Water Permitting Leader for DRI & Steel Projects

Essarsteelmn; Paducah (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mesabi Metallics seeks an experienced Permitting Manager – Water Resources to lead water permitting strategy and regulatory approvals for its DRI and Integrated Steel Plant projects. The role reports to the Head of Permitting and guides compliance across EPC/EPCM contractors, operations, and regulators.

The candidate will manage permit applications, coordinate wastewater, stormwater, and water resource programs, and ensure integration of permitting with project execution.

Qualifications

• Strong project management, analytical, organizational, and technical writing skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities with cross‑functional project teams.
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field is required.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience supporting water permitting, environmental compliance, or regulatory affairs within large industrial facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead water permitting activities for DRI, integrated steel manufacturing, mining, and related industrial facilities.
• Develop and execute permitting strategies supporting project development, engineering, construction, and commissioning activities.
• Prepare, review, and manage water permit applications, permit modifications, renewals, and regulatory submissions.
• Lead permitting activities associated with industrial wastewater discharge, stormwater management, water withdrawals, groundwater protection, and other applicable regulatory programs.
• Coordinate technical evaluations for industrial water systems, wastewater treatment, stormwater controls, and water management infrastructure.
• Work closely with engineering teams to integrate permitting requirements into facility design, water treatment systems, and operational processes.
• Collaborate with project management, construction, operations, utilities, EHS, EPC/EPCM contractors, and environmental consultants throughout project execution.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies regarding water permitting matters.
• Monitor permitting schedules, regulatory commitments, and project milestones to support successful project execution.
• Identify permitting risks, regulatory changes, and potential project impacts while developing mitigation strategies.
• Support Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), hydrologic studies, environmental reviews, and regulatory approvals as required.
• Participate in environmental audits, compliance inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain permitting documentation, compliance records, regulatory correspondence, and project reporting requirements.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Technical writing

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Environmental Engineering

Civil Engineering

Environmental Science

Chemical Engineering

Job description

Mesabi Metallics seeks an experienced Permitting Manager – Water Resources to lead water permitting strategy and regulatory approvals for its DRI and Integrated Steel Plant projects. The role reports to the Head of Permitting and guides compliance across EPC/EPCM contractors, operations, and regulators.

The candidate will manage permit applications, coordinate wastewater, stormwater, and water resource programs, and ensure integration of permitting with project execution.