Environmental Compliance Manager

GFL Environmental Inc.; Southfield (MI); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plan options

Paid time off

401(k) with employer match

Growth opportunities

Job summary

GFL Environmental Inc. is seeking a Regional Environmental Compliance Manager to join our team serving Michigan and Indiana.

You will monitor and guide site environmental compliance, work with regulators, and ensure permits, reporting and program implementation across multiple facilities. The role requires a 4-year science degree, 10+ years of environmental experience, strong knowledge of RCRA, NPDES, SPCC and related programs, and the ability to travel up to 60% for site visits.

Qualifications

• 4-year degree in natural sciences, environmental management, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive field experience in environmental management, compliance, and permitting in a multi-facility environment.
• Expertise in federal and state regulations (RCRA, CERCLA, CWA/NPDES, CAA/TITLE V, SPCC, NSPS, EPCRA, UST) preferred.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Proficiency with safety/environmental management software and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee all environmental compliance tasks for regulated facilities using SEMS.
• Coordinate permitting, sampling, reporting, and record-keeping across multiple sites.
• Maintain permits, records, and regulatory communications; engage with regulatory agencies as needed.
• Provide training on permit and regulatory requirements to operations teams.
• Lead compliance-related communications with external agencies and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Environmental management

Communication skills

Regulatory liaison

Education

4-year degree in natural sciences or related field

Tools

SEMS

Excel

Word

Job description

Ready to elevate your career?

GFL is expanding! We are officially hunting for our next Regional Environmental Compliance Manager in Michigan —someone ready to bring fresh ideas and grow alongside a dynamic team.

About Us

GFL is one of the largest diversified environmental services company in North America, providing comprehensive solid waste management services from its platform of facilities throughout Canada and 18 U.S. states. Recognized by our signature fleet of bright green trucks and equipment, we offer a wide range of environmental and industrial services to businesses, communities and households, providing a consolidated and sophisticated approach to meeting our customers’ needs. One of the keys to our success lies in the diversity of our services and our ability to deliver robust integrated solutions, all from a single efficient company. We believe that, by providing safe, accessible and cost-effective solutions, we encourage greater environmental responsibility and allow our customers and the communities we serve to be Green For Life.

The Role

GFL is looking for a Regional Environmental Compliance Manager to join our team in the southern Michigan and in Indiana! The Regional Environmental Compliance Manager is responsible for monitoring and ensuring the proper management of all aspects of facility environmental compliance as it relates to policies, procedures and guidelines set forth by GFL and in compliance with all local, state and federal regulatory authorities. This role currently covers Indiana and Michigan and will require approximately 60% local and overnight travel between the 2 states currently with around 40 site locations. This is a dynamic role requiring coordination with facility operations and leadership teams to support and provide direction on regulatory and permit requirements to: drive full facility compliance using GFL compliance tracking tools, communicate risks, and work with operations to implement any necessary corrective actions. Manager will be responsible for overseeing relationships with regulatory agencies, ensure that all reporting is done timely and maintained in facility files, provide responses to agency inquiries, and review regulations for any changes that may impact the business. Manager will be responsible for training operations on permit and regulatory requirements, GFL programs and policies. Additionally, manager will engage with third parties and other regional corporate team members to support compliance activities for facility operations. Beyond technical aspects, the manager will actively participation in supporting the organization multiple functions of business including but not limited to training, project, contract negotiation, planning/budgeting/management, legal and regulatory interaction, general operations, and maintenance.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages and oversees all aspects of environmental compliance tasks for regulated facilities through SEMS by coordinating and supporting all permitting, sampling, reporting and record-keeping functions for the operations including but not limited to:

