Director of Environmental Services & Compliance
About The Position
The Environmental Services & Compliance Director is responsible for the strategic direction, management, and oversight of the Company's enterprise-wide environmental compliance, permitting, environmental stewardship, natural resource management, and environmental risk programs across regulated gas and water utility operations. The Director serves as the Company's principal environmental subject matter expert and is accountable for compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, permits, and regulatory requirements. The role provides leadership and technical guidance on environmental matters affecting utility operations, infrastructure development, construction activities, water and wastewater systems, air quality programs, permitting, regulatory proceedings, compliance investigations, and environmental risk management. The Director develops environmental strategies that support safe, reliable, and cost-effective utility operations and constructive relationships with regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and business partners. This is a regular full-time, exempt, non-union position based at NW Natural’s downtown Portland, Oregon headquarters. It offers a hybrid schedule to Oregon and Washington residents who live within commuting distance or are willing to relocate to the Portland metropolitan area. Employees work onsite Tuesdays through Thursdays and may work remotely Mondays and Fridays, subject to business needs.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Natural Resources, Public Policy, Law, or a related field.
- Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in environmental compliance, permitting, environmental law, utility operations support, environmental consulting, regulatory affairs, natural resource management, or related fields.
- Three or more years of leadership experience managing staff, budgets, and complex environmental programs.
- Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying environmental laws, regulations, permits, and agency requirements.
- Experience working directly with environmental regulatory agencies and governmental entities.
- Experience managing complex environmental compliance or permitting matters affecting utility, infrastructure, industrial, energy, or public-sector operations.
- Extensive knowledge of federal and state environmental statutes and regulations concerning air quality, water quality, waste management, natural resources, and environmental permitting.
- Solid understanding of utility operations and environmental requirements associated with gas, water, wastewater, storage, transmission, distribution, and treatment systems.
- Ability to assess environmental risk and develop practical compliance and permitting strategies.
- Demonstrated success building productive relationships with regulators, community stakeholders, and industry organizations.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and leadership skills, including the ability to explain complex environmental and regulatory issues to executive leadership and boards of directors.
- Ability to foster strong partnerships with business and operations partners at all levels.
- Strong project management, organizational, and strategic planning capabilities.
- Ability to balance environmental compliance obligations with operational, commercial, and customer service objectives.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Natural Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
- Juris Doctor (JD) with experience in environmental, natural resources, energy, administrative, utility, or regulatory law.
- Experience supporting regulated gas, water, wastewater, electric, pipeline, or other industrial operations.
- Experience with environmental enforcement actions, settlements, permit appeals, administrative proceedings, or regulatory litigation.
- Experience leading environmental programs across multiple jurisdictions or states.
- Experience supporting major infrastructure development, utility construction, and capital investment programs.
- Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), or similar credential.
Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and oversee enterprise-wide environmental compliance programs for gas and water utility operations.
- Ensure compliance with environmental permits, regulatory orders, and other environmental requirements.
- Direct programs for air quality and emissions; water quality and watershed protection; stormwater and wastewater; waste and hazardous materials; wetlands, natural resources, and habitat; spill prevention and incident response; and environmental monitoring and reporting.
- Develop and maintain Environmental Management Plans and environmental management systems; monitor emerging regulations and assess their impacts; establish environmental policies, standards, and best practices.
- Lead environmental permitting strategies for utility infrastructure projects, facility expansions, operational modifications, and capital programs.
- Direct the acquisition, renewal, and modification of environmental permits and approvals; support project teams on environmental review, permitting, mitigation, and compliance obligations.
- Provide environmental support for construction, system expansion, renewable energy, and utility infrastructure investments; oversee environmental due diligence for transactions.
- Manage environmental consultants, technical specialists, laboratories, and outside experts.
- Serve as environmental liaison with federal, state, tribal, and local agencies; lead inspections, audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory inquiries.
- Coordinate with internal legal counsel on notices of violation, enforcement matters, consent orders, corrective action plans, litigation, permitting disputes, and regulatory strategy.
- Support administrative proceedings, regulatory filings, rate proceedings, and contested permit matters; serve as an expert witness or technical representative when appropriate.
- Identify, assess, and manage environmental risks; recommend approaches to environmental liabilities and compliance risks; support incident investigations and remediation.
- Advise executive leadership on environmental trends, emerging regulations, and business risks; support sustainability, resilience, and stewardship initiatives aligned with business objectives.
- Lead, mentor, and develop environmental professionals and technical staff; set departmental objectives, performance measures, and priorities.
- Develop and manage operating and capital budgets; build partnerships across operational, engineering, construction, regulatory, legal, compliance, safety, and executive teams.
- Promote environmental accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
Benefits
- Competitive health insurance benefits with employer contributions.
- Free access to an online wellness resources platform.
- Up to 23 vacation days.
- 80 hours of sick time.
- 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays.
- Three weeks of paid parental leave.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council and Employee Resource Groups.
- Onsite exercise facility and secure bike room.
- Annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary.
- 401(k) company contribution and match.
- 15% discount on NW Natural stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Program.
- Up to $5,250 per year in tuition reimbursement.
- Wellness incentive program.
- 20% discount on natural gas service.
- Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center.
- TriMet Pass for headquarters employees.
- Discounts with Verizon and AT&T Wireless.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
