Environmental Scientist

Responsibilities

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.

The Scientist (UNDS) 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. This role 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.

This position 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. The Scientist coordinates 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.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities (UNDS Support)

• Review state, federal, and international policies and regulations affecting shipboard wastewater discharge management
• Summarize regulatory findings in clear, actionable scientific reports for program leadership and stakeholders
• Identify and assess the impacts of proposed or enacted regulatory changes on Navy UNDS program compliance obligations
• Monitor EPA rulemaking, Congressional legislation, and international conventions (e.g., MARPOL Annex IV) for UNDS relevance
• Characterize discharges from Navy vessels using biological sampling, chemical analysis, and physical measurements per 40 CFR Part 1700
• Conduct biological sampling, toxicity testing, and bioassay methods to assess discharge characteristics and environmental impacts
• Apply EPA-approved test methods (40 CFR 136) and Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater for all analytical work
• Collect and analyze water quality data from discharge streams aboard Navy vessels; maintain chain of custody and QA/QC protocols
• Support preparation of discharge characterization reports and data summaries (CDRL A002)
• Coordinate with laboratories and field teams for sampling and analytical services as required; utilize LIMS for data management
• Support the development of Navy regulations, policies, and guidelines in response to UNDS requirements
• Draft and review UNDS-related policy documents, standards, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) drawing on biological science expertise
• Coordinate with NAVSEA, EPA, and Navy program offices to develop scientifically sound regulatory responses
• Assist in the preparation of Navy comments on proposed federal and state environmental rulemakings affecting biological and water quality standards
• Conduct outreach and awareness training for Navy personnel on UNDS requirements, discharge standards, and compliance procedures
• Develop training materials, presentations, and informational resources on biological sampling and water quality for Fleet and program office audiences
• Support creation of awareness campaigns and educational content related to shipboard environmental stewardship and discharge management
• Deliver training in multiple formats including classroom, aboard ship, and through informational products
• Manage supporting documentation arising from UNDS regulatory, policy, sampling, and outreach activities
• Track actions and decisions resulting from regulatory reviews, policy development, laboratory analyses, and program meetings
• Maintain program records, laboratory data files, and correspondence related to UNDS compliance activities
• Prepare status reports and action item logs for program leadership review; ensure QA/QC documentation is current and complete
• Plan, coordinate, and attend program reviews, conferences, symposia, and other programmatic and technical meetings related to UNDS work
• Prepare agendas, scientific presentation materials, and meeting minutes for UNDS-related events
• Represent NSWCDD UNDS program at interagency, Fleet, and external stakeholder forums as appropriate
• Track and follow up on action items arising from meetings and technical exchanges
• Provide analytical services for laboratory and shipboard/pier-side testing of water and wastewater quality and characterization
• Conduct water and wastewater sampling in accordance with EPA-approved test methods (40 CFR 136) and Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
• Perform biological, chemical, and physical analytical testing and analyses using calibrated laboratory equipment and instrumentation
• Apply statistical validation and QA/QC protocols to all analytical data; document results in LIMS and prepare analytical reports
• Support whole effluent toxicity (WET) testing and bioassay studies for discharge characterization
• Conduct studies on shipboard environmental systems and shore-side discharge operations
• Perform legislative reviews, rulemaking analyses, and international treaty reviews relevant to biological water quality standards
• Analyze regulatory documents for their impact and relevance to Navy programs and UNDS compliance
• Draft standards and regulations; prepare supporting scientific presentations and briefing materials
• Provide scientific data analysis, interpretation of laboratory results, and statistical projections related to discharge characterization and biological sampling
• Support UNDS compliance data reporting, trend analysis, and QA/QC reviews of analytical data
• Prepare data summaries, charts, and visualizations for program reports and briefings
• Write, review, edit, provide comments on, and revise scientific and technical documents including laboratory reports, sampling plans, and SOPs
• Develop technical assessments and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for biological sampling and analytical procedures
• Review and develop drawings; rewrite/incorporate revisions into existing documents
• Attend technical and programmatic meetings; provide minutes and track action items to completion
• Arrange, organize, coordinate, schedule, and facilitate events including meetings, program reviews, and symposia
• Design and develop informational posters, brochures, specification sheets, and scientific outreach materials