Environmental Manager
About the Role
This position exists within the Northwest Regional Office, External Partner Services division of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The role works with the Office of Air Quality (OAQ) and is responsible for effectively using a variety of compliance and enforcement tools and resources to improve air quality in Indiana.
The incumbent will work independently as an environmental compliance and enforcement staff member to ensure that regulated sources maintain compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and standards. The position will be stationed at IDEM's Northwest Regional Office in Valparaiso, Indiana, and will cover inspections and complaints within an assigned work area of 12 counties (Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke, Pulaski, Marshall, Fulton, Carroll, Cass, and Miami). The role involves frequent daytime travel, with minimal overnight travel required. A valid Indiana driver’s license is required, and a vehicle is provided for daily travel while on duty.
Responsibilities
- Serve as an environmental expert and provide guidance to regulated communities, government officials, attorneys, and staff responsible for various programs.
- Perform project management duties to ensure effective and timely management of program area needs, including attending meetings and responding to communications.
- Act as a technical point-of-contact for assigned programs, administering environmental programs such as environmental media sampling, data analysis, technical writing, work plan and report preparation, and technical reviews.
- Research state and federal guidance, laws, and regulations related to permits. Contact applicants to request additional information, respond to comments, defend permit terms, and resolve permitting issues.
- Attend and participate in public meetings and hearings regarding permit actions and appear in legal appeals of permit actions.
- Conduct surveys, inspections, and investigations of facilities and sites; review projects/situations; interpret findings; and cite appropriate violations of state and federal regulations.
- Provide technical and regulatory guidance to the regulated community in the assigned geographic area.
- Use all compliance and enforcement tools to ensure regulated sources return to compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and standards in a timely manner.
- Support various programs in assigned agency capacities, including assisting with sampling and analysis work plans and conducting fieldwork following agency/section Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Conduct technical analysis and provide insights to assess environmental impacts and meet state and national regulations.
- Communicate effectively with responsible parties, consultants, affected stakeholders, and interested parties regarding permits, laws, questions, and program-related inquiries.
- Travel on most workdays to inspect, audit, examine, survey, or investigate clients, customers, or other regulated entities and write reports at various sites.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken.
Requirements
- Broad knowledge of theories, environmental protection principles and practices, and program area.
- Thorough knowledge of chemistry, biology, hydrology, mathematics, engineering, and other environmental sciences as they relate to the program area.
- Thorough knowledge of soil, water, air sampling, laboratory analysis, and interpretation as it relates to the program area.
- Ability to conduct surveys, inspections, and investigations of facilities and sites; review projects/situations; read plans; interpret findings; and make recommendations.
- Ability to prepare documents for administrative and regulatory action.
- Excellent research and writing skills for preparing accurate, precise, clear, and thorough reports.
- Ability to effectively interact and orally communicate with parties with diverse levels of environmental expertise, particularly for meetings, hearings, and negotiating critically sensitive issues.
- Ability to interpret and apply legal terminology and practices in a variety of conditions and situations.
- Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
A degree is not required. However, at least five (5) years of environmental or environmental public health experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.
Benefits
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans.
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards.
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution.
- Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match.
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options.
- Robust, comprehensive program of leave policies, including:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave.
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off.
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years.
- Education Reimbursement Program.
- Group life insurance.
- Referral Bonus program.
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits.
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
- Free parking for most positions.
- Free LinkedIn Learning access.
Pay
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may vary based on education and work experience.