EH&S Specialist (Air)

Purpose of Job:

The Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) Specialist -Air is responsible for administering ODEC's air quality compliance activities through regulatory analysis, environmental permitting, emissions monitoring, data analysis, and compliance reporting. The position interprets and applies applicable federal, state, regional, and local environmental requirements, including requirements under the Clean Air Act, and provides technical guidance and compliance support to ODEC facilities and operational staff.

The position reviews and evaluates proposed environmental regulatory actions to determine their potential impact on ODEC operations. This position also coordinates with regulatory agencies, consultants, and internal stakeholders, in support of the environmental permitting and compliance requirements associated with ODEC generation and transmission projects

Essential responsibilities include:

• Manages compliance obligations associated with EH&S regulations and statutes with emphasis on air, water, waste, chemical/petroleum storage, and occupational health and safety.
• Supports all new and renewal efforts associated with EH&S permits/licenses/certificates for electric generation and transmission facilities (to include ODEC's distributed generation).
• Prepares and reviews permit applications and supporting documentation, coordinates review of and commenting on draft permits, participating throughout the permitting process to include representing ODEC at public meetings and hearings as appropriate.
• Coordinates various EH&S permit, certificate, and license compliance activities with operations staff, including serving as the liaison/point of contact with regulatory agencies. Prepares and submits required regulatory reports and maintains applicable compliance records.
• Provides guidance to operations staff regarding regulatory requirements, coordinates and manages consultants as needed, and responds to regulatory agency inquiries.
• Coordinates and conducts EH&S audits in collaboration with other EH&S staff, including reviewing compliance with applicable permits, certificates, and licenses; conducting compliance interviews; and preparing audit and inspection reports that document findings and recommendations.
• Supports any other EH&S field assessments, technical studies, and related analyses to support regulatory compliance and environmental and safety programs.
• Reviews proposed EH&S regulations and legislation, to determine impact to ODEC, provides recommendations on the strategy for commenting. Collaborates with regulatory agencies, legislators, industry associations, and consultants regarding proposed regulations and legislation.
• Coordinates the development and revision of EH&S management procedures and plans and maintains environmental and safety management databases, records, and filing systems.
• Analyzes and validates Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) data for ODEC-operated facilities, including monitored operating time, excess emissions, monitor downtime, fuel flow data, and fuel quality.
• Performs ongoing reviews and updates as necessary to ensure data accuracy and integrity for internal and regulatory reporting.
• Advises ODEC facilities on CEMS data validation, regulatory requirements, compliance obligations, and other CEMS-related matters.
• Oversees the environmental allowance management process which ensures ODEC obtains and maintains sufficient emissions allowances to meet applicable federal, regional, and state regulatory requirements for all affected facilities.
• Develops requests for proposals (RFPs), evaluates and shortlists consultants and contractors based on qualifications and proposal requirements, and recommends selections to the Director of EH&S. Manages and administers long-term contracts and coordinates the work of consultants and general contractors.
• Manages the work of EH&S consultants and general contractors, including coordinating schedules, scope of work, deliverables, and project activities, where needed.
• Develops and delivers EH&S training to affected staff as needed to support regulatory compliance, safety requirements, and EH&S programs and procedures.
• Participates on ODEC teams for evaluation and investigation of potential sites for the development and installation of electric generation facilities, including assessment of applicable environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinates wetland delineations, environmental field assessments, technical studies, and related analyses to support environmental permitting and regulatory compliance.
• Provides technical guidance, mentoring, and subject matter expertise to peers and less experienced EH&S personnel.
• Participates in EH&S-related committees, professional associations, and industry organizations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) experience required, including at least three years of experience in environmental permitting and regulatory compliance with a focus on air quality programs.

Critical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Clean Air Act and applicable federal, regional, state, and local air quality regulations, including emissions inventories, emissions and surrogate monitoring systems, recordkeeping, reporting, permitting, and compliance requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and Data Acquisition and Handling Systems (DAHS), including data validation, monitoring, recordkeeping, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of environmental regulatory requirements associated with the Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) hazardous materials regulations, and applicable erosion and sediment control requirements.
• Ability to analyze complex environmental and regulatory requirements, assess compliance implications, and provide technical guidance and recommendations to management and operational staff.
• Ability to interpret and apply Occupational Safety and Health Act requirements, applicable OSHA regulations and guidance, and permits, certificates, and licenses to support ODEC's worker safety programs and regulatory compliance
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with demonstrated ability to use Excel for data analysis, compliance tracking, and regulatory reporting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience applying project management principles and practices, including managing project scope, schedules, consultants, contractors, and deliverables.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical and regulatory information clearly and effectively.
• Ability to develop and deliver effective presentations to a variety of audiences, including management, employees, regulatory agencies, industry representatives, and challenging or contentious audiences.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex contracts, technical manuals, federal and state regulations, regulatory guidance, and other technical documentation.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, engineering, occupational safety, or a related technical field required. A bachelor's degree in another discipline may be considered with significant relevant EH&S experience.

Travel details:

• Approximately 20% travel is required, primarily to ODEC facilities, project sites, regulatory meetings, conferences, and other business locations. Travel may include occasional overnight stays.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

The working conditions and physical demands described below are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this position.

• Requires travel to ODEC facilities, project sites, regulatory meetings, and other locations as necessary.
• Frequently performs fieldwork in varying terrain and weather conditions, including walking over rough or uneven surfaces, through water and wetlands, crossing ditches, and navigating fences or other field obstacles.
• Frequently works outdoors for extended periods and may be exposed to varying and adverse weather conditions.
• Requires the ability to climb ladders and access elevated structures and platforms, including stack ladders and platforms potentially several hundred feet above ground level.
• Requires sufficient hearing, vision, color differentiation, sense of smell, and tactile ability to safely perform field inspections, assessments, and other essential responsibilities.
• Requires the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Requires a valid driver's license and the ability to maintain driving eligibility consistent with ODEC requirements.

We offer a competitive salary, defined benefit retirement security (pension) plan, medical, dental, vision, 401(k) company match, vacation based on relevant years of experience, generous sick time accrual and holiday pay in addition to many other benefits offerings. Please apply via this link www.odec.com/careers for consideration.

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