Environmental Specialist

nrg Energy; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NRG Energy is seeking an Environmental Specialist/Engineer to support compliance across regional plants and corporate teams. You will evaluate data, inspections, and permits to ensure adherence to laws and internal standards, while supporting corporate initiatives and continuous improvement.

The role requires collaboration with site teams, QA/QC of emissions data, and experience with environmental regulations and data handling tools. Some travel to plants and conferences is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science or related discipline and 2+ years in environmental field, or
• Associate's degree with 4+ years in environmental field, or Master’s degree in related discipline.
• Knowledge of major environmental laws and facility operations is expected.

Responsibilities

• Support and document facility inspections and compliance certifications; participate in regulatory inspections.
• Evaluate tests, data, and procedures for compliance with regulatory requirements and NRG standards.
• Coordinate QA/QC reviews of emissions data and monitoring plan updates.
• Assist with new permits and administrative filings for operational changes.
• Maintain environmental stewardship image and support continuous improvement.

Skills

Environmental compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Data analysis

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Associate's degree with environmental experience

Master's degree in engineering/science

Tools

DAHS

CEMS

DMR

QA/QC methods

Job description

Career Opportunities: Environmental Specialist (45524)

As an NRG employee, we encourage you to take charge of your career and development journey. We invite you to explore exciting opportunities across our businesses. You’ll find that our dynamic work environment provides variety and challenge. Your growth is key to our ongoing success—take the lead in shaping your career development, goals and future!

Overview:

The Environmental Specialist/Engineer is responsible for supporting environmental compliance efforts across regional and plant operations in partnership with established site teams. This role evaluates environmental data, inspections, certifications, permitting needs, and regulatory requirements to help ensure compliance with applicable laws, permits, and NRG standards. The position also supports environmental events, corporate initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts that promote operational reliability and environmental stewardship.

• Working with the established teams and processes at each of our plants to support, facilitate and supplement existing regional and plant compliance efforts.
• Support and document facility inspections and compliance certifications; participate in and document regulatory agency facility inspections.
• Evaluate test reports, analytical data, and procedures for compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, test methods, and NRG environmental standards.
• Respond to environmental events at NRG facilities, as required.
• Coordinate and/or conduct quality assurance reviews of the emissions and analyzer performance data collected by the Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems and monitoring plan updates.
• Coordinate and/or conduct quality assurance reviews of data collected by the water discharge monitoring systems and the monitoring plan updates.
• Ability to develop expertise in various data acquisition and handling software systems; including development of data trends and other statistical analysis.
• Assist established teams to ensure that new environmental permits or other authorizations required (due to changes in operations or law/regulation) are applied for and obtained when needed; including support of administrative filings and internal documentation.
• Maintain the image and acceptance of the Company’s environmental stewardship.

Working Conditions:

• Primarily corporate office, some travel to power plants, agency meetings, and technical conferences.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or related discipline and at least 2 or more years of experience in the environmental field, OR Associate’s degree and at least 4 or more years of experience in the environmental field, OR Master’s degree in engineering, science or related discipline.
• General knowledge of major environmental laws (CAA, CWA, RCRA, CERCLA, etc.) and their requirements, including relevant federal, state and regional regulations and policies.
• General knowledge of industrial plant operations and the associated environmental compliance programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with data acquisition and handling software (DAHS), Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS), Discharge Monitoring Reporting (DMR), Stack testing/methods, Groundwater monitoring and analytical laboratory methods.
• Intermediate to expert level capabilities in Microsoft Excel.
• Working knowledge and utilization of AI tools and bots.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must be a self-motivated, organized, energetic and committed team player.
• An ability to communicate (both verbally and in writing) technical and regulatory topics effectively and with appropriate supporting data.
• Capable of critical and analytical thinking.
• Possess an interest in, and aptitude for, solving problems in a practical, business-oriented manner.
• Ability to work independently and achieve multiple deadlines.
• Experience with environmental regulations, test methods, QA/QC activities, and agency interaction.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and produce quality work products.
• Ability to perform as part of a multi-disciplinary team and achieve optimal outcomes in a matrixed organization.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products.

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.

Official description on file with Talent.

We support the use of AI tools to help you prepare for your interview (e.g., practicing responses, researching the role, or refining your resume). However, during interviews and assessments, we expect responses to reflect your own thinking, experience, and communication. Use of AI to generate or read answers in real time, complete assessments, or misrepresent your qualifications is not permitted and may impact your candidacy.