Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions - Regional Environmental Specialist

Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions•Charlotte, NC

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Regional Environmental Specialist supports day-to-day environmental compliance across an assigned portfolio of asphalt and petroleum plants and terminals within a defined region. This field-based, generalist role focuses on inspections, waste management, spill and incident response, sampling and monitoring, employee training, and maintaining audit-ready site records. The Specialist serves as a routine environmental resource for plant personnel and works with the corporate environmental/EHS team, outside consultants, and regulatory agencies on more technical matters, including permit applications and complex reporting. The role involves frequent regional travel, typically 40–60% of the time, including occasional overnight travel. The Specialist works in outdoor and industrial environments and must be able to wear required PPE. The position may require responding to spill or incident calls outside normal business hours.

Requirements

An associate's or bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Health & Safety, or a related field is preferred; equivalent hands-on experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
At least 2 years of environmental, EHS, or compliance-related experience in an industrial, manufacturing, refining, or asphalt/terminal environment is preferred; entry-level candidates with strong field aptitude will be considered.
General familiarity with environmental compliance topics such as waste management, spill prevention, and stormwater is helpful.
Comfort working across multiple sites within a region and building relationships with plant-level personnel.
Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record; frequent regional travel is required.
Practical, hands-on approach to environmental compliance, including comfort walking plants, checking containment, and identifying field issues.
Good judgment in deciding when to handle matters directly and when to involve corporate EHS, legal, or a specialist consultant.
Solid written and verbal communication skills for documenting inspections, writing incident reports, and training plant staff.
Organization and dependability in tracking recurring tasks across several sites.
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook; willingness to learn environmental tracking software and apps.
Ability to work independently in the field with minimal direct supervision while traveling across the region.
Calm, methodical approach to responding to spills or incidents under pressure.
Ability to walk plant and terminal grounds, climb stairs and ladders, and access elevated platforms, tank areas, and containment structures.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 25–40 lbs.
Ability to pass site-specific safety orientation and any required medical or respirator clearance.
Authorization to work in the United States; employment offers are contingent on a pre-employment drug test, background check, and motor vehicle record check.

Nice To Haves

40-Hour HAZWOPER certification, or willingness to obtain it within a specified timeframe.
Additional certifications such as DOT hazmat or first aid/CPR.

Responsibilities

Serve as the day-to-day environmental point of contact for multiple asphalt and petroleum plants and terminals, advising plant management and operators on routine compliance questions.
Conduct routine facility inspections and self-audits, including inspections of tanks, containment areas, waste storage areas, stormwater outfalls, and spill kits; track findings through correction.
Manage day-to-day hazardous and non-hazardous waste handling, including waste characterization, labeling, accumulation-area inspections, manifest completion, and coordination with disposal vendors.
Support SPCC and SWPPP programs by performing inspections, maintaining spill-response equipment, and helping keep site plans current.
Respond to and help lead initial responses to spills, releases, and other environmental incidents; assist with cleanup coordination, notifications, and documentation.
Collect environmental samples and monitoring data, including stormwater, wastewater, groundwater, and air samples; coordinate with laboratories or contractors and organize data for required reports.
Maintain site environmental records and compliance calendars to track inspections, training, and reporting deadlines.
Deliver hands-on environmental training to plant personnel on spill response, waste handling, stormwater awareness, and general environmental practices.
Assist the corporate environmental/EHS team and outside consultants with permit-related tasks, including data gathering, site access, and facility walk-throughs; the role does not own permit drafting or negotiations.
Support EPA, state, and local regulatory agency inspections and site visits by coordinating logistics and providing requested site information; escalate technical or enforcement matters to corporate EHS.
Participate in incident investigations and corrective-action follow-up, helping identify practical site-level fixes.
Flag emerging compliance risks or regulatory changes observed in the field to corporate EHS leadership.
Support environmental aspects of site capital projects and process changes, including pre-startup walk-downs and coordination with site personnel.
Perform other environmental compliance support duties as assigned across the region.