Chief Environmental Engineer

Freeport-McMoRan; Morenci (AZ); On-site; USD 112,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing allowance (on-site employees)

Affordable medical, dental and vision

Company-paid life and disability

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Freeport-McMoRan Morenci seeks an Environmental Manager to plan, organize, and evaluate the site’s environmental programs and systems. You will oversee air quality practices, regulatory compliance, remediation, and reclamation projects, and coordinate with vendors and site leadership.

The role requires strong project management and leadership of multidisciplinary teams, with deep knowledge of federal/state environmental rules and site-specific mining operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering in Environmental, Civil, Chemical, Agriculture, Mining, Metallurgical, Geological or similar with seven years of engineering experience in Environmental Management, including Project Management.
• Master's degree in Engineering or related field with five years of Environmental Management experience, including Project Management.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, manages and evaluates the Environmental programs and systems.
• Develops, supervises and assesses environmental safety, compliance, remediation, and reclamation programs.
• Supervises air quality practices and reports compliance issues to site management.
• Acts as Project Manager on large environmental projects (air quality, permitting, remediation).
• Manages vendor contracts for services and equipment; guides site management on regulations.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Environmental/Civil/Chemical/Mining)

Master's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Overview

At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by our core values. Here, you’ll find a collaborative environment where safety is a top priority, all opinions are valued, and people are empowered to grow in their career. Apply Today!

Where You Will Work

Located approximately 50 miles northeast of Safford, Arizona on U.S. Highway 191, Morenci operations (an open-pit copper mining complex) has been in continuous operation since 1939. The operation consists of two concentrators, crushed-ore leach pad and stacking system, a low-grade run-of-mine (ROM) leaching system; four SX plants; and three EW tank houses that produce copper cathode. Morenci is a unique company town where our employees and their families can reconnect with nature through hiking, fishing, camping, hunting and numerous parks. The company offers several amenities, including company housing OR employees who are required to work on-site are eligible for a $750 monthly housing allowance, provided they meet program guidelines, a newly constructed daycare and community center, library, health-care facilities, state-of-the-art fitness centers, a movie theater and a skate park. Our dedicated Parks and Recreation Division plans activities for people of all ages, making sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Visit the Morenci town website to learn more.

What You Will Do

Under limited supervision, plans, organizes, manages and evaluates the Environmental programs and systems.

• Develops, recommends, supervises and assesses environmental safety, compliance, remediation, and reclamation programs
• Supervises, enhances and monitors air quality environmental practices for the site
• Reports environmental compliance issues and makes recommendations to appropriate site management for correction
• Serves as Project Manager on large/complex environmental projects (e.g., air quality compliance, permitting, remediation, or reclamation)
• Evaluates and administers contracts with vendors for the provision of services and equipment
• Provides guidance and counsel to the site management team on applicable programs, practices, and existing/proposed local, State and Federal regulations
• Contributes to site strategic planning and budgeting efforts for environmental systems and issues
• Oversees or investigates and maintains records of environmental incidents and responses as required by law
• Maintains current working knowledge of Federal, State and local environmental and occupational health regulations (e.g., CERCLA, RCRA, TOSCA, SARA, CWA, EPCRA etc)
• Oversees and coordinates all training mandated by EPA, DEQ or other body. Serves as contact with EPA, DEQ or other regulatory body in designated areas
• May represent the site on company-sponsored steering teams, e.g., Freeport-McMoRan Environmental Steering Team
• Performs other duties as required

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Environmental, Civil, Chemical, Agriculture, Mining, Metallurgical, Geological or similar) and seven (7) years of Engineering experience in Environmental Management, including Project Management experience, OR
• Master's degree in Engineering or related field and five (5) years of Engineering experience in Environmental Management, including Project Management experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including air quality, water quality, hazardous materials, waste management, and permitting requirements.
• Extensive experience with air permitting, emissions inventories, compliance programs, and regulatory agency interactions.
• Proven project management skills, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and execution of complex environmental projects.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, scientists, technicians, and environmental professionals.
• Experience managing environmental consultants, contractors, and technical service providers.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage operations, engineering, leadership, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Experience developing, delivering, and facilitating environmental, regulatory, and compliance-related training programs.
• Ability to mentor, coach, and develop technical professionals while building organizational capability.
• Experience supporting large-scale mining operations, including mine planning, tailings management, water management, closure planning, and operational compliance.
• Strong understanding of environmental risk management and environmental management systems (EMS), including ISO 14001 principles and implementation.
• Experience supporting environmental audits, compliance assessments, inspections, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of environmental monitoring programs, data management systems, and environmental reporting requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively with central technical, legal, sustainability, health and safety, and operational groups.
• Experience preparing and reviewing technical reports, permit applications, environmental impact assessments, and regulatory submittals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex technical and regulatory issues and develop practical solutions.
• Experience supporting strategic business initiatives while balancing operational, environmental, and regulatory objectives.
• Experience with tailings storage facilities, closure and reclamation programs, and sustainability initiatives is highly desirable.
• Strong presentation skills, including the ability to communicate technical information effectively to senior leadership, regulators, and non-technical audiences.
• Experience leading significant environmental incidents, investigations, regulatory negotiations, and compliance-driven corrective actions.
• Working knowledge of capital project development processes, including AFEs, capital planning, and project execution within a large mining organization.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment among diverse stakeholders across site and corporate functions.
• Commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

What We Offer You

The estimated annual pay range for this role is currently $112,000-$160,000. This range reflects base salary only and does not include bonus payments, benefits or retirement contributions. Actual base pay is determined by experience, qualifications, skills and other job-related factors. This role is eligible for additional incentive compensation considerations based on company and individual performance. Additionally, this position is currently eligible for annual long-term incentive consideration. Long-term incentives are contingent upon authorized approval under the terms and conditions of the Company's plan and award agreements. More details will be shared during the hiring process. Click here to view a sample of Total Rewards Estimate for this role.

• Employees who are required to work on-site are eligible for a $750 monthly housing allowance, provided they meet program guidelines
• Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits
• Company-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution/match
• Paid time off, paid sick time, holiday pay, parental leave
• Tuition assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted insurance plans for pet, auto, home and vehicle
• Internal progression opportunities
• Learn more about our competitive and comprehensive benefits package!

What We Require

• Candidates may be required to pass a medical exam.
• Candidates must pass all required training and/or testing.
• Employees may be required to work a non-standard schedule, which may include shift work (other than day shift) at a 24/7, 365-day operation.
• Freeport-McMoRan promotes a drug/alcohol-free work environment using mandatory pre-employment drug testing and on-going drug and alcohol testing, as allowed by applicable laws.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Please be advised that Freeport-McMoRan will never request payment for job-related expenses from applicants. If you receive any suspicious emails, please disregard them, and report the incident to [e-mail]