  • Solid waste programs: maintain local and state regulatory compliance with required permits and related requirements, including but not limited to special waste/non-conforming waste issues.
  • Water programs: coordinate required sampling, analysis and reporting through qualified third parties for stormwater (including SPCC and SWPPP Plans/No-exposure certifications), groundwater, drinking water, and wastewater (including permitting/POTW relations), and follow‑up for any compliance issues.
  • Air programs: support air permitting and compliance programs, including but not limited to odor, emissions, and methane compliance programs.
  • Routinely inspect facilities to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, permit conditions and GFL programs and policies, including coordination of any follow‑up corrective action planning and training for operations team.
  • Manage permitting activities including coordination of efforts between operations, third‑party consultants/laboratories, and regulatory agencies for new permits, permit renewals, and any required modifications as required by regulations and permit conditions.
  • Activities may include and require attendance of regulatory meetings, public hearings and community engagement.
  • Work through closure/post‑closure activities as needed with operations, legal, risk management and third‑party consultants.
  • Maintain all required permits, records, compliance tasks, and environmental events through Safety Environmental Management System (SEMS) and provide Operations updates on overall key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Engage with corporate support partners to assist in improvement of compliance program development, best management practices, standard work instructions, and overall improvement to company policies and programs.
  • Support new acquisition integration as it relates to environmental compliance and permit functions.
• Non‑compliance events: manage any compliance communications and notices of violation, follow‑up reporting, and communication to leadership; mitigate ongoing risk and manage follow‑up corrective action planning; lead compliance‑related written and oral communications with external agencies.
• Training and Support: provide technical information and training to operations team, complete special projects/assignments as required by leadership, and provide expertise on key projects as needed.
• Regulatory Policy Updates: act as subject‑matter expert for region related to environmental compliance and permitting; work with third‑party consultants, associations and government agencies and communicate to leadership on regulatory, guidance or policy changes that may impact operations; provide technical support in related internal and external meetings.
• Corporate Interactions: identify compliance risks and strategically utilize internal controls necessary to ensure operational, legal and EHS & compliance risks are effectively managed and minimized, and report any issues to leadership.
• Continuous Improvement: provide technical review of projects, including recommendations on improvements to safety, design, construction, quality, regulatory compliance, and fiscal responsibility.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• 4‑year degree in natural sciences, environmental management, or related field
• Minimum 10 years of progressive field experience in environmental management, compliance, and permitting in a multi‑facility environment
• Expertise and extensive knowledge of federal and applicable state regulations, laws, and policies including but not limited to: RCRA, CERCLA, CWA/NPDES, CAA/TITLE V, SPCC, NSPS, EPCRA, and UST. Established agency relationships are preferred, and general working knowledge of safety is beneficial.
• Deadline‑driven with excellent organizational and time‑management skills
• Advanced computer skills with proficiency and working knowledge in Microsoft Excel and Word and ability to work with environmental management software systems (Safety Environmental Management System). Exposure to Google working systems is beneficial.
• Capability to handle multiple tasks and competing demands to meet deadlines
• Must be comfortable with a fast‑paced, opportunity‑filled work environment
• Maintain work by effectively using problem solving skills independently
• Ability to develop processes and procedures as well as initiate tasks related to job requirements
• A quick learner with solid work habits who works well under pressure with constant re‑prioritization of duties
• Maintains the highest levels of integrity and confidentiality regarding company information
• Must have strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication as well as presentation skills with the ability to communicate to all levels within the organization
• Ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities, and accomplish goals and objectives
• Work in indoor environment (office or home office) 40% of the time. Remainder of time will be spent outdoors at hauling companies, transfer stations, recycling facilities, landfills or other physical locations. Environmental noise level is usually moderate to loud, occasionally exposed to loud noise, humidity, hot and cold weather conditions, moving mechanical parts, vibration, toxic and caustic chemicals, fumes and airborne particles. Early morning start times are occasional to frequent. Travel (including overnight) is required.

What We Offer

• Health: 4 medical plan options including a HSA with employer contribution & match program, dental, and vision coverage.
• Wellness: Employee Assistance Program with free counseling services, Paid time off.
• Financial: 401(k) with an employer match and competitive wages.
• Culture: Growth opportunities and continuous learning opportunities.

GFL is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Please note that GFL does not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Valid work authorization in the country where the job is located is required. Successful candidates will be required to provide valid documentation confirming their eligibility to work in the country where the job is located prior to their start date.

About Our People

At the heart of GFL lies our greatest asset—our people. So, we're glad you landed here! We believe in great careers, making a positive impact on the environment and supporting our people with their life ambitions. We aspire to create the right jobs in a way that brings you along with us. At GFL, growth isn’t just for our business—it’s for our people. Because we see the potential in all our employees to do whatever it is they set their mind to, and we’re proud to support them in that journey. We consider our employees’ personal goals, helping them create the career, and life, that they desire—whether it’s advancing in their job, learning new skills, forming lasting relationships, or mentoring others, while having time to pursue other life ambitions. With safety and sustainability at the core of what we do, we all come together to form “Team Green”—united by our shared purpose to provide environmental solutions that enable our customers and the communities we serve to be Green For Life. We’re proud to say that working for GFL is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to make a difference and grow tremendously along the way. Regardless of the work we’re doing today, we’ve got our sights set on the big picture—not just tomorrow, but for life. GFL empowers those looking for growth in their career and lives, whether that's on our Field Operations teams or Professional Services teams.

Our Field Operations

Field positions offer candidates across North America the potential for limitless growth and skill expansion as the front line of our organization, making them central to our company's vision of creating cleaner and more sustainable communities.

Professional Services

Corporate positions located in key North American offices grow candidates to form strong client relations, manage key programs and accounts, and ensure our Field teams are operating at maximum efficiency.