Environmental Compliance Specialist

Description Terra-Gen is a growing developer and operator of renewable energy facilities. Most of the company’s facilities are located in California. Under the direction of the Environmental Compliance Manager, this position will primarily engage in providing environmental compliance support to the EHS and Operations teams.

This ideal person is dependable, self-motivated, and only requires general supervision in order to successfully support environmental compliance programs related to renewable energy generating facilities (solar, battery energy storage systems and wind). This individual is expected to represent the EHS team during agency inspections, conduct internal facility inspections, and support the Operations teams, while ensuring environmental compliance duties are completed on time and documented.

The ideal individual understands federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations and conditions of operating permits issued for equipment and facilities. The individual should have great communications skills to provide easy-to-understand guidance as it applies to the operations of the associated facilities.

This role is a full-time and hybrid position, working part-time remotely (from home) and making regular day trips to the facilities in Hinkley, Palm Springs, Mojave, San Diego, Beaumont, and Santa Clarita part-time, to support compliance activities. The individual needs to be located within driving distance to each of the CA facilities to be accessible for the required regular day trips to the facilities. This role may also require out-of-state travel to support the facility and/or office operations in other states, such as Texas and Nevada.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Other duties may be assigned as needed)

• Develop, implement, and continuously monitor company-wide environmental compliance programs with a focus in air pollution control, hazardous materials management, hazardous and universal waste management, water quality and stormwater management, and spill prevention
• Review and summarize facility and equipment operating permits and associated permit conditions
• Compile data collection and prepare and review associated/required compliance submissions and reports for regulatory agencies
• Develop and deliver training on environmental topics to company employees
• Maintain environmental training programs, determine environmental compliance needs for company and personnel, and provide employee training on company standards and procedures compliant with regulations
• Perform regular compliance reviews and field inspections/audits to ensure compliance programs are effective
• Identify potential compliance concerns; develop and implement corrective action plans for long-lasting effective solutions
• Liaise with the EHS team and Operations teams to ensure company is compliant with all environmental regulations and associated permit requirements
• Participate in response efforts for facility emergencies and/or incidents
• Assist in planning, coordinating, and participating in Incident Command System (ICS) and emergency/incident response trainings, tabletop exercises, and drills
• Employ effective strategies for continuous monitoring of environmental laws and regulations; coordinate with the EHS and Operations teams to maintain compliance
• Develop, implement, and continuously monitor company environmental compliance policies, procedures and processes to ensure environmental laws and regulations are followed
• Continuously update and monitor compliance schedules, calendars, and compliance matrices to ensure compliance deadlines are tracked and are transparent to cross-functional teams and are successfully met
• Maintain compliance records and regulatory files in sync with established electronic and paper copy recordkeeping organization and structure
• Prepare environmental permit applications and compliance plans
• Manage hazardous materials inventories and waste management programs utilizing California Environmental Reporting System (CERS), hazardous materials business plans (HMBPs), hazardous materials release response plans, hazardous waste generator forms, annual reporting and maintaining related documents
• Other duties as assigned by the Environmental Compliance Manager

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Requirements

• Ability to work efficiently and independently, self-starter
• Solid sense of accountability and sound personal judgement
• Experience with at least one or two of the following regulatory agencies Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California EPA (CalEPA), jurisdictional Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Air Resources Board (CARB), jurisdictional air districts, California State Water Board (SWRCB), jurisdictional water boards, United States Department of Transportation (US DOT)
• Experience with Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) programs, hazardous materials inventories, and hazardous waste programs (preferred)
• Experience with HAZMAT Standards (preferred)
• Knowledge and applied experience with EPA’s Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule and required SPCC Rule elements (preferred)
• Knowledge and applied experience in planning for, and performing and participating in federal, state and local regulatory agency inspections and/or audits
• Able to accurately compile and submit reports to regulatory agencies
• Knowledge and applied experience in incident reporting and emergency response (preferred)
• Computer skills with MS Office software, including Word, Excel, SharePoint.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and delegate.
• Ability to lead their responsibilities and work in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet timelines.
• Conscientious and detail-oriented with demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
• Good judgment and sound decision-making skills.
• Will be partial office and field-based.
• Adherence to Terra-Gen safety rules and performance expectations

EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE

• Associates, Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
• Experience in environmental compliance and must be recent and relevant to this environmental position (required)
• Knowledge of renewable energy facilities preferred, but not required.

Communication Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent written & verbal communication
• Computer proficiency (combination of virtual, office based, and in-field)

Reasoning Ability & Decision-making Skills

• Ability to work independently, requiring little to no supervision
• Attention to detail and focus on quality
• Problem solving skills
• Proficient in identifying potential problems and develop written or verbal corrective action plans focused on resolving potential issues independently

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid CA driver’s license with excellent driving record (required)
• Certifications in other environmental compliance programs (i.e. QSP, HAZWOPER, etc.) (preferred)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to comfortably lift 50 lbs
• Travel to projects (and potential for overnight stays) approximately 25% of the time
• Personal vehicle may be needed for regular field visits (Mileage reimbursements based on the current federal mileage rate)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to conduct field work in challenging terrain and/or during inclement weather, often independently

Terra-Gen is an equal opportunity employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with Americans with Disabilities Act and related laws and regulations as applicable. All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to age, race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screening. Employees must be authorized to work in the US and employment is contingent upon presentation of acceptable documents as evidence of identity and employment authorization, as detailed on Form I-9.

Terra-Gen provides a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off, paid holidays, and 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match.

The posted compensation is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California. This salary range may also be modified in the future, depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location.