Environmental Specialist

Responsibilities

*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 management
• Summarize regulatory findings in clear, actionable reports for program leadership and stakeholders
• Identify and assess the impacts of proposed or enacted regulatory changes on Navy UNDS program compliance obligations
• Monitor EPA rulemaking, Congressional legislation, and international conventions (e.g., MARPOL Annex IV) for UNDS relevance
• Characterize shipboard discharges covered under UNDS and the associated 40 CFR Part 1700 regulations
• Collect and analyze water quality data from discharge streams aboard Navy vessels
• Support preparation of discharge characterization reports and data summaries
• Coordinate with laboratories and field teams for sampling and analytical services as required
• Support the development of Navy regulations, policies, and guidelines in response to UNDS requirements
• Draft and review UNDS-related policy documents, standards, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Coordinate with NAVSEA, EPA, and Navy program offices to develop compliant regulatory responses
• Assist in the preparation of Navy comments on proposed federal and state environmental rulemakings
• Conduct outreach and awareness training for Navy personnel on UNDS requirements, discharge standards, and compliance procedures
• Develop training materials, presentations, and informational resources for Fleet and program office audiences
• Support creation of awareness campaigns and educational content related to shipboard environmental stewardship
• Deliver training in multiple formats including classroom, aboard ship, and through informational products
• Manage supporting documentation arising from UNDS regulatory, policy, and outreach activities
• Track actions and decisions resulting from regulatory reviews, policy development, and program meetings
• Maintain program records, correspondence files, and reference libraries for UNDS compliance activities
• Prepare status reports and action item logs for program leadership review
• Plan, coordinate, and attend program reviews, conferences, symposia, and other programmatic and technical meetings related to UNDS work
• Prepare agendas, presentation materials, and meeting minutes for UNDS-related events
• Represent NSWCDD UNDS program at interagency, Fleet, and external stakeholder forums as appropriate
• Track and follow up on action items arising from meetings and technical exchangesConduct studies on shipboard environmental systems and shore-side discharge operations
• Perform legislative reviews, rulemaking analyses, and international treaty reviews relevant to ship waste management
• Analyze regulatory documents for their impact and relevance to Navy programs and UNDS compliance
• Draft standards and regulations; prepare supporting presentations and briefing materials
• Write, review, edit, provide comments on, and revise technical documents including reports and specifications
• Develop technical assessments and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Review and develop drawings; rewrite/incorporate revisions into existing documents
• Attend technical and programmatic meetings; provide minutes and track action items to completion
• Arrange, organize, coordinate, schedule, and facilitate events including meetings, program reviews, and symposia
• Design and develop informational posters, brochures, specification sheets, and outreach materials
• Provide data analysis, interpretation of results, and statistical projections related to discharge characterization
• Support UNDS compliance data reporting, trend analysis, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) reviews
• Prepare data summaries, charts, and visualizations for program reports and briefings

Required 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 University

• Shall possess five (5) years of experience in work related to UNDS Support
• Must be a US Citizen with an actice Secret Clearance
• Experience 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 discharges
  • Familiarity 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 regulation
  • Proficiency in water/wastewater sampling methods, analytical testing procedures, and interpretation of discharge characterization data in accordance with 40 CFR Part 136 guidelines
  • Knowledge of OPNAV-M 5090.1 (Environmental Readiness Program Manual) and relevant Navy environmental policy documents governing shipboard environmental compliance
  • Proficiency 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 leadership
  • Ability 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 preferred
  • Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret environmental data; experience with statistical methods, data reporting tools, and scientific databases relevant to water quality and wastewater characterization
  • Proficiency with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and database management tools
  • Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance

Desired Qualifications

• Should possess ten (10) years of experience in work related UNDS Support
• Prior experience supporting Navy or DoD UNDS program activities, shipboard discharge studies, or related EPA rulemaking processes
• Familiarity with MARPOL 73/78 Annex IV (Sewage from Ships) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) environmental requirements applicable to Navy vessels
• Experience with water/wastewater sampling and analysis, including EPA-approved test procedures (40 CFR Part 136) and laboratory quality assurance protocols
• Knowledge of shipboard environmental systems including gray water, black water, sewage, and bilge water management technologies
• Experience developing or delivering environmental training, outreach programs, or awareness campaigns for technical and non-technical audiences
• Prior experience with CDRL preparation and delivery in a DoD or federal government contract environment
• Understanding of the Navy Modernization Process (NMP) and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) as they relate to environmental system upgrades
• Experience working with NAVSEA, EPA, or state environmental agencies on federal or state permit programs, discharge monitoring, or regulatory compliance activities

Overview

Overview

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. We bring together leading scientific, engineering, and management expertise in a culture grounded in objectivity and collaboration, ensuring our work creates lasting impact across federal missions.

We work with a broad range of government agencies in the defense, intelligence, and federal civilian sectors. Learn more and find opportunities at careers.noblis.org

Why Work at Noblis

At Noblis, we share a passion for excellence and innovation, and we create an environment where people can do meaningful work while maintaining the balance that keeps them energized and fulfilled. We seek out individuals with a natural curiosity and desire to collaborate and learn. We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we consistently seek exceptionally skilled, mission-driven professionals who care deeply about doing work that enriches lives and makes our nation safer.

Noblis has earned numerous workplace awards for our culture, our commitment to employee well-being, and our dedication to meaningful, impactful work. We also maintain a drug-free workplace.

Remote/hybrid status is subject to change based on Noblis and/or government requirements.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us .

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Total Rewards

At Noblis we recognize and reward your contributions, provide you with growth opportunities, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Benefits page on our Careers site.

Compensation at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is based on full time status. For part time or on-call staff, compensation is proportionately adjusted based on hours worked. While monetary compensation is important, it's just one component of Noblis' total compensation package.

Posted Salary Range

USD $86,800.00 - USD $135,625.00 /Yr.