Waste Characterization Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Standard Nuclear is fueling America's nuclear renaissance at industrial scale. Our mission is to deliver the essential building blocks of nuclear power-enabling cost-effective, safe, and secure energy for the world. 

The Hazardous Waste Specialist supports the safe, compliant management and shipment of radioactive, hazardous, mixed, universal, and non-hazardous waste across Standard Nuclear's operations. 

This hands-on role performs waste characterization, packaging, labeling, documentation, inspection, shipment coordination, and disposition activities in accordance with applicable environmental, transportation, radiological, and site requirements. 

The position works closely with Operations, EH&S, Radiological Controls, laboratories, transporters, and disposal facilities to maintain accurate records, resolve waste acceptance issues, and support safe field execution. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Waste Characterization & Management 

• Identify, characterize, package, label, store, and disposition radioactive, hazardous, mixed, universal, and non-hazardous waste. 

• Evaluate processes, safety data sheets, analytical results, sampling data, and radiological survey information to support waste determinations and waste codes. 

• Develop waste profiles, verify Waste Acceptance Criteria, and determine appropriate treatment, recycling, or disposal pathways. 

• Conduct field walkdowns and inspections of accumulation areas, storage locations, containers, and shipment staging areas. 

• Support waste minimization, recycling, spill response, and corrective action activities. 

Packaging, Shipping & Transportation 

• Prepare radioactive and hazardous materials for shipment, including container selection, packaging, labeling, and contamination controls. 

• Prepare and review records to ensure proper documentation with regards to hazardous materials 

• Coordinate shipments with approved vendors, treatment facilities, and disposal sites. 

• Confirm shipment classifications, documentation, emergency response information, and facility acceptance requirements before release. 

• Prepare or support radioactive material shipments, including applicable DOT Class 7 classification, packaging, marking, labeling, documentation, and coordination with Radiological Controls. 

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation 

• Support compliance with RCRA, DOT/PHMSA hazardous materials regulations, applicable radioactive material transportation requirements, and state and site procedures. 

• Maintain complete, accurate, and inspection-ready waste, transportation, training, and disposal records. 

• Support internal and external audits, assessments, regulatory inspections, and customer documentation requests. 

• Identify waste-related issues or nonconforming conditions and support practical corrective actions. 

• Follow environmental permits, radiation protection requirements, company safety policies, and approved work procedures. 

Operational Coordination & Safety 

• Partner with Operations, EH&S, Radiological Controls, Engineering, Quality, and laboratory teams to plan and execute waste handling activities. 

• Coordinate with waste generators and external facilities to resolve profile, packaging, documentation, or acceptance issues. 

• Use required PPE, monitoring equipment, and contamination control practices while working in industrial, laboratory, and controlled environments. 

• Communicate shipment status, compliance risks, and field conditions clearly to internal and external stakeholders. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Health Physics, Engineering, Occupational Safety, or a related field preferred. 

• 2-5 years of experience in hazardous or radioactive waste management, environmental compliance, regulated transportation, or treatment, storage, and disposal operations. 

• Working knowledge of RCRA hazardous waste requirements, DOT hazardous materials regulations, hazardous waste manifesting, and radioactive material shipping practices. 

• Advanced Radioactive Maintenance Shipper Certification is required. 

• Trained in DOT requirement 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H also required. 

• Hands-on experience with waste characterization, packaging, labeling, inspections, waste profiles, manifests, shipping papers, and recordkeeping. 

• Ability to interpret regulations, permits, procedures, analytical data, safety data sheets, and disposal facility acceptance criteria. 

• Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and ability to coordinate work across operations, safety, laboratory, carrier, and disposal teams. 

• Experience in nuclear, DOE, NRC, national laboratory, remediation, chemical processing, or another regulated industrial environment preferred. 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, waste tracking databases, environmental management systems, or document control systems. 

Certifications & Training 

Candidates must possess or be able to complete required training within the applicable timeframe, including DOT hazardous materials transportation, RCRA hazardous waste management, Radiation Worker II, Hazard Communication/GHS, and waste manifest and shipping paper training. 

CHMM, CDGP, CPWM, CEP, or comparable waste and hazardous materials certifications are preferred but not required. 

BENEFITS 

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance 

• Health Savings Account 

• Disability and Life Insurance 

• 401(k) Plan 

• Paid Time Off and Holidays 

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

This role is based in Oak Ridge, TN and involves work across office, laboratory, manufacturing, waste storage, and controlled environments. 

The position requires hands-on waste handling, preparation of regulated shipments, field inspections, and use of required PPE and monitoring equipment. Work must be performed in accordance with applicable safety, radiological, environmental, quality, and operational procedures. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Standard Nuclear is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected status. 

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.