Department Manager - Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response

PNE•Lakewood, WA

2d•$120,000 - $140,000

About The Position

Cowlitz Clean Sweep (CCS), a division of Pacific Northern Environmental, LLC, is hiring a Department Manager for its Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response department. The manager is accountable for the department’s safe, compliant, and profitable performance, including its budget and P&L, estimates and bids, project plans and controls, customer relationships, business development, and employee development. The department primarily self-performs its work and uses subcontractors as needed. 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 leads remediation operations and oversees 24/7 spill and emergency-response readiness, staffing, on-call coverage, equipment, and response performance. It maintains a hands-on presence at jobsites and with customers, directs field crews and subcontractors, manages regulatory and technical work, and ensures required training, licensing, documentation, and safety controls are in place. The manager must remain available for time-sensitive needs outside normal business hours and may need to travel on short notice to significant emergency events. The work involves offices, industrial facilities, and active jobsites, including excavation, demolition, underground storage tank, and remediation operations. Physical activities include moving equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, remaining stationary for extended periods, occasional ladder and stair use, and occasional outdoor work in varied weather. Required PPE and participation in the respiratory protection program, including medical clearance and fit testing, are required. The position is safety-sensitive and subject to company drug and alcohol testing requirements and pre-employment background, driving-record, and drug screenings.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Five or more years of experience in environmental remediation, industrial environmental services, or closely related field operations.
Three years of experience managing field crews and projects in remediation, environmental services, construction, or a comparable industrial setting, with a demonstrated track record of improving field productivity, cost, and safety KPIs for subcontractors and CCS field staff.
Excellent leadership skills, including goal setting, motivating, training, and mentorship.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including writing, speaking, and active listening.
Strong client relationship management, communication, negotiation, and business-development skills, including the ability to resolve 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 such as the Washington Department of Ecology and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
Must obtain and maintain the 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.
Demonstrated 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.
Valid driver’s license; must meet company vehicle-insurance eligibility requirements, maintain an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), also known as an Abstract of Driving Record (ADR), and remain eligible to drive under company policy. Reviews are required before employment and annually thereafter.
Current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification (29 CFR 1910.120), including 8-hour supervisor training and current annual refresher, required at hire or to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.
Ability to move about offices, industrial facilities, and active jobsites as needed; move work-related equipment weighing up to 50 pounds; remain stationary for extended periods; operate technological devices such as a computer; occasionally use ladders and stairs; and occasionally work outdoors in varied weather.
Ability to serve as the escalation point for emergency-response events outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and travel on short notice to respond onsite to significant events.
Ability to work around active excavation, demolition, underground storage tank, and remediation operations while following required safety controls.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and participate in the company respiratory protection program, including required medical clearance and fit testing.
Must maintain facial-hair conditions that allow a proper respirator seal, 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 (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, and high-quality execution.
Establish department priorities and operating plans in partnership 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 activities.
Own the department budget and P&L, including forecasts, revenue goals, cost controls, productivity, profitability, and regular performance reporting.
Develop estimates, bids, scopes, and quotes; approve work within delegated authority and elevate items above established approval limits to the Regional Operations Manager.
Plan and schedule labor, equipment, rentals, materials, subcontractors, and other resources required to execute projects successfully.
Track project value, labor, equipment, rentals, subcontractor costs, days on site, production, and remaining scope to manage run rates and protect project performance.
Identify additional customer needs and out-of-scope work, develop change orders, and establish clear stopping points when additional authorization is required.
Lead and oversee 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 activities meet applicable licensing, notification, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
Oversee the Emergency Response department, including 24/7 spill and emergency-response readiness, staffing, on-call coverage, equipment, and overall response performance; respond onsite to significant events as needed.
Ensure qualified incident commanders are designated for emergency-response events, and coordinate with customers, regulatory agencies, and emergency services as required.
Coordinate with the Safety Department to ensure emergency-response personnel are scheduled for and remain current on required training and medical clearance, and assign only qualified personnel to emergency-response work.
Ensure required spill and release notifications, response documentation, and waste handling for emergency-response events are completed accurately and on time, and 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 strong customer relationships, resolve concerns promptly, 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 to respond to 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).
Pretax 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 profit sharing for qualifying employees.
Annual company events.
Safety incentives.
Eligibility for the Department Manager bonus program and a company vehicle.