Department Manager - Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response

PNE•Longview, WA

2d•$120,000 - $140,000

About The Position

Cowlitz Clean Sweep (CCS), a division of Pacific Northern Environmental, LLC, is seeking a Department Manager to lead its Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response department. The role is accountable for safe, compliant, and profitable department performance and combines hands-on operational leadership, remediation expertise, financial accountability, customer service, and employee development. CCS provides industrial cleaning, spill-response, and environmental remediation services, including underground storage tank removal and decommissioning, site assessment, and cleanup. The manager leads daily regional remediation operations and oversees 24/7 emergency-response readiness. The position owns the department budget and P&L; develops estimates, bids, scopes, and project plans; plans and schedules resources; monitors project costs, production, and change orders; and works to achieve revenue and profitability goals. The manager leads self-performed crews and subcontractors, maintains customer relationships, supports business development, and ensures work meets safety, licensing, documentation, and regulatory requirements. The position works closely with the Regional Operations Manager and may be based in Longview, Tacoma, or Portland, with Longview as the primary operations base. The role requires field presence at jobsites, customer meetings, and project reviews, as well as availability for time-sensitive operational needs outside normal business hours. The manager may be required to respond onsite to significant emergency events, including at night, on weekends, or on holidays. Physical requirements include moving equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, occasional ladder and stair use, working outdoors and in varied weather, and wearing required personal protective equipment while participating in the respiratory protection program.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 5 years of experience in environmental remediation, industrial environmental services, or a closely related field operations role.
At least 3 years of experience managing field crews and projects in remediation, environmental services, construction, or a comparable industrial setting.
Demonstrated record of improving field productivity, cost, and safety KPIs for subcontractors and company field staff.
Strong leadership skills, including goal setting, motivation, training, and mentorship.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including writing, speaking, and active listening.
Strong client relationship management, communication, negotiation, and business-development skills, including resolving issues in high-pressure situations.
Demonstrated experience directing contaminated-soil excavation, transportation and disposal, demolition, emergency response, and underground storage tank removal or decommissioning projects.
Working knowledge of environmental sampling, groundwater and dewatering activities, remediation treatment systems, agency reporting, and regulatory closure processes, including coordination with state environmental agencies.
Ability to manage a department P&L and budget; prepare proposals, scopes of work, and cost estimates; track project costs and run rates; manage change orders; and achieve revenue and profitability goals.
Must obtain and maintain state and industry licenses or certifications required to supervise regulated underground storage tank removal, decommissioning, site assessment, and related remediation work in Washington and Oregon within timelines established at hire, and in Montana and Idaho as needed, before performing work that requires them.
Valid driver's license, eligibility for coverage under the company vehicle insurance policy, an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)/Abstract of Driving Record (ADR), and continued eligibility to drive under company policy. Reviews are required before employment and annually thereafter.
Current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification under 29 CFR 1910.120, including 8-hour supervisor training and a current annual refresher, required at hire or to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.
Ability to perform listed physical activities and work conditions with or without reasonable accommodation, including moving equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, occasional ladder and stair use, outdoor work in varied weather, required PPE use, and participation in the respiratory protection program.
Availability to serve as an escalation point for emergency-response events outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and to travel on short notice to significant events.
Must meet company respiratory protection requirements, including medical clearance and fit testing, and maintain facial-hair conditions that allow proper respirator sealing in accordance with company policy and applicable OSHA requirements, subject to reasonable accommodation where required by law.
Successful completion of post-offer background screening, MVR review, and drug testing; drug testing must be completed within 72 hours of signing the offer letter.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, geology, construction management, business, or a related field.
Current underground storage tank licenses and certifications.
Incident Command System (ICS) experience and Incident Commander-level emergency-response training under 29 CFR 1910.120(q); training can be provided after hire.
Current OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR, confined-space entry or rescue, and applicable DOT hazardous-materials training; these may be obtained through company-approved training after hire.

Responsibilities

Lead daily remediation operations and workflow across the regional service area to ensure safe, compliant, efficient, high-quality execution.
Establish department priorities and operating plans with the Regional Operations Manager.
Maintain a visible, hands-on presence through job walks, project planning, field reviews, customer meetings, and support of complex work.
Own the department budget and P&L, including forecasts, revenue goals, cost controls, productivity, profitability, and performance reporting.
Develop estimates, bids, scopes, and quotes; approve work within delegated authority and elevate items above approval limits to the Regional Operations Manager.
Plan and schedule labor, equipment, rentals, materials, subcontractors, and other project resources.
Track project value, labor, equipment, rentals, subcontractor costs, days on site, production, and remaining scope to manage run rates and project performance.
Identify additional customer needs and out-of-scope work, develop change orders, and establish stopping points when further authorization is required.
Lead remediation work plans, sampling activities, remediation approaches, agency coordination and reporting, and closure documentation; coordinate qualified technical professionals when specialized review or approval is required.
Ensure underground storage tank removal, decommissioning, site-assessment, and related remediation work meets licensing, notification, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
Oversee 24/7 emergency-response readiness, including staffing, on-call coverage, equipment, and response performance; respond onsite to significant events as needed.
Ensure qualified incident commanders are designated and coordinate with customers, regulatory agencies, and emergency services as required.
Coordinate required emergency-response training and medical clearance with the Safety Department and assign only qualified personnel to emergency-response work.
Ensure spill and release notifications, response documentation, and waste handling are completed accurately and on time; support Safety Department incident reviews as needed.
Direct self-performed crews and manage subcontractors for safety, scope, schedule, quality, documentation, and cost performance.
Build and maintain customer relationships, promptly resolve concerns, and support business development and regional growth.
Partner with the Regional Operations Manager and Human Resources on workforce planning, recruiting, selection, onboarding, and staffing decisions.
Provide coaching, performance evaluations, recognition, corrective action, and termination recommendations or decisions in coordination with the Regional Operations Manager and Human Resources.
Ensure employees receive the training, cross-training, qualifications, and certifications needed for assigned work in coordination with the Safety Department.
Develop and improve department processes, project controls, documentation, and performance measures.
Safely operate company vehicles as required and comply with traffic laws and company driving policies.
Remain available for time-sensitive operational, customer, and project needs outside normal business hours as necessary.
Promote a positive, accountable, productive, and safety-focused work environment aligned with company values.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision plan options for employees and eligible dependents.
Company-paid and voluntary life and AD&D insurance.
Specialty prescription programs.
Group Aflac options, including hospital, critical illness, and accident plans.
Pretax flexible spending account (FSA) and dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).
Teladoc telehealth services.
401(k) plan with discretionary annual company matching contributions.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Paid training and certifications.
Paid leave for qualifying employees, including vacation, sick leave, holidays, jury duty, and bereavement leave.
Up to $2,000 per year in profit sharing for qualifying employees.
Annual company events.
Safety incentives.
Eligible for the Department Manager bonus program and a company vehicle.