Director of Environmental Programs

Port of Olympia • Olympia, WA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Port of Olympia is seeking a Director of Environmental Programs to oversee the Port’s environmental, natural resource, regulatory compliance, and sustainability functions. This leadership role requires a broad set of environmental program management skills and specialized knowledge. The Director will provide strategic direction, oversee day-to-day operations of the Environmental Programs, and supervise staff within the Environmental Department. The position involves working independently, making decisions within granted authorities, and making recommendations on policy issues. The Port of Olympia is committed to creating economic opportunities and building community through responsible resource use, serving all of Thurston County with a history rooted in community service, economic development, tourism, and environmental stewardship.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in environmental management, land use planning, biological or fisheries sciences, toxicology, construction management or engineering, business, or a related field.
• Five (5) or more years’ related experience in this field.
• Five (5) years of experience working with environmental regulations and permit requirements applicable to the Port, including: SEPA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing programs and staff, conducting performance evaluations, and creating team collaborations.
• Knowledge and experience of managing contracts or contracted projects.

Nice To Haves

• Work on cleanup projects under the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) or Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), including developing strategies around cleanup selection, cost recovery, and grant acquisition and management.
• 40 Hour Hazardous Waste Certification.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations applicable to Port; familiarity with regulatory and permitting processes affecting Port projects.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and oversees the Port’s Environmental Programs, including environmental and regulatory compliance, environmental cleanup and remediation, natural resource management, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) compliance, and sustainability.
• Works as part of the executive team to develop and implement strategies for asset management, long-range planning, and the capital improvement program.
• Provides leadership on the Port’s sustainability and resiliency initiatives such as sea level rise adaptation, zero emission goals, and climate mitigation and adaptation.
• Supervises staff in the department and creates a team environment for employees to be successful, including developing department goals, objectives, and work plans, conducting annual performance reviews, and coaching individuals and the team for success.
• Oversees all Port environmental programs and initiatives, including regulatory compliance, contaminated site cleanup, mitigation, restoration projects, environmental stewardship, and sustainability.
• Advises the Port on issues associated with environmental regulatory compliance, liability, and risk minimization and resolution.
• Provides the Executive Director and other directors and senior managers with notice of regulatory trends and projected future compliance requirements.
• Works with other directors and senior managers in negotiating cost recovery for environmental compliance activities.
• Provides strategic direction for environmental remediation projects.
• Oversees technical staff and consultants from investigation to long-term monitoring.
• Negotiates resolution of Port liability and works with legal counsel and consultants on cost recovery.
• Prepares environmental analyses and decisions for compliance with State and Federal environmental laws and coordinates with Port legal counsel.
• Serves as the delegated SEPA responsible official for the Port, with responsibility for assisting legal staff with preparation of SEPA documents, making SEPA determinations, and ensuring Port compliance with Port SEPA policies and state law.
• Works with the Public Works staff to ensure SEPA checklists are timely prepared and all necessary SEPA processes are followed.
• Oversees the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements, when necessary.
• Develops and oversees budgets for the Environmental Department, Stormwater Treatment Facility, and Cascade Pole Facility.
• Works with other directors and senior managers on the development of the annual capital budget.
• Provides input into the Port-wide long-term asset management plan.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, vision, and dental insurance with no out-of-pocket employee premiums and full coverage for employee, spouse, and all eligible dependents.
• Life and AD&D insurance with a maximum of $100,000, with optional supplemental coverage by employee.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Earned vacation and sick leave.
• Bereavement leave.
• Educational assistance.
• Long-term disability insurance, with optional supplemental coverage by employee.
• Washington State Retirement System.
• Wellness fringe benefit.
• Optional Ameriflex Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA) Plans.
• Optional AFLAC Insurance Plans.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director