Environmental Risk Officer

Bank OZK•Dallas, TX

About The Position

Administers and supports the Bank's environmental risk management program for commercial credit transactions and real estate collateral. Independently evaluates environmental conditions and potential lender liability; determines or recommends risk-based due diligence and mitigation; and provides practical guidance to lending, credit, appraisal, legal, Special Assets, and other partners throughout the loan lifecycle. The position handles moderately complex through highly complex matters based on experience and delegated authority and serves as an environmental risk subject matter resource.

Requirements

Knowledge of environmental due diligence for commercial lending and real estate transactions, including Phase I and Phase II ESAs, remediation, and closure documentation, and specialized environmental studies.
Working to advanced knowledge, commensurate with level, of CERCLA lender-liability protections, federal and state environmental programs, banking regulatory expectations, and current ASTM standards.
Knowledge of commercial credit, loan structure, collateral evaluation, problem-loan and recovery considerations, and the role of environmental risk throughout the loan lifecycle.
Knowledge of environmental professional scopes of work, report quality control, and third-party vendor oversight.
Skill in analyzing complex technical information and translating findings into concise, defensible, credit-focused conclusions and recommendations.
Skill in clearly communicating complex environmental matters to underwriters, lenders, and credit personnel.
Skill in applying analytical, research, problem-solving, negotiation, planning, organization, prioritization, and time-management abilities.
Ability to work independently, take ownership of complex matters, and make or recommend timely risk decisions within delegated authority.
Ability to identify material facts, uncertainties, data gaps, and potential liabilities and determine the additional due diligence or mitigation warranted.
Ability to balance environmental risk, transaction structure, policy requirements, and practical business considerations without compromising prudent risk management.
Ability to collaborate across functions, influence outcomes, manage sensitive or disputed issues, and escalate matters appropriately.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities, emerging risks, and evolving processes while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness, and sound judgment.
Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint, as well as applicable loan, risk, or environmental workflow tracking platforms.
Bachelor’s degree or commensurate work experience, required.
Minimum four years of progressively responsible experience in environmental due diligence, environmental consulting, environmental risk management, commercial real estate due diligence, or commercial credit risk management, required.

Nice To Haves

Coursework or a degree in environmental science, geology, engineering, chemistry, risk management, finance, real estate, or a related discipline, preferred.
Professional certification, licensure, or specialized training relevant to environmental risk management in banking, preferred.
Experience supporting environmental risk management for a regulated financial institution, preferred.
Participation in a professional environmental banking or lender-risk association, preferred.
An established network of industry peers, preferred.

Responsibilities

Determine the appropriate level of environmental due diligence for commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, construction, acquisition, refinancing, renewal, modification, workout, foreclosure, and other credit-related transactions within delegated authority.
Prepare and document environmental desktop reviews and, when appropriate, Transaction Screens in accordance with Bank procedures and applicable ASTM E1528 requirements.
Identify transactions requiring escalated risk assessments based on current or historical property use, operating history, location, collateral characteristics, borrower circumstances, or known or suspected contamination.
Evaluate whether environmental professional reports are complete, technically reasonable, consistent with the approved scope, and sufficient to identify recognized environmental conditions, controlled or historical recognized environmental conditions, significant data gaps, contamination, remediation obligations, and other potential liabilities.
Perform independent research to supplement available environmental information and resolve inconsistencies, data gaps, or unclear regulatory status.
Exercise sound judgment in recommending mitigation appropriate to individual transactions, including additional investigation, remediation, monitoring, reserves, escrows, covenants, indemnification, guarantees, environmental insurance, regulatory closure, reliance documentation, or other structural protections.
Define or confirm scopes of work; obtain or coordinate proposals; engage approved environmental professionals; and monitor assignments, timing, quality, and costs in alignment with transaction needs.
Support environmental professional qualification, performance evaluation, service standards, and approved vendor governance to promote reliable and consistent work products.
Prepare concise, well-supported risk reviews, memoranda, conclusions, approval conditions, exceptions, and follow-up requirements for credit files and RIMS records.