Technical Specialist HSE Air Permitting and Compliance

Plains Marketing • Houston, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Technical Specialist, HSE Air Permitting and Compliance is an experienced technical subject matter expert who supports air permitting and compliance activities across Plains operating locations. The role provides corporate technical expertise and strategic direction on regulatory compliance, operational planning, acquisitions, divestitures, and capital project development, while guiding Air Program employees in Houston and field locations. The specialist prepares and reviews air permit applications and compliance reports, performs complex emissions calculations, and evaluates existing and proposed regulations for applicability to Plains.

Based in Houston, Texas, this position reports to the HSE Manager – Air. It supports air permitting and compliance from project conception through startup, advises internal teams and regulators, and helps address regulatory and operational risks. The role may require travel of up to 10% annually. The selected candidate is eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off (PTO), and free parking. The role is not eligible for employment-based visa sponsorship; applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration of their employment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, chemistry, math, science, meteorology, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of air permitting and compliance experience, including minor source, PBR, synthetic minor, NSR, PSD, and Title V permitting programs.
• Detailed knowledge of air permitting and emissions sources for pipeline transportation and bulk storage of crude oil and liquid petroleum products.
• Ability to understand, perform, review, and develop solutions for complex air emissions calculations and permitting strategies.
• Experience with federal and state air permitting programs and methodologies for new facilities and modifications to existing facilities, including associated compliance recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of NSPS Subparts Kb and Kc and other federal and state air regulations affecting terminals, engines, boilers, marine facilities, emissions control equipment, and crude oil transportation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical and regulatory concepts effectively to executive leadership, operations personnel, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated cross-functional collaboration with Air, HSE, Operations, Engineering, Commercial, Legal, and Business Development teams, as well as consultants, industry groups, and government agencies.
• Intermediate to advanced experience with Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Ability to travel up to 10% annually.
• Cleared criminal history/background check and satisfactory reference checks.
• Compliance with the company’s drug and alcohol policy, including pre-employment testing.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States for the duration of employment; employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with federal and state air permitting programs in multiple jurisdictions, including Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, California, Louisiana, and Colorado.
• Familiarity with federal and provincial Canadian air permitting and emissions recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
• Experience performing and reviewing air dispersion modeling and regulatory modeling demonstrations, including AERMOD or equivalent applications.
• Experience reviewing and providing technical feedback on air monitoring, LDAR, and OGI results.
• Experience preparing and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, criteria and HAPS emissions quantification and reporting, air compliance requirements, and emissions reduction initiatives.
• Experience with environmental compliance management systems, TankESP emissions inventory software, Maximo, and data management tools.
• Knowledge of federal air regulations and interpretations, including Title V, PSD, NAAQS, GHG MRR, NSPS Subparts Dc, IIII, and JJJJ, and NESHAP Subparts Y, HH, ZZZZ, and JJJJJJ.
• Certified Permitting Professional (CPP), Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), or other relevant professional certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and evaluate work priorities to meet air permitting and compliance deadlines with accurate, timely deliverables.
• Prepare and submit air-related deliverables and data responses supporting permitting, recordkeeping, monitoring, reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Analyze complex technical air permitting and compliance challenges and recommend solutions.
• Provide air permitting support for capital projects, facility expansions, asset optimization initiatives, and operational changes from conception through startup.
• Support compliance demonstrations, continuous compliance programs, emissions inventories, Title V certifications, and compliance assurance reviews.
• Prepare, review, and submit air permit applications and greenhouse gas reports, and develop permitting strategies that meet business needs while complying with applicable regulations.
• Calculate NAAQS, HAPS, and GHG emissions for transportation and storage sources, including tanks, rail, pipelines, trucks, marine facilities, engines, boilers, and associated emissions control equipment.
• Conduct air regulatory due diligence reviews for acquisitions, divestitures, and commercial transactions involving company assets as needed.
• Represent the company in discussions and negotiations with federal, state, provincial, and local regulatory agencies concerning permits, compliance determinations, enforcement matters, and regulatory interpretations.
• Support internal environmental audits and compliance assessments and recommend corrective actions for identified findings.
• Interpret new and existing government regulations as they apply to company operations.
• Provide compliance guidance to HSE Air management, operations, commercial, and legal teams.
• Develop strategic air guidance, processes, and procedures for management concerning organic growth and expansion projects, terminals, pipelines, acquired assets, and other assets.
• Evaluate regulatory and compliance risks related to existing operations, proposed projects, acquisitions, and emerging requirements.
• Participate in industry and trade association working groups on air permitting and compliance, and provide Plains with feedback and strategic recommendations about potential impacts of regulatory changes.
• Review trends in air recordkeeping, monitoring, and reporting; government air initiatives; and industry developments, and communicate opportunities for efficiency.
• Provide technical support and serve as a technical resource for Air Program personnel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Free parking
• Competitive compensation
• Top-tier benefits program designed to support employee safety, health, and well-being

What This Job Offers

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