Environmental Specialist-Waste Management & SPCC

Mesabi Metallics Company LLC; Minnesota; On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Professional development

Job summary

Mesabi Metallics is seeking an Environmental Engineer/Specialist – Waste Management & SPCC to develop and maintain environmental compliance programs at our Minnesota taconite facility. You will manage waste streams, oversee storage, and coordinate shipments while ensuring adherence to RCRA and MPCA regulations.

You will lead investigations, prepare regulatory reports, train operations staff, and drive continuous improvements in spill prevention and emergency response.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in environmental compliance and monitoring.
• Working knowledge of federal and Minnesota state regulations and processes.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage facility-wide waste management programs to ensure compliance with RCRA and Minnesota hazardous waste regulations.
• Coordinate characterization, profiling, storage, transportation, recycling, and disposal of hazardous, non-hazardous, universal, industrial, and special wastes.
• Conduct waste determinations and maintain documentation supporting waste classifications.
• Oversee hazardous waste accumulation areas, satellite accumulation areas, universal waste collection areas, and waste storage facilities.
• Coordinate waste shipments and maintain manifests, land disposal restriction notifications, bills of lading, and disposal records.
• Prepare and submit required regulatory reports, notifications, registrations, and annual waste reporting documentation.
• Conduct routine inspections of waste storage areas and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Manage contracts and relationships with waste disposal, recycling, and treatment vendors.
• Evaluate operational changes and projects for waste management impacts and compliance requirements.
• Conduct monthly and annual SPCC inspections of aboveground storage tanks, oil-filled equipment, loading/unloading areas, and secondary containment systems.
• Coordinate integrity testing, preventive maintenance, and inspections for petroleum storage infrastructure.
• Maintain oil storage inventories and ensure compliance with secondary containment requirements.
• Lead spill prevention initiatives and identify opportunities to reduce spill risks.
• Coordinate spill response activities, investigations, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and regulatory notifications.
• Maintain spill records and ensure reporting requirements are met for federal, state, and local agencies.
• Provide guidance and training to operations and construction personnel on compliance requirements.
• Contribute to the development of environmental compliance plans and standard operating procedures for startup and operations.

Skills

Environmental compliance

Regulatory knowledge

Technical writing

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering

Job description

About Mesabi Metallics:

When you join the team at Mesabi Metallics, you become part of a pioneering group advancing sustainable mining practices and driving innovation in the iron ore industry. Our commitment extends to providing a safe work environment, supporting environmental stewardship and generating value for all stakeholders. You will be joining us at a pivotal moment in Minnesota’s mining history as Mesabi Metallics’ cutting-edge iron ore mining and pelletization project is under construction, which will mark the first new mine and pellet plant in Minnesota in nearly 50 years.

You will be immersed in a positive, supportive work environment that values your contributions and fosters your professional growth. Our culture is shaped by our core values: sustainability, integrity, inclusivity, innovation, teamwork, determination and performance, and employees are empowered to make a difference every day. At Mesabi Metallics, you are part of a legacy of excellence, helping shape the future of global infrastructure and industry.

Position Overview

The Environmental Engineer/Specialist – Waste Management & SPCC is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining environmental compliance programs related to waste management, petroleum storage, spill prevention, and emergency response at an integrated Minnesota taconite mining and processing facility. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including RCRA, MPCA regulations, and SPCC requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage facility-wide waste management programs to ensure compliance with RCRA and Minnesota hazardous waste regulations.
• Coordinate characterization, profiling, storage, transportation, recycling, and disposal of hazardous, non-hazardous, universal, industrial, and special wastes.
• Conduct waste determinations and maintain documentation supporting waste classifications.
• Oversee hazardous waste accumulation areas, satellite accumulation areas, universal waste collection areas, and waste storage facilities.
• Coordinate waste shipments and maintain manifests, land disposal restriction notifications, bills of lading, and disposal records.
• Prepare and submit required regulatory reports, notifications, registrations, and annual waste reporting documentation.
• Conduct routine inspections of waste storage areas and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Manage contracts and relationships with waste disposal, recycling, and treatment vendors.
• Evaluate operational changes and projects for waste management impacts and compliance requirements.
• Conduct monthly and annual SPCC inspections of aboveground storage tanks, oil-filled equipment, loading/unloading areas, and secondary containment systems.
• Coordinate integrity testing, preventive maintenance, and inspections for petroleum storage infrastructure.
• Maintain oil storage inventories and ensure compliance with secondary containment requirements.
• Lead spill prevention initiatives and identify opportunities to reduce spill risks.
• Coordinate spill response activities, investigations, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and regulatory notifications.
• Maintain spill records and ensure reporting requirements are met for federal, state, and local agencies.
• Provide guidance and training to operations and construction personnel on compliance requirements.
• Contribute to the development of environmental compliance plans and standard operating procedures for startup and operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field.
• At least 3+ years of experience in environmental compliance and monitoring (preferably in mining, industrial, commercial, and/or energy).
• Working knowledge of federal and Minnesota state regulations and processes.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Salary

• $80,000 - $105,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

Mesabi Metallics offers competitive compensation and benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development and advancement within the company.

Mesabi Metallics is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace.