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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Nuclear Waste Coordinator

💰 $75,000 - $125,000

NuclearWaste ManagementEnvironmentalComplianceEnergy

🎯 Role Definition

The Nuclear Waste Coordinator is the linchpin for the safe, compliant, and efficient management of all radioactive and hazardous waste streams within a nuclear facility. This role serves as the primary technical expert and hands-on leader for waste characterization, packaging, transportation, and disposal, ensuring strict adherence to federal, state, and facility-specific regulations. The coordinator acts as a crucial interface between operations, health physics, engineering, and regulatory bodies, safeguarding both personnel and the environment through meticulous planning and execution. This position is not just about following procedures; it's about owning the waste management process from generation to final disposition, actively seeking improvements, and championing a culture of safety and accountability.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Health Physics Technician
  • Radiation Protection Technician
  • Waste Management Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Waste Management Specialist
  • Waste Management Manager
  • Decommissioning Project Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Regulatory Compliance Specialist
  • Health Physicist
  • Environmental Scientist (Nuclear)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Oversee and directly participate in the characterization, segregation, packaging, and labeling of low-level radioactive waste (LLW), mixed waste, and hazardous materials in strict accordance with DOT, NRC, and facility-specific procedures.
  • Develop, review, and revise waste management procedures, work instructions, and associated documentation to ensure they remain current with evolving regulations and industry best practices.
  • Coordinate the logistics of all onsite and offsite shipments of radioactive waste, including preparing shipping manifests, Land Disposal Restriction (LDR) forms, and other required regulatory documentation.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for waste disposal facilities and transportation vendors, managing contracts, schedules, and profile approvals.
  • Manage and maintain a comprehensive inventory of all radioactive and hazardous waste on site using specialized tracking software and database systems.
  • Conduct routine inspections of waste storage areas and satellite accumulation points to ensure full compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
  • Perform detailed characterization of waste streams through sampling, analysis, and process knowledge to ensure accurate classification and profiling for disposal.
  • Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to various site departments regarding waste minimization techniques, proper segregation, and handling protocols.
  • Prepare and submit periodic waste generation and disposal reports to state and federal agencies (e.g., EPA, NRC) as required.
  • Lead the planning and execution of large-scale waste processing campaigns, such as resin dewatering, filter processing, or material compaction.
  • Ensure all personnel involved in waste handling activities are appropriately trained and qualified, and maintain comprehensive training records.
  • Interface with regulatory auditors and inspectors during facility assessments, acting as the subject matter expert for all waste management programs and activities.
  • Manage the procurement and inventory of all necessary supplies for waste management, including containers, labels, absorbent materials, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Develop and implement cost-saving initiatives and waste minimization plans to reduce the overall volume and expense associated with waste disposal.
  • Perform dose assessments and calculations for waste packages to ensure they comply with transportation regulations and disposal site acceptance criteria.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve non-conformance issues related to waste packaging, labeling, or documentation, and develop corrective action plans to prevent recurrence.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests from leadership regarding waste volumes, costs, and compliance metrics.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of the site's overall environmental compliance and decommissioning strategy.
  • Collaborate with engineering and operations to assess the waste-related impacts of proposed plant modifications or new projects.
  • Participate in facility-wide emergency response drills and exercises as a subject matter expert for waste-related incidents.
  • Conduct facility-wide training sessions for personnel on proper waste handling, segregation, and minimization techniques.
  • Participate in industry user groups and conferences to stay abreast of emerging technologies and regulatory changes in waste management.
  • Assist the Health Physics department with radiological surveys and sampling as needed to support waste characterization.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Radioactive Waste Characterization: In-depth knowledge of techniques (sampling, scaling factors, process knowledge) to classify LLW, mixed waste, and Class A, B, C waste.
  • DOT/RCRA/NRC Regulations: Expert-level understanding and practical application of 49CFR (DOT), 40CFR (RCRA), and 10CFR61/10CFR20 (NRC) regulations.
  • Waste Tracking Software: Proficiency with industry-standard waste management software (e.g., Radman, WMS, eMWaste) for inventory control and manifest generation.
  • Technical Procedure Writing: Ability to write, review, and implement clear, concise, and compliant technical procedures for complex tasks.
  • Waste Profiling & Brokering: Experience creating waste profiles for disposal sites and coordinating with waste brokers and processors.
  • Radiation Detection Instrumentation: Hands-on experience using various radiological survey instruments (e.g., gamma spectroscopy, contamination monitors) for waste assessment.
  • HAZWOPER Certification: Current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification with an understanding of hazardous material handling and emergency response.
  • Shipping & Logistics Coordination: Proven ability to prepare complex shipping documentation (e.g., Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifests, Bills of Lading) and manage transportation logistics.
  • Database Management: Skill in maintaining accurate and detailed records within complex database and spreadsheet systems.
  • Radiological Dose Assessment: Ability to perform dose-to-curie calculations and assess package dose rates for transportation and disposal compliance.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: An uncompromising commitment to accuracy in documentation, labeling, and procedural adherence is non-negotiable.
  • Proactive Problem-Solving: Ability to anticipate challenges, identify non-conformances, and independently develop effective and compliant solutions.
  • Clear Communication: Skill in conveying complex technical and regulatory information clearly to diverse audiences, from field technicians to senior management and regulators.
  • Project Coordination: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, campaigns, and shipments simultaneously under tight deadlines.
  • Safety-First Mindset: A deeply ingrained personal commitment to radiological (ALARA) and industrial safety for oneself and the entire team.
  • Adaptability: The capacity to respond effectively to changing priorities, emergent work, and evolving regulatory landscapes.
  • Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work constructively with cross-functional teams (Operations, Maintenance, Health Physics) to achieve common goals.
  • Integrity: A strong ethical foundation and commitment to upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance and operational honesty.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate's Degree in a technical field combined with extensive, directly relevant experience. A High School Diploma or GED may be considered with 10+ years of exceptional, dedicated nuclear waste experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science
  • Health Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Nuclear Engineering or Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5-10 years of progressive, hands-on experience in radioactive and/or hazardous waste management.

Preferred:

  • Experience within a commercial nuclear power plant, Department of Energy (DOE) site, or a nuclear decommissioning environment is highly preferred.
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