Department Manager - Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response

PNE•Longview, WA

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 position is accountable for safe, compliant, and profitable department performance. It owns the department budget and P&L; develops estimates, bids, and project plans; tracks project performance and change orders; builds customer relationships and secures new work; and supports employee development. The department primarily performs work with its own crews and manages subcontractors as needed. The manager leads remediation operations across the regional service area and oversees emergency-response readiness and performance, including 24/7 spill and emergency response coverage. The role works closely with the Regional Operations Manager and may be based in Longview, Tacoma, or Portland, with Longview as the primary operations base. The manager must remain available for time-sensitive needs outside normal business hours and may travel on short notice to significant events. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and more than five years of relevant field experience, including three years managing field crews and projects. A current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification, including supervisor training and annual refresher, is required at hire or within 30 days. The manager must obtain and maintain required state and industry credentials for regulated work in Washington and Oregon, and in Montana and Idaho as needed. A valid driver’s license and continued eligibility under the company’s vehicle insurance policy are required. The position is safety-sensitive and involves work around active industrial and remediation sites, use of required personal protective equipment, and participation in the respiratory protection program. Pacific Northern Environmental, LLC offers a range of employee benefits and programs, which may include insurance, retirement matching, paid training and certifications, paid leave, profit sharing, a bonus program, and a company vehicle.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
More than five 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.
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 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 Washington and Oregon environmental agencies.
Ability to obtain and maintain required state and industry licenses or certifications for regulated UST and remediation work in Washington and Oregon within timelines established at hire, and in Montana and Idaho as needed before performing work requiring 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, an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record, and continued eligibility to drive under company policy. Reviews occur 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 obtainable within 30 days of hire.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.
Ability to perform the listed physical activities and work conditions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to maintain facial-hair conditions that permit a proper respirator seal under company policy and applicable OSHA requirements, subject to legally required reasonable accommodation.

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 experience and Incident Commander-level emergency-response training under 29 CFR 1910.120(q); training may 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 work.
Set 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 for 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 escalate items above approval limits.
Plan and schedule labor, equipment, rentals, materials, subcontractors, and other project resources.
Track project value, labor, equipment, rental and 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 and oversee remediation work plans, sampling activities, remediation approaches, agency coordination and reporting, and closure documentation; coordinate qualified technical professionals as needed.
Ensure underground storage tank 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 emergency-response training and medical clearance, 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, 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 for assigned work, coordinating 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 profit sharing for qualifying employees.
Annual company events.
Safety incentives.
Eligibility for the Department Manager bonus program.
Company vehicle.