Advance Your Career as an ESH&Q Specialist with the NNSA

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is currently seeking a highly skilled Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) Specialist to join the Savannah River Field Office. This senior-level position is vital to the NNSA mission, providing critical oversight and technical expertise in high-hazard nuclear environments. If you are an analytical professional dedicated to safety culture and operational excellence, this role offers an unparalleled opportunity to influence national security.

Job Responsibilities

As an ESH&Q Specialist, you will act as a primary technical authority. Your responsibilities include:

Serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the integration of safety, health, and quality assurance programs.
Advising site leadership and contractor management on safety culture maturity.
Leading advanced incident investigations and conducting root-cause analyses.
Formulating and tracking corrective action plans (CAPs) to ensure operational risks are mitigated.
Interpreting complex DOE and NNSA directives to optimize site-wide environmental and safety protocols.

Quick Comparison: Role Impact

Responsibility Area	Impact Level	Goal
Safety Oversight	High	Reduce operational hazards
Root-Cause Analysis	High	Prevent incident recurrence
Regulatory Policy	Medium	Ensure compliance
Technical Advisory	High	Influence site leadership

Requirements

To be considered for this role, you must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at the NQ-02 or GS-12 equivalent level. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and able to maintain a Q-level security clearance. You will also be subject to random drug testing, reflecting the sensitivity of the work environment.

Salary Overview

This position offers a highly competitive federal salary, ranging from $106,437 to $163,514 per year. The salary is commensurate with experience and follows the NNSA Demonstration Project pay structure.

Benefits

Working for the NNSA provides access to robust federal benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, a generous retirement program (FERS), life insurance, and paid time off. You will also receive world-class training through the DOE’s Technical Qualification Program.

Application Tips

Respect the Constraints: Your resume must be strictly limited to two pages. Exceeding this limit will result in immediate disqualification.
Evidence-Based: Ensure your resume highlights specific, quantifiable achievements related to ESH&Q programs.
Assessments: Complete your USA Hire assessment within the requested timeframe—missing the 48-hour window will invalidate your application.
Documents: Upload your two most recent performance appraisals; if unavailable, provide a brief written explanation.

The ESH&Q Specialist role is a unique chance to shape safety standards within one of the most critical sectors of the federal government. With a generous salary and the opportunity to work on mission-critical national security projects, this position is ideal for candidates ready to transition into a high-impact leadership role.

Why This Environment, Safety, Health And Quality Specialist Job Matters

Join the National Nuclear Security Administration and lead critical safety, health, and quality initiatives at the Savannah River Field Office.

Environment, Safety, Health And Quality Specialist Job Overview

The NNSA is seeking a dedicated Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality (ESH&Q) Specialist to oversee high-hazard nuclear operations. You will serve as a subject matter expert, providing strategic guidance to site leadership, facilitating complex safety evaluations, and ensuring that our environmental and safety programs exceed regulatory standards while maintaining mission readiness.

Requirements for Environment, Safety, Health And Quality Specialist

U.S. Citizenship is mandatory.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Q-level security clearance.
Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and participate in random drug testing.
Must meet requirements of the Technical Qualification Program (TQP) within 18 months of appointment.
Completion of a one-year probationary period may be required.
Compliance with Selective Service registration for eligible males.
Adherence to Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) identity protocols.

Preferred Qualifications for Environment, Safety, Health And Quality Specialist

Experience applying programmatic oversight in high-hazard nuclear or complex industrial environments.
Proficiency in developing and implementing corrective action plans (CAPs).
Expertise in performing root-cause analyses and incident investigations.
Demonstrated ability to communicate technical ESH&Q requirements to executive leadership.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive federal health insurance and retirement plans.
✓Competitive salary range with potential for incentives.
✓Opportunities for professional development and technical certification.
✓Work-life balance through telework eligibility.
✓Exposure to national-level nuclear security missions.

💡 How to Apply Environment, Safety, Health And Quality Specialist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Environment, Safety, Health And Quality Specialist Job

Create or update your account on login.gov to access USAJOBS.
Prepare a resume limited to exactly two pages detailing your specialized experience.
Navigate to the official USAJobs application portal using the link provided.
Submit your resume, performance appraisals, and relevant SF-50 documentation.
Complete the required online assessment within 48 hours of your submission.
Submit your application package before the deadline on July 21, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Strictly follow the two-page limit for your resume; additional pages will lead to automatic disqualification.
Ensure your resume explicitly maps your experience to the specialized requirements listed in the announcement.
Check your application status frequently via your USAJOBS account dashboard.
Submit your performance appraisals early to avoid processing errors.
Double-check your responses against the online questionnaire to ensure they align with your uploaded documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What level of security clearance is required for this role?

This position requires a Q-level Security Clearance, which is a high-level access authorization for nuclear material and facility work.

Is telework available for this position?

Yes, this position is designated as telework-eligible, subject to agency policy and position requirements.

Are there education requirements for this role?

There are no specific degree requirements. However, you must possess one year of specialized experience at the NQ-02 or GS-12 grade level.

Job from National Nuclear Security Administration

The NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Its primary mission includes enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science, maintaining the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, and promoting international nuclear non-proliferation. Working at the Savannah River Field Office places you at the heart of complex operations that demand the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance.