Washington State Department of Ecology: Ecology’s Nuclear Waste Program encourages young people to give science a try
Over the last few decades, the Tri-Cities has made considerable investment in creating opportunities for children to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with Delta High School and a number of STEM-focused schools opening.
The Department of Ecology’s Nuclear Waste Program has long supported STEM with our outreach team teaching at STEMcon, visiting classrooms and presenting at Salmon Summit. Local leaders in STEM point out “kids can’t be what they can’t see,” so it is critical to reach out to all communities. Introducing students to environmental scientists, engineers, electricians, etc., helps them build goals.
The importance of educating students about Hanford cleanup and what skill sets are needed for regulators is an investment in the long game for our agency. Very low unemployment rates nationally mean skilled workers are in high demand.
To get the best talent we can, it is important to share the benefits of working in civil service with teens and young adults. Career counselors may overlook civil service, and we must compete with big corporations and big recruiting budgets, not to mention cooler freebies at career fairs!
To that end, our Nuclear Waste Program is ramping up its workforce development efforts. We are attending more college career fairs and school science fairs.
“We have a number of talented staff who have supported STEM and career fairs in the area,” said Nuclear Waste Program manager Alex Smith. “My team is eager to encourage young people and help them understand the important work we do as world-class regulators. Because Hanford is a multi-generational cleanup effort, it is important we have the best talent available in the next generation of workers.” In addition, we are hoping to offer regular internship opportunities in the future.
While at career fairs, we also share information about work performed by other Ecology programs, such as spills, air quality, water resources and toxic reductions.
Ecology offers two remarkable programs that, though not related to Hanford, are vital to our state. Our Ecology Youth Corps puts kids aged 14-17 to work cleaning up our roadways. These jobs teach teamwork and communications, and they pay $13.50 an hour. The program has gathered more than a million pounds of litter and employs 300 kids across the state each year.
The Washington Conservation Corps employs 18-25 year olds and veterans in meaningful jobs that benefit our environment, such as habitat restoration and recreational upgrades on our public lands. They even help after natural disasters. These team and individual placements are part of AmeriCorps, and provide a living allowance and scholarships, as well as health care. GED benefits, regulatory training and, in some cases, college credit may also be available.
Crew leader positions start around $35,000 a year, with benefits. Supervisors receive management training (and experience) and may earn certifications in environmental programs such as Hazwoper (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response), Pesticide Applicator and Wilderness First Responder.
Ecology works at Hanford and across the state to protect human health and the environment. The Nuclear Waste Program’s main role is to ensure the safe and compliant cleanup of Hanford. Dedicating a small portion of our staff time to educating area students, demonstrating potential careers in environmental science and regulatory work, or providing a first job or internship, is a worthwhile investment in meeting cleanup goals and supporting a healthy community and region.
Visit the ecology.wa.gov and search Hanford to learn more about Nuclear Waste Program efforts at Hanford. Like us on Facebook at EcologyWAHanford, or follow us on Twitter @ecyHanford.
This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Washington State Department of Ecology: Ecology’s Nuclear Waste Program encourages young people to give science a try."