Job Description

Position Purpose

The Environmental Specialist II supports and administers the organization’s environmental compliance and stewardship programs by independently managing environmental compliance activities, supporting operational environmental initiatives, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This role applies working knowledge of environmental regulations, environmental management systems, and operational processes to support compliance, identify risks, recommend solutions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

The Environmental Specialist II partners closely with operations, engineering, contractors, laboratories, consultants, regulatory agencies, and internal stakeholders to maintain environmentally responsible and compliant business practices while contributing to operational excellence, risk reduction, and sustainability initiatives.

Core Responsibilities

Note: This is not an all-inclusive list

Environmental Compliance & Regulatory Support

• Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws, permits, regulations, plans, policies, and procedures.
• Independently conduct environmental sampling, inspections, monitoring, investigations, and data collection activities across Company operations.
• Prepare, review, and submit required environmental reports, records, permits, and regulatory documentation accurately and within required deadlines.
• Administer compliance activities related to water resources, spill prevention, stormwater, wastewater, air quality, waste management, and environmental management systems.
• Evaluate regulatory changes and operational impacts and recommend compliance strategies and implementation plans.
• Coordinate with laboratories, contractors, consultants, and regulatory agencies regarding environmental compliance activities.
• Support environmental audits, inspections, and agency reviews while ensuring timely completion of corrective actions.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of environmental procedures, plans, and compliance programs.

Environmental Programs & Operations Support

• Support implementation and continuous improvement of environmental programs, systems, and operational processes.
• Conduct compliance assessments, field reviews, inspections, and environmental evaluations to identify operational risks and improvement opportunities.
• Participate in incident investigations and lead development and tracking of corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with operational teams to integrate environmentally responsible practices into Company operations and projects.
• Support permit-related inspections, operational reviews, and environmental field activities.
• Maintain accurate environmental records, databases, and tracking systems.
• Assist with environmental training initiatives and provide technical guidance to internal stakeholders.

Project & Process Support

• Manage assigned environmental projects and compliance initiatives with limited supervision.
• Coordinate project activities, schedules, deliverables, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Support environmental initiatives focused on sustainability, compliance improvement, operational efficiency, and risk reduction.
• Analyze environmental data and trends and prepare technical summaries, recommendations, and presentations.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance environmental performance, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Participate in cross-functional project teams supporting Company initiatives and capital projects.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal departments, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, laboratories, and community stakeholders.
• Communicate environmental requirements, risks, and recommendations clearly and professionally.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings, environmental committees, regulatory discussions, and industry-related events.
• Provide support during inspections, audits, and regulatory interactions.
• Represent the Company in a professional manner during environmental meetings, field activities, and agency interactions.

Behavioral Competencies

Note: These are in addition to MGE’s core competencies

• Communicates Effectively - Communicates technical, operational, and regulatory information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences. Prepares accurate reports, documentation, presentations, and recommendations.
• Drives Results - Consistently delivers high-quality results while balancing multiple priorities, timelines, and compliance obligations.
• Nimble Learning - Learns quickly through experience and actively expands environmental, operational, and regulatory knowledge. Applies lessons learned to improve performance and compliance outcomes.
• Situational Adaptability - Adapts effectively to changing operational priorities, field conditions, regulatory developments, and stakeholder needs.
• Tech Savvy - Uses environmental data systems, reporting tools, compliance software, and digital technologies effectively to support operational and compliance objectives.
• Ensures Accountability - Takes ownership of assigned responsibilities, compliance obligations, project deliverables, and follow-through.

Skills

• Working knowledge of environmental regulations, permitting, compliance processes, and environmental management practices.
• Knowledge of environmental sampling methods, investigations, inspections, reporting, and corrective action processes.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project coordination, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret environmental regulations, permits, technical guidance, and operational requirements.
• Ability to identify risks, recommend solutions, and support implementation of corrective actions.
• Effective written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines with limited supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively across operational, technical, and regulatory teams.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, environmental databases, and compliance tracking systems.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Environmental Engineering, or related scientific or engineering field required.

Experience

• Three (3) to five (5) years of environmental compliance, environmental field work, environmental program administration, or related experience required.
• Experience with environmental sampling, inspections, permitting, regulatory reporting, audits, investigations, or environmental compliance programs preferred.
• Utility, industrial, manufacturing, consulting, or regulated industry environmental experience preferred.

Work Location

• This hybrid role is based at our Madison, WI headquarters. While three days onsite is the minimum, team collaboration and business needs may require additional in-office presence.

Pre-employment will require satisfactory completion of a background check and drug screen.
We are an AA/EOE employer and consider all qualified candidates without regard to protected status.