Environmental Engineer

Smurfit Westrock•Covington, VA

1d•$62,250 - $103,750•Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Engineer is responsible for environmental compliance activities related to the laws, regulations, and policies applicable to a large, fully integrated Kraft pulp and paper mill. The role focuses on the water regulatory program and helps ensure mill personnel understand and follow applicable requirements. The engineer maintains compliance programs by ensuring regulatory requirements are understood; standard operating procedures and policies include required elements; written programs are maintained and updated as conditions or regulations change; personnel are trained; reports are accurate and submitted on time; and documentation is organized and accessible. Programs include VPDES, VELAP or similar laboratory accreditation programs, SWPPP, aboveground storage tank compliance, EPCRA/CERCLA reporting, and water-withdrawal reporting. The role also assists with permit applications, special projects, operational and engineering support, and site sustainability efforts. It maintains relationships with other departments, helps advance mill water sustainability goals, and supports environmental lab technicians with process analyses and testing. Weekend and holiday on-call duty is required approximately every fourth week, including attending morning meetings, checking for permit deviations or releases, and responding to emergencies at the mill at any time of day or night.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in civil, chemical, mechanical, or environmental engineering, or environmental science.
At least two years of industry experience and environmental compliance experience; pulp and paper experience is preferred.
Experience in a laboratory and understanding of lab procedures and sampling best practices.
Experience with water-permit compliance, permit development, and implementation.
Proficient computer skills, including MS Office—especially Excel and Microsoft Word—and PI Process Book.
Willingness and ability to walk and work indoors or outdoors in an industrial location, including stairs and ladders while wearing required safety equipment.
Excellent communication skills.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
Excellent planning, organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.
Ability to analyze process and environmental data trends.
Safety mindset.
Program development skills.

Nice To Haves

Wastewater treatment plant experience.
Experience with laboratory certification practices.
Experience in the pulp and paper industry.

Responsibilities

Maintain and support environmental compliance programs, including VPDES, VELAP or similar programs, SWPPP, aboveground storage tank regulations, EPCRA/CERCLA reporting, and water-withdrawal reporting.
Ensure regulatory requirements are reflected in SOPs and policies, written programs are maintained and revised, personnel are trained, reports are accurate and timely, and documentation is organized and accessible.
Assist with development of permit applications for submission to regulatory agencies.
Assist with special projects and provide support to operational departments and engineering.
Maintain strong relationships with other departments to communicate environmental needs and expectations.
Drive efforts to meet mill water sustainability goals in support of company goals.
Support environmental lab technicians with periodic process analyses, bacterial testing, and HPLC testing.
Support site sustainability efforts and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.
Perform weekend and holiday on-call duties approximately every fourth week, including attending morning meetings, checking for permit deviations or releases, responding as needed, and reporting to the mill for emergencies.