POSITION: Scientist III, Environmental Management Systems Coordinator

Department: Site Environmental Compliance (Carlsbad, NM)

LATA has an immediate opening for an individual with experience in the environmental field, specifically related to work scope associated with maintaining an Environmental Management System (EMS) to the current ISO 14001:2015 standard. This position entails continued application of the standard’s requirements for the WIPP site, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility near Carlsbad, New Mexico. The WIPP facility is approximately a 45-minute commute from Carlsbad or about a 1-hour commute from Hobbs, New Mexico.

The successful individual will be responsible for coordination with the DOE and LATA contractor departments in development, tracking, and status of environmental targets and objectives. The successful candidate will conduct routine meetings and coordinate with other departments in conducting the EMS functions. This position entails maintaining spreadsheets of activities and updating the status of current EMS targets. In conjunction with working with the direct elements of the EMS, the candidate will also support the Pollution Prevention Program. This program oversees the collection and management of standard solid waste, but the main function is to ensure that recyclable materials are segregated, and a quality accounting system is maintained for amounts of recycled materials. Activities overseen as part the Pollution Prevention Program directly correlate to the EMS program elements. As a function of the EMS and Pollution Prevention Program, the amounts of recycled materials are reported annually in various environmental reports submitted to the state of New Mexico, DOE at WIPP, and DOE offices in Washington D.C.

The successful candidate will also support other environmental activities as secondary work scope to the EMS program. These activities are related to overall state and federal regulatory compliance requirements applicable to a DOE facility.

• Coordination with WIPP organizations in acquiring a status of completion for their groups’ EMS targets.
• Provide guidance to facility organizations on how their programs may be tailored to generate EMS annual targets.
• Conduct quarterly Environmental Management System Steering Committee (EMSSC) meetings discussing the percent completion on targets, along with EMS subjects germane to the EMSSC at large.
• Coordinate with the Engineering Department’s Energy Manager for their compilation and submittal of the Site Sustainability Plan.
• Be able to write clear and organized reports and other documents that effectively communicate ideas, identify problems/solutions, and the status of projects. Annually summarize EMS activities for various compliance reports that are submitted to federal and state regulators.
• Inform the SIMCO Program Manager of the progress and status of the EMS on an annual basis.
• Present EMS topics to facility personnel during site-wide meetings.
• Plan and coordinate triennial (3-year) certification audits and annual/semi-annual interim audits.
• Support regulatory compliance applicable to ensuring adherence to federal and New Mexico environmental regulations.

Key Interfaces:

• Pollution Prevention Coordinator
• Sustainability Coordinator
• Energy Manager
• EMSSC members
• SIMCO Program Manager
• DOE Carlsbad Field Office personnel

• Bachelor of Science degree in Science, Engineering, or equivalent area.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in the area of EMS and the ISO 14001 standard.
• Knowledge of environmental laws and regulations.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with other individuals and project groups is highly encouraged.
• Attention to detail. Initiative is required.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office to prepare Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and reports.
• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with various site-wide departments and organizations.