In this edition of Behind the Scenes at the Nuclear Waste Program, we talked with Moises Guevara, our Tank Waste Treatment Unit Supervisor.
Moises teaching future haz mat technicians at a training about oil car fires.
Much more than a job
Moises Guevara helps lead the team regulating treatment of Hanford’s tank waste. He supports the section manager with various duties and oversees the section’s permit writers.
Moises’ upbeat attitude has had a positive impact in the office and among team members since he started his position in 2022.
His firefighting and emergency response background made settling into his new, sometimes high-stress role as an environmental regulator feel seamless. Despite his experience, Moises jokes that "starting a new job is like being a teenager all over again!"
Moises' favorite Haz Mat helmet.
His compassion for others drives work. In his past role working as a surgical tech, he often assisted cancer patients. He talked to them and was a helpful hand while they were in treatment and recovery.
Moises was also an active member of the emergency response following Hurricane Katrina. He provided logistics for 911, personal protective equipment, electrical generators, and coordinated emergency response efforts across the country.
His life adventures continue to be encouraging and inspiring, even as he shifts into regulating hazardous and radioactive tank waste at the nation’s biggest nuclear waste cleanup.
An inspiring place to be
Moises assisting victims of Hurricane Katrina.
“I wake up every morning happy, feeling blessed that I have the opportunity to still be on the planet,” Moises said.
Moises enjoys the culture Ecology provides its workers. He said the state’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) values opened his eyes to other people’s feelings, needs, and personal situations. These values come in handy in his management role, and taking these trainings helped Moises shape his leadership style. He believes in giving support to employees so that they can have a positive experience in the workplace.
“I am proud of being Latino. I have always embraced that part of me, and have strived to be better and show the next generation that they can be even better than us,” Moises said. “I always ask myself: ‘What can I do to make this work better?'”
Moises enjoys that his work is different every day, which keeps the job exciting. One day Moises might be supporting a permit writer, while another day he may be meeting with tank-waste contractors to see their progress.
“It feels more like a family than a job, and that’s when you know you are in the right place,” Moises said.
Background and current job
Moises served 22 years as a firefighter. Later, he worked emergency response as Project Manager and a private consultant. Working in the waste industry brought him to the Pacific Northwest where he felt a deep connection with Washington.
When an opportunity to work at Ecology presented itself, he applied.
“I fell in love with this state, and the job encompassed everything I believe in: serving people and the environment. This is our home, and we must take care of it for our kids and their kids,” Moises said.
Moises performing environmental cleanup of toxic soil.
Moises considers Hanford to be the most unique project that he has worked on. Not only is it interesting that this cleanup requires several decades to clean up, but securing the budget is vital for the cleanup to continue.
Moises admires the teamwork at Ecology’s Nuclear Waste Program. Everyone works towards one goal—to protect Washington’s people and environment.
“Being able to leave your mark and leave other people learning about your successes, and even your errors, is the best legacy for the future,” Moises said.
Family and seeing the world through his lens
Moises at the 2024 Prosser Salmon Festival.
Moises is a family man. His love for his family is evident when he talks about them, and his big smile can’t be contained. Some of his favorite pastimes include spending time with his four children and 12 grandkids, cooking, reading, and traveling.
One of his biggest achievements is having visited 45 states in the U.S. so far!
“I get to travel all over the country, and I love it!” Moises said.
For the future generations
Moises teaching kids about Hanford wildlife at an outreach event.
“It is always inspiring to see youth that need guidance and help them pursue their dreams in a meaningful way,” Moises said.
Moises regularly supports educational and outreach events. He often teaches youth about wildlife at Hanford or talks about his job at career fairs around town. He believes youth that want to get involved in protecting the environment should look at what can be done at a local level and get involved in the community to make a difference.
“The Nuclear Waste Program helps you be the best employee you can be by providing everything you need to succeed at your job,” Moises said. "Come check us out!"