Field Chemist

About the role

The Field Chemist serves as the technical lead responsible for chemical characterization, hazardous-waste determinations, transportation compliance, and regulatory oversight. This position provides technical direction to junior staff, serves as the Environmental Subject Matter Expert (SME), and ensures all work complies with applicable DOE, EPA, DOT, OSHA, NRC, and state regulations. The role supports the complete lifecycle of hazardous, mixed, and laboratory chemical disposition activities and involves both indoor and outdoor work at plants, labs, and customer sites, including lab packs, household hazardous waste (HHW) collections, and laboratory cleanouts. This is NOT a laboratory-based chemist position.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Health and Safety is the number one priority by complying with all safe work practices, policies, and processes.
• Lead chemical characterization activities for laboratory chemicals and unknown materials.
• Verify chemical identities using process knowledge, analytical data, and field observations.
• Make hazardous-waste determinations under RCRA.
• Evaluate unknown materials and recommend treatment or disposal pathways.
• Direct sampling activities and review analytical results.
• Determine compatibility for bulking and lab packing.
• Prepare or review waste profiles and disposal documentation.
• Review and approve shipping papers, manifests, and Bills of Lading.
• Conduct required DOT pre-shipment peer reviews.
• Verify packaging, marking, labeling, placarding, and container selection.
• Ensure compliance with DOT, EPA, DOE, TSDF Waste Acceptance Criteria, and applicable regulations.
• Coordinate with disposal facilities and transportation providers.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety, efficiency, and waste disposition processes.
• Follow all local, state, and federal compliance regulations and rules.
• Safely operate vehicles in accordance with U.S. DOT, local, state, and federal requirements.
• Prepare computer-generated packing lists, labels, manifests, and land disposal restriction notifications.
• Collect, segregate, and properly package waste chemicals for disposal to maximize efficiency and maintain compliance.
• Sample materials and unpack hazardous waste at Perma-Fix owned treatment facilities.
• Input data using company software.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental science, natural science, or related field.
• Previous lab packing experience preferred.
• Understanding of Federal and State Environmental and Transportation regulations; DOT and RCRA experience preferred.
• Must have valid driver’s license with clean driving record.
• Able to pass a physical exam, drug screen, and background check.
• Willing and able to travel to customer sites.
• Ability to obtain a Class B CDL.
• Currently hold a 40-hour HAZWOPER certification (with 8-hour refresher) or ability to pass course upon hire.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and professionalism when interacting with customers and team members.
• Ability to pass Respirator fit test certification.
• Ability to regularly lift or move objects weighing 40 lbs or more.