Job Description

Thank you for considering a career at Port Houston. We appreciate your interest in joining our team. By applying, you are taking an important step toward advancing your career with an organization committed to excellence.

Port Houston offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a diverse, inclusive work environment. Joining our team means embarking on a fulfilling career path with opportunities for growth and impact.

Before submitting your application, please ensure your resume is ready for upload in either .doc or .pdf format. Application must be completed in full.

Position Summary:

Environmental Affairs Environmental Affairs Director Exempt G The Environmental Compliance Manager plays a pivotal leadership role within Port Houston’s Environmental Affairs team. The Environmental Compliance Manager will lead the team of coordinators through compliance, permitting, auditing, and a variety of other complicated environmental programs from cross functional disciplines including air, water, waste, sustainability, construction project oversight, remediation, tanks, spills, hazmat coordination, environmental permits, and regulatory oversight with various agencies (USACE, EPA, TCEQ, NEPA, etc). Provides subject matter and technical expertise in a minimum of four scientific disciplines, while managing contracts, budgets, and consultant work to achieve and sustain environmental initiatives.

Key Responsibilities/Duties:

• Develop, manage, and oversee environmental programs with and through the environmental compliance coordinators.
• Examine Port Houston operations to identify process improvements and ensure compliance with environmental regulations across the organization
• Manage day-to-day activities of the Environmental Compliance Coordinators
• Support Port Houston’s efforts by ensuring permitting and compliance projects meet current environmental regulations and best practices and will service as a backup to the director of environmental affairs during his/her absence
• Act as a mentor to the other Environmental Compliance Coordinators and is acting as an Environmental Affairs Director, as needed
• Assist in developing a five- and ten-year strategic plan to minimize Port Houston’s environmental footprint in a sustainable fashion, develop metrics to track progress, and re-assess and report on progress annually
• Develop scopes of work, negotiate contracts for professional environmental services, and manage environmental consultants
• Oversee and manage highly complex permits, and contracts through legal requirements, project management, cost constraints and budgets
• Coordinate business functions with the appropriate regulatory agencies to ensure that all required permitting is in place, and that permit limitations are compatible with business needs
• Develop and implement environmental strategies and action plans
• Assess and implement existing and proposed local, state and federal regulations
• Assist with environmental compliance through education, training, implementation of corporate compliance and company initiatives
• Serve as permit project manager for all non-marine, land-based environmental permits, including:
• Nationwide Permits (NWP) under Section 404/10/401, with USACE when applicable
• TCEQ permits and registrations (e.g., stormwater, remediation, air, waste).
• EPA-regulated activities, such as spill prevention, hazardous materials, and site investigations
• Monitor, interpret, track, and analyze proposed environmental, energy and related legislation, regulations, and policies at the federal, state, and local levels that could potentially adversely impact Port Houston or could significantly increase environmental compliance requirements and costs
• Lead or support NEPA compliance processes, including Environmental Assessments (EA) and coordination of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), when triggered by federal funding or agencies
• Conduct and/or manage consultants for wetland delineations, biological surveys, and species/habitat impact assessments
• Oversee Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) to support real estate, development, or remediation decisions
• Promote and raise awareness at all organizational levels on the impact of emerging environmental issues
• Conduct inspections, audits, and training to ensure implementation of best management practices, adherence to regulatory requirements, and promote continuous improvement
• Demonstrate environmental compliance, maintain compliance records and document, and submit required reports and documents to various regulatory agencies within the required time limits
• Perform data assessment and analysis of environmental data using GIS and other software
• Serve as subject matter expert to assess impacts of the changes and actively participate in policy development through industry associations and direct integration with regulating agencies
• Identify and prioritize potential environmental risks and develop appropriate control and/or abatement mechanisms
• Research proposed local, state and federal regulatory changes; assess impacts of the changes and actively participate in rulemaking activities through industry associations and direct interaction with regulators; maintain liaison with agencies, NGO’s, other stakeholders
• Coordinate and engage environmental personnel and other personnel in the identification, development and implementation of environmental goals which will positively impact and add value to the organization
• Actively participate in regularly scheduled project review meetings, provide input to work plans or schedule issues, identify risks and project materials or vendors needed to support the project, and promptly inform project lead regarding environmental concerns, requirements, compliance issues, corrective measures, etc.
• Conduct regular site inspections to assess compliance with the plan and permit requirements and monitor construction site’s environmental performance
• Monitor, document and guide initiatives to minimize waste, avoid accidental releases or spills, and otherwise reduce potentially harmful releases to air, water, or soil
• Assist the Grant Manager with grant proposals for air or sustainability activities
• Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you)
• Manage and ensure compliance with TCEQ’s Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) or Corrective Action processes.
• Asbestos abatement and disposal oversight and documentation.
• Tier II hazardous chemical inventory reporting and coordination with internal departments.
• Track and interpret regulatory updates from EPA, TCEQ, and other relevant agencies; assess implications for Port operations and permitting timelines.
• Serve as the liaison with internal stakeholders and consultants to ensure timely, complete submittal of permit applications and environmental reports
• Maintain documentation, correspondence logs, and project tracking in coordination with the Environmental Compliance Coordinator and project managers
• Ensure delineation from Channel Marine Regulatory by coordinating, when necessary, on joint jurisdictional determinations but keeping this role focused strictly on upland and terrestrial environmental permitting responsibilities
• Represent Port Houston in interagency meetings and public engagement forums on topics within this role’s scope
• Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you)
• Perform related duties as required

