Environmental Specialist

Job Description

Summary

This position will assist with federal and state regulatory compliance in areas including air quality, waste, water and provide project support for Chugach. Additionally, this position will assist with data gathering, reporting, sampling, and inspection in compliance with permit, plant and department procedures.

Essential Functions

• Assist with the development and maintenance of environmental programs, procedures, policies, and projects for compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations, statutes, and policies including, , the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Solid Waste Act (SWA), the Emergency Planning Community Right to know Act (EPCRA), and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

• Assist with environmental permits and plan for facility permits.

• Assist with representing Chugach during facility inspections or other official inquiries by regulatory agencies regarding compliance with environmental regulations.

• Provide technical review of proposed regulations. Assist in the preparation of position papers, briefing papers, and presentations on regulations.

• Provide technical information, assistance, and review to staff regarding environmental programs, policies, and regulations to ensure the projects meet environmental compliance requirements.

• Assist with internal auditing for compliance with environmental regulations and facility operating permits.

• Investigate discharge and impact to the environment. Determine root cause of discharge and develop preventative measures to avoid future occurrences.

• Provide project management support for environmental impact and subject to environmental requirements.

• Gather data for environmental permit applications, project documents, reports, and certification statements.

• Assist with environmental studies including assessments, impact statements, site investigations, and current and historic spill investigations.

• Other duties as assigned.

Relationships

Internal

• Manager, Environmental Compliance: Report to, receive direction and guidance from.

• Chugach staff and employees: Interface with and provide environmental support to. Promote an understanding and appreciation of environmental responsibility and compliance activity.

External

• Bargaining Unit Representatives

• Government Agency Personnel: Serve as a representative between the Association and federal, state, and local environmental agency personnel.

• Private Organizations: Serve as representative for Chugach with special interest groups addressing environmental matters.

• Contractors: Serve as project manager and/or field supervisor for environmental contractors completing environmental work.

Competencies

• Knowledge of federal, state and local environmental laws, regulations, rules, policies, and statutes. Including knowledge of the interrelationships between agencies and the legislative process.
• Current knowledge in permit application and approval procedures, air and water quality monitoring, hazardous material handling, transporting, storage, sampling, testing, and disposal.
• Must be able to lead effectively in both the office and field environments in order to direct crews and contractors.
• Ability to research and interpret regulatory and technical data and address large groups of technical and non-technical people.
• Ability to manage time effectively and to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to develop and implement environmental permits, policies, and procedures. Provide current information and brief personnel on applicable environmental laws, regulations and requirements.
• Must be able to prepare environmental briefing papers, impact analysis, permit applications, letters, reports, and memos.
• Current knowledge of environmental regulations, rules policies and procedures
• Ability to communicate clearly, orally and in writing.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have any supervisory responsibility.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Irregular hours and working conditions, including weekends and fieldwork, are to be expected. Road and light aircraft travel in inclement weather is involved. Occasional exposure to hazardous noise is possible.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental, physical, biological, or natural science; engineering; planning; or natural resources, required.

Experience

Five (5) years of progressive work experience in the environmental field in the following areas: water quality, hazardous materials handling, solid waste, hazardous waste disposal, PCB compliance, and environmental analysis preparation. Experience in air quality, required. Experience in utility/union environment, preferred.

Substitution

Additional professional experience in a similarly complex role or related field may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Company Description

Chugach Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative, headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Anchorage itself sits at the base of the Chugach Mountains. Chugach is pleased to provide reliable, affordable power to more than 92,000 members from Anchorage to the northern Kenai Peninsula, and from Whittier on Prince William Sound to Tyonek on the west side of Cook Inlet. We service over 113,000 locations with 3,782 miles of transmission and distribution lines. We have many services that make it easy to power homes and businesses with Chugach.

A little more about us: Chugach has been around for a long time, recently celebrating 75 years! We are a stable company, in a stable industry. And while we may have stability, we are modern, sustainable and forward-thinking to ensure that we provide reliable services for generations to come. We also pride ourselves on the longevity of our employees. We have several 20, 30 and 40 + year tenured employees who continue foster an inclusive, innovative corporate environment. Find your spark!

Chugach's corporate vision:
Responsibly developing energy to build a clean, sustainable future for Alaska.

Chugach's corporate mission:
We provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity through superior service and sustainable practices, powering the lives of our members.

Chugach's corporate values:
Guided by our values of safety, accountability, and sustainability, we are committed to serving our members, the community, and the Chugach team.

Equal Employment Opportunity
It is a policy of Chugach Electric Association, Inc., to recruit, hire, train, promote, and compensate persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, veteran's status, age, or any other classification protected by applicable, federal, state, or local law.
Chugach is also an affirmative action employer.

Chugach Electric does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application and throughout employment. Employees must be able to provide documentation to Chugach Electric to show their identity and authorization to work.

Benefits

HEALTH BENEFITS

Premium & Deductible are paid for by Chugach Electric. The plan includes coverage of:

• Medical, RX, Dental & Vision
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Telemedicine

FINANCIAL SECURITY

• 401K Plan
• Defined Benefit (Pension)
• Retirement Investment services
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Chugach Electric
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Flex Spending Account (Health, Limited Use, Dependent Care)

WORK, LIFE & HEALTH

• 20 days vacation for first year of employment
• 9 Paid Holidays + 3 Float Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• MetLife Will Preparation