apply). WRPS offers a comprehensive benefits package to include medical/dental/vision, short-and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) with employer match, and paid time off. For a full list of benefits please visithttps://hmis.hanford.gov/hr/page.cfm/HEWTBenefits. Relocation Funding Provided Yes U.S. Citizenship Required Yes Clearance Required No Job Classification Exempt Shift Work Required No This contractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. Applicants and employees have rights under Federal Employment Laws and are protected under federal law against discrimination. To view information regarding these rights, please click on these links: + Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OFCCP/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/22-088\_EEOC\_KnowYourRights.pdf) + Pay Transparency Policy Statement + Family Medical Leave Act (https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf) + Employee Polygraph Protection Act + WA State Paid Family Medical Leave (https://paidleave.wa.gov/app/uploads/2021/12/2021.12.Six-things-to-know-about-Paid-Leave.pdf)