Becky Mitschele is an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit writer who works at the intersection of environmental regulation and microbiology, focusing on wastewater systems and their impact on public and ecosystem health. Her work involves analyzing influent and effluent wastewater samples, managing biosolids, and working with large scale animal agriculture facilities to better understand treatment processes, manure management, and discharge outcomes under the NPDES permitting program. She provides insight into navigating careers in environmental science, policy making, and public service, while also offering an overview of wastewater permitting, regulatory considerations, and current “hot topics” in wastewater management.
Prior to joining EPA in 2009, Becky had a variety of jobs, including working as a soil science lab technician, an emergency preparedness planner, remediating leaking underground storage tanks sites, and managing nonpoint source pollution activities for the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Newcastle, Australia and a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from the University of Hawai'i.