Environmental Program and Project Supervisor

Environmental Program and Project Supervisor

Minnkota Power is seeking qualified applicants for an Environmental Program and Project Supervisor located at our Grand Forks, North Dakota headquarters.

Position Summary 

Environmental Program/Project Supervisor, supervises environmental staff and environmental compliance for Minnkota’s transmission/substation programs and project permitting. This role requires application of knowledge and skills to evaluate and determine the impact of Minnkota’s commercial activities and an ability to engage and advise internal and external stakeholders on environmental best practices and compliance obligations. Additionally, the role requires a demonstration of commitment to safety and environmental compliance in all job aspects, among other duties.

The salary range for this position begins at $113,820 per year. Appropriate pay will be determined based on a candidate's skills, education, and previous relevant experience.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Support Transmission/Substation Engineering Managers, Project Management Office and staff with the development of critical issues analyses and siting studies to ensure environmental regulatory compliance.
   1. Provides guidance on environmental compliance activities to Minnkota department Managers and staff.
   2. Acquires, maintains and analyzes data associated with air, water, solid waste, and hazardous waste programs, including permitting and compliance reporting
   3. Facilitates development of necessary permitting information in conjunction with Minnkota staff, consultants, and regulatory personnel in support of Minnkota's interests
   4. Supervises the environmental department planning to ensure cost-effective compliance with regulatory compliance.
   5. Prepares guidelines and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
   6. Meets with regulatory agencies as is required.
2. Support Project Managers and staff with the preparation and production of land use and resource permit applications for federal, state, and local agencies and jurisdictions.
   1. Evaluates proposed substation and transmission lines projects for environmental impacts to ensure environmental compliance.
   2. Serves as an environmental project team lead with other departments. Interacts with operations, engineering, regulatory, and right of way (ROW) departments to provide environmental support services.
   3. Works with Engineering and ROW Managers to assess potential environmental issues with current or proposed substation locations and transmission line routes. Communicate program requirements to Project Managers.
   4. Works with Engineering Management and Project Management Office to develop alternatives for larger projects.
   5. Lead the coordination of project logistics and work with other team members to facilitate the workflow for project deliverables through tasking, draft development, internal reviews, submittal, and responses to comments.
   6. Support Project Managers with project schedules and tracking of budgets and deliverables.
   7. Facilitate project meetings, stakeholder outreach, public meetings, and tracking and recording stakeholder contacts.
3. Manage environmental studies and resource analyses both independently and working with a team of subject matter experts.
   1. Reviews and supports coordination of environmental recommendations with federal, state, local, and tribal entities, including the public.
   2. Ability to assist with proposals for projects and develop detailed cost estimates.
   3. Facilitates permitting when necessary, including supervising the collection and compilation of environmental data, and preparation of environmental reports for permits and loans.
   4. Manages and coordinates the acquisition of professional services contributing to the preparation of environmental reports for permits and loans.
   5. Support Project Managers with the development of public outreach materials such as strategic communication plans, stakeholder databases, fact sheets, newsletters, brochures, and websites.
4. Supports the maintenance of environmental programs, procedures, training, and compliance activities for Minnkota’s transmission system (e.g. SPCC, wetlands, wildlife management, SF6, RICE, storm water, NDPDES program, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Gold and Bald Eagle Protection Act, DOT Hazmat, and Hazardous Waste Management (RCRA)).
   1. Coordinates audits for compliance and assesses environmental training needs for staff.
   2. Assures compliance with state and federal permits and regulations.
   3. Re-applies and renews permits and registrations as necessary.
   4. Assures appropriate and timely agency reporting and notifications.
   5. Completes required audits and reports to regulatory agencies.
   6. Identifies recommended process improvements, best practices, and lessons learned related to environmental programs.
5. Assists with the development of training and implementation of training programs for best management practices and compliance obligations:
   1. Coordinates assigned tasks relating to the NDPDES program.
   2. Provides oil spill (SPCC) and PCB cleanup training.
   3. Provides required training on DOT hazardous material regulations.
   4. Performs training for completion of and participates in annual nest surveys.
   5. Assists with vegetation management, development, and implementation of a project-specific integrated vegetative management plan.
6. Performs administrative activities to enhance efficiency in environmental compliance and risk management
   1. Monitors environmental laws, Executive Orders, directives and regulations, coordinates and collaborates with environmental staff on preparation of comments to proposed rules specific to water, waste, air regulations. Assist in preparing analytical reports and recommendations for internal stakeholders.
   2. Expands and maintains environmental department databases. Maintains internal tracking systems of conditions of approval and timelines. Performs routine data entry and analysis, including file management and maintenance.
   3. Conveys ideas, findings, and technical information in a clear and logical manner. Present or provide technical or non-technical information or briefings on environmental issues as a speaker at public meetings.
   4. Attend off-site training as necessary to gain or maintain professional competence
   5. Manage and coordinate the performance of outside contractors in preparing project-specific environmental impact analysis.
   6. Maintain positive relationships with regulatory agency personnel

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Required:

• Minimum of a Bachelor of Science in engineering, environmental sciences, natural resources or related field

Preferred:

• Degree in Environmental Engineering or another engineering discipline with equivalent environmental experience

Experience and Skills

Required:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience with environmental permitting, monitoring, or compliance in an industrial setting, including, but not limited to, generation and transmission, utilities, industrial facilities and state or federal environmental agencies
• Demonstrated competency of government agencies’ regulatory processes and requirements
• Ability to work well with and communicate to all levels of management, outside vendors and internal and external clients
• Sensitivity to confidential information is a must
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, follow up on pending items and manage to deadlines
• Strong follow-through skills, attention to detail and work quality
• Ability to act independently with task management roles
• Excellent written communication and proficiency with technical reports
• Motivated self-starter, proactively reacts to mitigate problems
• Analytical mindset and strong problem-solving skills
• Good interpersonal skills, ability to work well autonomously or in a team setting
• Competency with Microsoft Office suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint and OneNote
• This person must maintain a valid driver’s license

Preferred:

• Environmental certification
• Experience in providing for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act process for utility projects. Experience includes the preparation of categorical exclusion environmental reports, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements
• Experience in environmental monitoring