Environmental Compliance Manager

Position Summary

The Environmental Compliance Manager plays a pivotal leadership role within Port Houston’s Environmental Affairs team. The manager leads a team of coordinators through compliance, permitting, auditing, and a variety of complex environmental programs across air, water, waste, sustainability, construction oversight, remediation, tanks, spills, hazmat coordination, environmental permits, and regulatory oversight with agencies such as USACE, EPA, TCEQ, and NEPA.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and oversee environmental programs with the environmental compliance coordinators.
• Examine Port Houston operations to identify process improvements and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
• Manage day‑to‑day activities of the Environmental Compliance Coordinators.
• Serve as backup to the Director of Environmental Affairs during his/her absence.
• Mentor coordinators and act as Environmental Affairs Director as needed.
• Assist in developing five‑ and ten‑year strategic plans to minimize the port’s environmental footprint, create metrics, and report progress annually.
• Develop scopes of work, negotiate contracts for professional environmental services, and manage environmental consultants.
• Oversee and manage highly complex permits and contracts, ensuring legal compliance, project‑management discipline, cost control, and budget adherence.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies to secure required permitting and align permit limitations with business needs.
• Develop and implement environmental strategies and action plans.
• Assess and implement existing and proposed local, state, and federal regulations.
• Provide education, training, and corporate‑compliance initiatives to support environmental compliance.
• Serve as permit project manager for all non‑marine, land‑based environmental permits, including Nationwide Permits (Section 404/401), TCEQ permits (stormwater, remediation, air, waste), and EPA‑regulated activities such as spill prevention and hazardous‑materials handling.
• Monitor, interpret, track, and analyze proposed environmental, energy, and related legislation at federal, state, and local levels.
• Lead or support NEPA compliance processes, including Environmental Assessments (EA) and coordination of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) when triggered by federal funding or agencies.
• Conduct and/or manage consultants for wetland delineations, biological surveys, and species/habitat impact assessments.
• Oversee Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments to support real‑estate, development, or remediation decisions.
• Promote awareness of emerging environmental issues throughout the organization.
• Conduct inspections, audits, and training to ensure best‑management practices, regulatory adherence, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain compliance records, submit required reports to regulatory agencies within prescribed time limits, and demonstrate ongoing environmental compliance.
• Perform data assessment and analysis of environmental data using GIS and other software tools.
• Act as subject‑matter expert to assess impacts of regulatory changes, participate in policy development, and liaise with industry associations and regulators.
• Identify and prioritize potential environmental risks and develop appropriate control or abatement mechanisms.
• Research proposed regulatory changes, assess impacts, and actively participate in rulemaking activities through industry associations and direct regulator interaction.
• Coordinate and engage environmental and other personnel in developing and implementing environmental goals that add value to the organization.
• Participate in regularly scheduled project review meetings, provide input on work plans, identify risks, and communicate environmental concerns promptly.
• Conduct regular site inspections to assess compliance with permit requirements and monitor construction‑site environmental performance.
• Guide initiatives to minimize waste, avoid accidental releases or spills, and reduce harmful releases to air, water, or soil.
• Assist the Grant Manager with grant proposals for air‑quality or sustainability activities.
• Manage compliance with TCEQ’s Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) or Corrective Action processes.
• Oversee asbestos abatement and disposal documentation.
• Coordinate Tier II hazardous‑chemical inventory reporting with internal departments.
• Track and interpret regulatory updates from EPA, TCEQ, and other agencies; assess implications for Port operations and permitting timelines.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders and consultants to ensure timely, complete submittal of permit applications and environmental reports.
• Maintain documentation, correspondence logs, and project tracking in coordination with the Environmental Compliance Coordinator and project managers.
• Ensure delineation from Channel Marine Regulatory by coordinating joint jurisdictional determinations while focusing on upland and terrestrial permitting responsibilities.
• Represent Port Houston in inter‑agency meetings and public‑engagement forums on relevant topics.
• Perform related duties as required.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resource Management, or a closely related field. Seven (7) or more years of progressive experience in environmental permitting, with a focus on state and federal land‑based regulatory compliance. Prior people‑management experience is required. In‑depth understanding of the Clean Water Act (404/401), NEPA, ESA, RCRA, CERCLA, and TCEQ regulatory programs. Experience coordinating with EPA, TCEQ, and local environmental agencies. Master’s degree is preferred. Certified Professional Environmental Auditor certification is preferred for the auditor function. Demonstrated ability to interpret environmental regulations, communicate permitting strategies, and manage consultants and timelines. Strong analytical, writing, and project‑management skills.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Behaviors

• Strong knowledge of Clean Water Act (Sections 404, 401), NEPA, TCEQ, TGLO, EPA, ESA, MBTA, RCRA, CERCLA, and Clean Air Act.
• Familiarity with TCEQ permitting programs (stormwater, air, waste, remediation) and Nationwide/General Permits for upland development.
• Experience with Phase I‑III Environmental Site Assessments.
• Understanding of wetland delineation, habitat surveys, and ecological assessments.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex environmental regulations.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills.
• Project‑management expertise for tracking multiple permits and deadlines.
• Stakeholder‑engagement experience with agencies, consultants, and internal teams.
• Critical thinking and environmental‑risk analysis.
• Competency in reviewing and editing environmental reports and permits.
• Collaboration across departments and functions; ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Adaptability to evolving regulations and project needs.
• Maintaining organized documentation and records.
• Coordinating consultants, contractors, and field teams for surveys or studies.
• Integrity, professionalism,