Remedial Project Manager (RPM)

About the role

The Remedial Project Manager (RPM) is within MassDEP’s Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup (BWSC), whose mission is to implement M.G.L. Chapter 21E and administer the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP, 310 CMR 40.0000). The program ensures timely and effective responses to over 1,500 environmental emergencies per year and oversees assessment and cleanup of more than 58,000 confirmed and suspected hazardous waste sites in Massachusetts. The RPM will oversee the investigation and cleanup of federal hazardous waste sites across the state, collaborating with federal agencies, responsible parties, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance with CERCLA, the MCP, and other applicable regulations while protecting human health and the environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Remedial Project Manager (RPM) for assigned Massachusetts CERCLA and/or Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS), representing MassDEP’s interests throughout investigation and cleanup activities.
• Review technical documents, work plans, sampling plans, Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs), environmental data, and technical reports to ensure compliance with CERCLA, the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP), and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Evaluate site investigations, human health and ecological risk assessments, feasibility studies, and remedy selection documents to ensure response actions are protective of human health and the environment.
• Conduct field oversight of investigation and remedial activities to monitor progress, verify compliance with project plans, and ensure work is completed effectively.
• Prepare and communicate technical comments, recommendations, and findings through written reports, correspondence, and project meetings.
• Collaborate with MassDEP staff, attorneys, EPA, the Department of Defense, responsible parties, consultants, and other stakeholders to advance site investigations, remedy selection, and cleanup activities.
• Assist in identifying Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) and support the development and negotiation of legal agreements, including Consent Decrees, Statements of Work, and Institutional Controls.
• Manage MassDEP contractors performing remedial investigations, operations, maintenance, and monitoring activities, including developing scopes of work, overseeing schedules and budgets, and reviewing deliverables.
• Support the procurement of environmental contractors for state-managed CERCLA projects and technical review activities.
• Represent MassDEP’s interests with federal partners to ensure federal sites are managed in accordance with CERCLA, the MCP, and state environmental priorities.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide technical guidance to lower-level staff, as assigned.
• Maintain technical and regulatory expertise through ongoing professional development and perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental engineering, civil engineering, sanitary engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or public health engineering and (B) of which at least three years must have been in a professional capacity and (C) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions

• An Associate’s degree with a major in civil engineering or civil engineering technology may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree with a major in environmental engineering, civil engineering, civil engineering technology, sanitary engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or public health engineering may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.
• A Graduate degree with a major in environmental engineering, civil engineering, sanitary engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or public health engineering may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience. Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the CERCLA program, including applicable federal statutes, regulations, and guidance.
• Knowledge of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) and M.G.L. Chapter 21E, including their application to hazardous waste site cleanup.
• Experience managing or overseeing complex environmental site investigations, risk assessments, remedial design, cleanup, and long-term monitoring.
• Experience interpreting and applying CERCLA, MCP, and Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) during site assessment and remediation.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including technical, legal, regulatory, and financial stakeholders.
• Experience managing environmental contractors, including procurement, scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and performance oversight.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing technical reports and presenting information to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (especially Excel) and database tools for data analysis, reporting, and technical documentation.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, manage multiple projects, and respond effectively to emerging program needs.
• Demonstrated sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information.