Section Manager Environmental

AK Steel Corporation; Minnesota; On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is seeking a Section Manager Environmental to lead the environmental department at Forbes, MN. You will oversee staff, ensure compliance with permits, and manage environmental reporting and permit applications for the site.

You will monitor data trends, advise on regulatory impacts, and collaborate with leadership to drive continuous improvement in environmental performance. Strong communication with regulators and stakeholders is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or environmental discipline.
• Experience with air emissions and water treatment compliance.
• Authorized to work in the United States full-time.
• Experience analyzing environmental regulations and permits.

Responsibilities

• Lead permit development for Title V air permits, NPDES, and related processes.
• Oversee environmental reporting and permitting strategies for the site.
• Analyze environmental data and trends to drive compliance and performance improvements.
• Manage the site environmental budget and professional development for staff.
• Represent the company in regulatory meetings and hearings as needed.

Skills

Air emission control

Water treatment systems

Regulatory analysis

Work authorization in US

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or environmental discipline

Tools

Environmental management systems (EMS)

Job description

Location: Forbes, MN

Cleveland-Cliffs is seeking an experienced Section Manager Environmental to lead Cliffs’ environmental department at United Taconite. Key responsibilities include leading environmental staff and ensuring that systems are in place to maintain the facility’s compliance with all environmental permits and obligations. The Section Manager Environmental will also be responsible for environmental reporting and permitting for the site, including providing guidance and managing the preparation of environmental permit applications. The Section Manager Environmental will monitor and analyze environmental data and trends to make recommendations for maintaining environmental compliance and ongoing performance improvements. The successful candidate will also assist in review of emerging environmental regulations for their impact on the site and provide feedback for improvements to state and federal environmental rulemaking. This position will report to the Director, Environmental for our Minnesota Mining and Pelletizing business, but will also communicate and interact directly with the site’s leadership team.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Oversee environmental permit application development for new or modified equipment or processes and ensure consistency amongst sites. Primary permitting oversight activities include: Title V air permits (including PSD applicability), NPDES and Stormwater, wetland (Section 404/ Army Corps of Engineers and Wetlands Conservation Act/Minnesota DNR), water appropriation permits (Minnesota DNR), etc.
• Assist in air emission modeling development and permitting strategies to manage strategic air permitting initiatives or permit reissuances/modifications to support business objectives.
• Assist with proactive NPDES/State Disposal System water permitting/reissuance strategies to address evolving regulations or site needs.
• Evaluate proposed projects or process changes for permitting implications.
• Evaluate prospective projects against environmental review obligations (NEPA/MEPA) and assist with EAW/EIS studies, if required.
• Establish strong working relationships with regulatory agency staff to facilitate efficient and timely permit review and approval processes.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with multiple stakeholders, including internal teams, regulatory agencies, and local communities.
• Communicate environmental performance for the site.
• Conduct site environmental assessments and identify potential environmental risks and liabilities.
• Represent the company in regulatory meetings and hearings, as required.
• Develop and oversee the site environmental budget.
• Manage and assist in professional development planning for direct reports.
• All additional responsibilities, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or environmental discipline.
• Familiarity with operation and compliance related to industrial air emission control and water treatment systems.
• Expertise in analyzing and interpreting the environmental regulations' impact on facilities.
• Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 or more years of professional environmental experience, including permitting and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and submitting environmental permit applications and other environmental compliance requirements/reports/documentation.
• Working knowledge of the Clean Air Act (Title V - including PSD permitting, NESHAP, NAAQS, Regional Haze, also preferred), Clean Water Act (Section 401, 402, 404), Minnesota/local air quality regulations.
• Experience with developing, implementing, and/or maintaining environmental management systems.

The salary range for this role is $100,000 to $135,000. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and business or organizational needs.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability. We are a drug‑free workplace and conduct pre‑employment screening as a condition of employment.