Department Manager - Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response

PNE•Portland, OR

About The Position

Cowlitz Clean Sweep (CCS), a division of Pacific Northern Environmental, LLC, is seeking a Department Manager for its Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response department. The role is accountable for the department’s safe, compliant, and profitable performance, including its budget and P&L, estimates and bids, project plans and performance, customer relationships, new business, and employee development. The department primarily self-performs its work and manages subcontractors as needed. The manager leads daily remediation operations across the regional service area and oversees emergency response readiness and performance, including 24/7 spill and emergency response coverage. The position works closely with the Regional Operations Manager and may be based in Longview, Tacoma, or Portland; Longview is the primary operations base. The manager must remain available for time-sensitive needs outside normal business hours and may need to travel on short notice to significant events. A high school diploma or GED is required. Five or more years of relevant experience and three years managing field crews and projects are required. Current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification, including supervisor training and an annual refresher, is required at hire or within 30 days. The role must obtain and maintain applicable licenses and certifications for regulated UST and remediation work within established timelines.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least five years of experience in environmental remediation, industrial environmental services, or closely related field operations.
At least three years managing field crews and projects in remediation, environmental services, construction, or a comparable industrial setting.
Demonstrated ability to improve 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 customer relationship management, communication, negotiation, and business-development skills, including the ability to resolve high-pressure issues.
Experience directing contaminated-soil excavation, transportation and disposal, demolition, emergency response, and UST 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 obtain and maintain required state and industry licenses or certifications for regulated UST 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.
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, eligibility for coverage under the company vehicle insurance policy, acceptable MVR/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 current annual refresher, required at hire or to be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.
Ability to perform the described 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, and working around active industrial operations.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and participate in the respiratory protection program, including required medical clearance and fit testing; maintain facial-hair conditions that permit a proper respirator seal, subject to applicable accommodation requirements.
Ability to serve as an escalation point for emergency response events outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and travel on short notice to significant events.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, geology, construction management, business, or a related field.
Current UST 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, ensuring 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.
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.
Plan and schedule labor, equipment, rentals, materials, subcontractors, and other project resources.
Track project value, 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 additional authorization is required.
Lead and oversee remediation work plans, sampling, remediation approaches, agency coordination and reporting, and closure documentation; coordinate qualified technical professionals when needed.
Ensure UST removal, decommissioning, site assessment, and related remediation activities meet licensing, notification, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
Oversee 24/7 emergency response readiness, 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 with the Safety Department on required training and medical clearances for emergency response personnel, and assign only qualified personnel to response work.
Ensure spill and release notifications, response documentation, and waste handling are completed accurately and on time; support 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, 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 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).
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 in profit sharing for qualifying employees.
Annual company events.
Safety incentives.
Eligibility for the Department Manager bonus program.
Company vehicle.