Austin Energy Environmental Services Director

AustinTexas; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Energy is seeking an experienced environmental program leader to oversee its environmental services and strategic compliance initiatives. You will direct compliance programs, audits, and training, ensuring federal, state, and local regulatory adherence across a broad portfolio.

The role requires strong project management and leadership, with responsibility for budgets, contracts, and vendor performance, while coordinating with regulatory agencies and legal staff.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, or Public/Business Administration plus 7 years of related experience; 5 years in progressive management.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for environmental compliance, permitting, field services, and lab services.
• May serve as AE's EPA Designated Representative.
• Develop and audit programs to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Local regs.
• Investigate environmental issues, perform root cause analyses, and develop corrective actions.
• Oversee annual O&M and CAPEX budgets, and short/long-term planning.
• Develop budgets, manage contracts, and monitor vendors for deliverables.
• Coordinate regulatory negotiations to reach resolutions with agencies.
• Direct training program development for compliance with regulations.
• Develop plans for environmental processes, procedures, and programs.
• Monitor industry trends and apply best practices.

Skills

Environmental compliance

Permitting

Budgeting

Project management

Leadership

Data analysis

Regulatory liaison

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science/Engineering/Public/Business Administration

Master's degree may substitute for up to 2 years experience

Tools

Budgeting software

Data analysis tools

Regulatory databases

Job description

About This Position

Under nominal direction, this position is responsible for Austin Energy's (AE) environmental services and strategic compliance programs.

Job Description

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

• Provides overall leadership and direction for, environmental compliance and permitting, environmental field services, and environmental laboratory services, to manage a portfolio of compliance and risk programs.
• May serves as AE's Environmental Protection Agency Designated Representative.
• Develops, maintains, and audits AE's environmental programs to ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations.
• Investigates and responds to environmental issues, conducting root cause analyses, and develops corrective action plans. Is responsible for correction to gaps either in terms of reporting data or managing compliance issues; devises the necessary quality control measures to track the effectiveness of operations.
• Directs and provides management oversight of annual Operation & Maintenance (O&M) and Capital Improvement Projects budgets, prepares short- and long-term spending plans, develops and engages in short- and long-range planning activities for program.
• Develops program budgets, and cost benefit analyses, manages associated business and environmental related contracts, monitors vendors to ensure compliance and delivery of required utility environmental deliverables.
• Coordinates negotiations with regulatory environmental compliance issues with Federal, State, and Local agencies to reach resolution and or settlement.
• Directs and provides management oversight, guidance, and approval for the development of training and curriculums required by Federal, State, and Local regulations.
• Develops and evaluates plans and criteria for environmental process, procedures, projects and programs.
• Monitors industry trends in environmental, and water resource planning and implements best practices.
• Serves as a subject matter expert to legal staff regarding compliance matters.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures covering environmental regulations.
• Knowledge of project management.
• Knowledge of managerial and leadership techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of budgeting methods and systems.
• Knowledge of business case development, strategic business planning, reengineering, organizational change strategies, performance measurement, and project management.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in preparing and analyzing budgets, reports, and studies.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in using software applications to perform data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to maintain effective communication and working relationships with government and regulatory agencies, boards and commissions, City employees, and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to direct, coach, and train others.
• Ability to analyze and resolve irregular events.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Environmental Science, Engineering, or Public or Business Administration, plus seven (7) years of experience related to the job, including five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience establishing and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders, regulators, and executive management.
• Knowledge of federal and state environmental laws and rules.
• Experience working at or directly with the EPA and the TCEQ.
• Prior experience participating in or leading an EPA or TCEQ audit.
• Experience managing, supervising or leading a team engaged in environmental activities.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to travel to multiple locations for regular work

Notes to Candidate

This position is responsible for Austin Energy's environmental policies and compliance programs and is essential to ensuring Austin Energy's compliance with applicable state and federal environmental regulations. This position oversees a team that investigates an