Environmental Engineer

The Position

We currently have an opening for an Environmental Engineer. This role reports directly to the Environmental Manager. The Environmental Engineers will provide industry specific knowledge and technical support to an integrated pulp and paper mill with multi-media responsibilities.

The Environmental Engineer identifies, assesses, and resolves problems concerning the environment, mill teams and operations. The Engineer is responsible for ensuring that the mill is complying with environmental regulations, policies, and procedures. The best Environmental Engineers find creative design solutions to pressing environmental problems, requiring a good deal of strategic planning, problem-solving skills, and creative thinking. 

This position involves communication with facility management and regulatory agencies such as the EPA, Ecology, and Jefferson County. Topics include compliance issues, audits, inspections, and compliance reports.

About Port Townsend Paper Corporation (PTPC)

The Port Townsend Paper (“PTPC”) mill is proud to have been in continuous operation for more than 90 years. We use a blend of virgin and recycled fibers (Kraft and OCC pulp) to produce Kraft pulp, paper, containerboard, medium and market pulp. We have built a strong and loyal customer base by developing and nurturing strategic partnership-style relationships.

At PTPC we believe that a healthy and safe work environment is fundamental to the success of all employees. We put that belief into practice every day by managing risk and building safety reliability into our processes and procedures. Engaging and empowering our workforce to maintain world-class safety performance is the pathway to achieving operational excellence. We also strive to preserve the environment, be good neighbors, and remain a valued member of the local community. Many of our employees have enjoyed working at PTPC for the greater part of their careers; we have employees with 20, 25, 30, even 35 years of service. PTPC is proud to provide good, prevailing wage jobs on the Olympic Peninsula.

Key responsibilities of the Environmental Engineer position include, but are not limited to, the following.            

Job Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Environmental Manager.

• Interact with mill team to implement strategies and systems to assure area leaders keep operations focused on environmental impacts, control environmental performance, and compliance with related environmental permits and regulations; and
• Consulting and advising mill operations team on environmental issues, emerging regulations, and best practices to develop practical, cost-effective compliance strategies and projects; and
• Provide environmental technical support in areas of permitting, recordkeeping, and compliance demonstration at a leadership level; and
• Coordinate and support the management of onsite regulatory programs including Storm Water, SPCC (oil storage and handling), limited purpose landfill, ground water monitoring, Wastewater Laboratory, hazardous waste, universal waste, e-waste, recyclables, and all associated permitting, record keeping, reporting, and required employee training.
• Coordinate air quality compliance programs and Air Operating Permit (AOP) required activities including, AOP source testing (coordinate testing schedule and adherence to EPA protocols) Emissions Source/Control Device operations, Preventative Maintenance, Fuel usage, MACT standards, Emission Monitoring (CEMS and COMS systems trends), Record Keeping and reporting compliance programs so that permit conditions are maintained.
• Provide technical support for preparation and/or audit of compliance reports and assure all Environmental submittals (Title V Air, Storm Water, Discharge Monitoring Reports, Wastewater, Waste Management, EPCRA (SARA 311, 312, and 313), Pollution Prevention, Hazardous Waste, Air Emission Inventory, and TSCA) are accurately developed, reviewed, and submitted timely; and
• Lead Chemical Management program for facility, including reviewing and approving chemicals for use.
• Interact with and act as a liaison between the mill and management, hourly workers, outside regulatory agencies, and community members on environmental issues.
• Remain current on regulatory developments that are applicable to environmental compliance at the local, state and federal level and position the mill to manage the impacts.
• Provide support to and back up other environmental staff including occasional work beyond normal work hours and/or on-call availability via phone during mill emergencies, environmental incidents, and scheduled shutdown events to support mill operation.
• Manage environmental compliance projects and continuous improvement initiatives that support business needs and growth.
• Support mill safety and housekeeping programs and initiatives with related responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Technical proficiency in federal EPA, DHS, and other applicable Local, State and Federal environmental agency requirements, and well develop specific knowledge of the state of Washington regulations as necessary.
• Development of a detailed technical knowledge of the kraft pulp and paper process, equipment, applicable environmental regulations, and environmental control equipment if previous experience does not provide.
• Strong understand of air permitting, compliance monitoring, recordkeeping, and regulatory reporting.
• The ability to manage, and organize multiple complex tasks, and large amounts of technical data to compile accurate reports and present in a clear and concise manner is mandatory.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal). Ability to communicate skillfully with employees, customers, vendors, contractors, and regulators.  Comfort with presenting to senior leaders.
• Strong analytical thinking, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Independent thinking and ability to integrate technical/regulatory knowledge into organizational policies, best practices and training.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable working outdoors and in an industrial environment.
• Fully proficient in Microsoft Office Applications

Required Experience

• Excellent administrative skills with good analytical and problem-solving attributes.
• 5 years or more of first-hand experience in the pulp and paper industry.
• Preferred: Level II Wastewater Operators certification (or working toward that achievement).
• Preferred: Certification in landfill operations.
• Preferred: Certification in AHERA Building Inspection.

Required Education

• Degree in environmental, civil, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Master's degree preferred.

Employment Terms

• Full-time, Exempt position
• Salary range: $120,000 to $150,000 DOE.
• Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• 2 weeks paid vacation or more depending on the position.
• Full-time employees receive 160 hours of sick leave upon hire and then earn eight hours of sick leave per month.
• 9 paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
• Retirement plan.
• Employee Assistance coverage with full services, including dietary and nutritional services, retirement planning, and support services.
• In compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Application Procedure

Application materials may be uploaded electronically:

Port Townsend Paper Company Employment

Or by emailing an updated cover letter and resume to: hr@ptpc.com

Please provide three current professional references qualified to assess your experience and ability to perform the duties specified.

Port Townsend Paper Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. We are a drug free workplace.

Salary : $120,000 - $150,000