Jobs › Argonne National Laboratory

Waste Specialist

Argonne National Laboratory · Lemont, IL · $86,299–$134,626 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found a compliance problem in waste handling. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they act on problems quickly and follow reporting rules rather than quietly fixing and moving on.

Describe how you balance the cost of disposal with doing things fully by the rules.

What they are checking: Whether they look for legitimate savings without ever cutting corners on compliance.

What would you do

A waste generator keeps mislabeling containers. How do you fix that without making them avoid you?

What they are checking: Whether they can coach researchers into compliance and keep generators willing to ask for help.

How would you set up waste stream segregation for a new project so that waste is profiled correctly from day one?

What they are checking: Whether they plan waste handling early, which cuts both cost and regulatory risk.

Analytical results come back and the numbers are near a classification limit. How do you decide?

What they are checking: Whether they handle borderline data conservatively and document the reasoning behind the call.

About the work

Walk me through how you would characterize an unknown waste stream from a lab cleanout, from sampling to classification.

What they are checking: Whether they can build a defensible characterization using sampling plans, process knowledge and analytical results.

How do you decide whether a waste is RCRA hazardous, radioactive, mixed or TSCA regulated?

What they are checking: Whether they understand how the different regulations overlap and where mixed waste gets complicated.

A shipment is headed to EnergySolutions or NNSS. How do you make sure it meets their waste acceptance criteria?

What they are checking: Whether they know that a rejected shipment is costly and can create compliance trouble, and how to prevent that.

How do you write a work instruction for packaging operations so field crews follow it correctly the first time?

What they are checking: Whether they can write clear, usable procedures for people doing hands-on work with hazardous materials.

How do you use Excel or other tools to track waste inventories and shipments?

What they are checking: Whether they keep organized, accurate records that hold up in inspections and audits.

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The full job description

As published by Argonne National Laboratory.

Argonne is seeking a Specialist who will work with minimal supervision to plan and assist with radioactive, hazardous, chemical, and abatement materials management, characterization, and packaging. In addition, works with onsite waste generators to ensure they remain compliant with DOE, EPA, and Laboratory policies, procedures, and guidelines. Roles and Responsibilities • Provide technical support to generators and projects for accurate and complete characterization of their wastes. • Develop waste sampling plans, and interpret the analytical results to determine radiological, hazardous and Department of Transportation (DOT) classifications. • Comprehensive training and understanding of regulations and standards applicable to waste management and transportation (e.g., CERCLA, RCRA, TSCA, DOT, NRC, EPA, TSDF Waste Acceptance Criteria). • Extensive knowledge of waste management processes and requirements. • Working knowledge of radioactive and hazardous waste characterization and management. • Efficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). • Assisting the waste shipper in conducting shipments to various TSDF’s (EnergySolutions, NNSS, Clean Harbors, Stericycle, etc.). • Write detailed work instruction documents to help facilitate processing and packaging operations to field personnel. • Identifies waste streams for segregation by waste profile. • Ensures Waste Acceptance Criteria requirements are met for various TSDF’s. • Ensure waste packages contain no prohibited items per waste profile and TSDF requirements. • Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork. ​ This job description documents the general nature of work but is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities, duties and responsibilities required of job incumbent. Consequently, job incumbent may be required to perform other duties as assigned. Position Requirements To perform the essential functions of this position successful applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, which is required to comply with federal regulations and contract. • ​Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering, or equivalent experience. • Three-Five years of experience in the field of waste management and/or transportation. • Experience must demonstrate technical competence in managing and shipping hazardous and radioactive waste in compliance with applicable standards and regulations including CERCLA, RCRA, TSCA, DOT and in accordance with common TSDF Waste Acceptance Criteria requirements. Preferred Requirements • DOT shipper certification • Radiation Worker I • OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER plus the annual 8-hour refresher Job Family Professional Technical (PT) Job Profile Waste Management 3 Worker Type Regular Time Type Full time The expected hiring range for this position is $86,299.00 - $134,626.05. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits! As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law. Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department. All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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