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resource Management, or a closely related field
• 7+ years of progressive experience in environmental permitting, with a focus on state and federal land-based environmental regulatory compliance
• Previous people-management experience required
• In-depth understanding of:
• Clean Water Act (404/401) as applied to land-based projects
• NEPA, ESA, RCRA, CERCLA, TCEQ regulatory programs
• Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act
• Experience coordinating with EPA, TCEQ, and local environmental agencies.
• Master’s degree preferred
• Certified Professional Environmental Auditor certification preferred for auditor function
• Previous and comprehensive experience in permitting projects in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• Ability to interpret environmental regulations, communicate permitting strategies, and manage consultants and timelines
• Strong analytical, writing, and project management skills

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Behaviors:

• Strong knowledge of Clean Water Act (Sections 404, 401), NEPA, TCEQ, TGLO, EPA, ESA, MBTA, RCRA, CERCLA, and Clean Air Act.
• Familiarity with TCEQ permitting programs (stormwater, air, waste, remediation)
• Understanding of Nationwide and General Permits (as applicable to upland development)
• Experience with Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments
• Understanding of wetland delineation, habitat surveys, and ecological assessments
• Ability to interpret and apply complex environmental regulations
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills
• Project management skills for tracking multiple permits and deadlines
• Stakeholder engagement with agencies, consultants, and internal teams Critical thinking and environmental risk analysis
• Competency in reviewing and editing environmental reports and permits
• Ability to collaborate across departments and functions
• Work independently and use sound judgment in permit planning
• Adapt to evolving regulations and project needs
• Maintain organized documentation and records
• Coordinate consultants, contractors, and field teams for surveys or studies
• Maintains integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
• Highly detail-oriented and organized
• Shows initiative and takes ownership of responsibilities
• Team-oriented and supportive of department goals
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as presentation skills
• Computer skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to mentor and support subordinates and promote a high degree of motivation
• Ability to travel to attend conferences, meetings and workshops
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to track and explain any differences in budget line items
• Ability to interact comfortably with all levels of management
• Attention to detail
• A current, valid Texas driver's license is required
• A Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) must be obtained within 30 days of appointment, and be maintained for the duration of employment
• Considered essential employees and may be required to work on holidays, evenings, nights, and be immediately recalled for emergencies at any time. They must remain available and "on call" 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, dependent on emergency

Key Competencies Required:

• Ethics and Values
• Focus Group Efforts
• Leadership Presence
• Management Focus
• Strategic Decision Making
• Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills
• Cybersecurity Awareness and Collaboration
• Innovation and Technology Adaptation

This work site location of this job is:

Port Houston Administration Building

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but due to open office environment noise level may occasionally be high. To apply, please go to porthouston.com/careers. Only applications submitted through the Port Houston Careers website will be acknowledged. Port Houston is an equal opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program supervised by the U.S. Government.

Disclaimer:

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

We appreciate your interest in Port Houston. Port Houston is an equal employment opportunity employer. Port Houston’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Port Houston also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Application must be completed in full.