General Summary of Job Responsibilities

Consumers Energy Company’s Environmental Quality and Sustainability (EQ&S) Department is a team of professionals dedicated to providing planning, permitting, and operational compliance support for electric and natural gas utility operations serving approximately six million customers across Michigan. The Department’s Air Quality Section is seeking an Environmental Analyst to support the company’s environmental compliance programs, with a primary focus on compliance with air permits at fossil fuel-fired generation facilities and natural gas compressor stations in Michigan.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in air permitting for utility operations, established relationships with state and federal environmental agencies, and experience evaluating regulations for applicability determinations on company-wide projects related to electric and natural gas utility operations. This position requires collaboration with internal business partners and other EQ&S team members.

The Senior Environmental Analyst performs research, data collection, and interpretation to develop environmental policies and assess current processes. The role includes preparing recommendations to ensure compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, presenting findings to management, and assisting with the implementation of process improvements. Analyses may include feasibility studies, cost-benefit evaluations, trend forecasting, compliance risk assessments, and budget analysis and reporting.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure environmental data collection and reporting comply with company policies and state regulations.
• Monitor operational processes and perform detailed analyses.
• Complete moderately complex assignments and provide actionable recommendations.
• Analyze and advise management on budget-related matters.
• Provide guidance to less experienced team members to ensure accurate data collection and analysis.
• Support internal and external reporting requirements.
• Assist team members in resolving specific issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

The Environmental Analyst should have 10+ years of air quality experience and the ability to evaluate proposed projects company-wide to determine air quality permitting, compliance, and recordkeeping requirements. Key areas of expertise include:

• Renewable Operating Permit (ROP) Management: Preparing renewal applications, negotiating permit terms, ensuring compliance with reporting and recordkeeping, and updating internal procedures.
• Air Quality Permitting: Reviewing projects for applicability of air quality permits, including major New Source Review (NSR), Non-attainment NSR, New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), and National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP).
• Familiarity with state and federal air quality regulations.
• Environmental Management System (EMS): Experience working within corporate EMS processes.
• Proficiency with Michigan’s MiEnviro Portal.
• Air Emissions Testing: Writing and reviewing testing protocols and stack test reports.
• Reviewing and interpreting air quality regulations, proposed changes, and internal policies to assess impacts and ensure compliance.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong understanding of utility operations and business models.
• Excellent problem-solving and supervisory skills.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to evaluate, select, and apply environmental technology concepts and principles.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management, Resource Development, Science, or related field with 4+ years of environmental analysis experience
  • [OR] Associate’s degree with 6+ years of experience
  • [OR] High school diploma with 8+ years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and other relevant applications.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently and prioritize effectively.
• Strong decision-making skills under pressure, with the ability to build consensus and minimize negative impacts.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively across all organizational levels.
• Established relationships with state and federal permitting agencies.
• Experience in electric generation/distribution and gas utility operations, including natural gas-fired generation and compressor station operations.
• Knowledge of air quality control equipment and related systems.
• Familiarity with GHG accounting protocols (Scopes 1, 2, and 3).
• Experience with Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and related reporting under 40 CFR Parts 60 and 75.
• Background in federal programs such as Acid Rain and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (NOx/SO₂ Trading Programs).
• Ability to review and influence emerging air quality regulations.
• Experience auditing air quality programs and using compliance software (e.g., DevonWay).
• Expertise in preparing and managing air quality permit applications, documenting exemptions, and implementing new regulatory requirements.
• Experience with air dispersion modeling for permitting purposes.