Environmental Scientist

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Provides scientific research, biological analysis, and technical support to the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCDD) in the area of Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) program execution.
• Applies biological science expertise to support the Navy's compliance with 40 CFR 1700 and related state, federal, and international wastewater management policies affecting Navy vessels and operations.
• Applies scientific methodology, including biological sampling, toxicity testing, bioassay methods, and EPA-approved test methods (40 CFR 136), to discharge characterization, water quality analysis, and regulatory impact assessment.
• Coincides with EPA, state regulatory agencies, Navy program offices, and Fleet units to support requirements development, discharge characterization, and policy compliance for the Navy's UNDS program.
• The candidate is responsible for UNDS task areas and must apply rigorous QA/QC protocols, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater to ensure scientifically defensible results.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology from an accredited College or University.
• Shall possess at least approximately five (5) years of experience in work related to Uniform National Discharge Standards (UNDS) and its impact on Navy operations and vessels.
• 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 of the Armed Forces.
• Strong foundation in biology, including microbiology, aquatic biology, or marine biology, as applied to water quality analysis, discharge characterization, biological sampling, and assessment of environmental impacts from shipboard discharges.
• Proficiency in water and wastewater sampling techniques; skilled in applying EPA-approved test methods (40 CFR 136) and Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater for all laboratory and field analyses.
• Demonstrated experience implementing QA/QC protocols in laboratory and field settings; proficiency with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), chain of custody documentation, and laboratory equipment calibration and maintenance.
• Proficiency in scientific data analysis, statistical validation, and interpretation of laboratory results; ability to apply quantitative methods to support UNDS compliance reporting and discharge characterization studies.
• Familiarity with federal environmental statutes (Clean Water Act, NEPA) and international treaties (MARPOL 73/78 Annex IV) applicable to ship waste management and discharge regulation; ability to assess regulatory impacts on Navy biological testing programs.
• Knowledge of OPNAV-M 5090.1 (Environmental Readiness Program Manual) and relevant Navy environmental policy documents governing shipboard environmental compliance and biological monitoring requirements.
• Strong scientific writing skills; proficiency with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), LIMS, scientific databases, and data analysis tools.
• Preparation of sampling plans, laboratory reports, technical assessments, and regulatory analyses; ability to communicate complex biological and technical findings to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Should possess ten (10) years of experience in work related to UNDS Support.
• Prior experience supporting Navy or DoD UNDS program execution, particularly in biological sampling or discharge characterization studies.
• Familiarity with MARPOL 73/78 Annex IV (Sewage from Ships) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) environmental requirements applicable to Navy vessels.
• Experience with EPA-approved testing procedures per 40 CFR 136 (Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants), including biological and chemical test methods.
• Knowledge of shipboard environmental systems including Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs), oily water separators, ballast water treatment systems, and associated biological monitoring requirements.
• Experience with whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing, biological monitoring, and bioassay protocol development for effluent characterization.
• Prior experience with Navy Fleet support and shipboard biological sampling or pier-side discharge characterization operations.
• Experience with CDRL preparation and delivery in a DoD contract environment.
• Knowledge of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA) and their application to vessel discharge analysis.
• Familiarity with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and ecological risk assessment methods.