At Knife River, we take care of our teams because we know they are the foundation of our success. We are one of the nation's largest construction materials producers and contractors, and our goal is to build strong teams that, in turn, build strong communities. Join us and make an impact that will last for generations. The Northwest Environmental Manager is an experienced program leader responsible for environmental permitting, compliance, risk management, and continuous improvement across aggregate mining and processing facilities, concrete batch plants, asphalt plants, fuel storage systems, and related construction materials operations throughout Oregon and Washington. This position advances and administers a consistent environmental program; provides technical and regulatory guidance to operations and leadership; manages agency relationships, consultants, schedules, and budgets; and verifies that facilities obtain and maintain required authorizations. The manager translates complex regulatory obligations into practical operating requirements while supporting responsible resource development, operational continuity, and timely project delivery.
Job Summary:- Lead the Oregon/Washington environmental compliance program for active operations, development projects, acquisitions, expansions, and closures.
- Reinforce program standards, procedures, compliance calendars, inspection protocols, document-control practices, and management reporting.
- Maintain a consolidated inventory of facilities, permits, regulatory commitments, monitoring obligations, reporting deadlines, and corrective actions.
- Advise operational and executive leadership on environmental risk, permitting strategy, project sequencing, agency expectations, and potential business impacts.
- Develop annual program plans and budgets; procure and manage environmental consultants, laboratories, contractors, and outside technical specialists.
- Track regulatory developments and evaluate their operational implications; coordinate implementation of new or revised requirements.
- Permitting and Agency Coordination:
- Lead preparation, submittal, renewal, modification, transfer, and closure of environmental permits and approvals.
Manage environmental quality permits and compliance, including industrial stormwater coverage under the applicable 1200-series permits, Water Pollution Control Facilities permits for process water and related discharges, air quality permits, and other applicable water quality or waste authorizations.
Direct federal Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Section 401 water quality certification with the appropriate certifying authority.
Manage removal-fill authorizations, jurisdictional coordination, mitigation requirements, and associated compliance documentation.
Serve as a primary environmental contact with DEQ, DSL, DNR, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, local jurisdictions, tribes, and other agencies as applicable.
Develop permitting strategies, scopes, schedules, and status reports for complex or controversial projects.
Operational Compliance and Assurance:
Oversee stormwater pollution control, inspections, sampling, monitoring, corrective actions and required reporting for aggregate, concrete, asphalt, maintenance, and support facilities.
Oversee process-water management systems, including settling ponds, treatment and recycling systems, discharge controls, monitoring, recordkeeping, and compliance with applicable WPCF 1000-series permits or facility-specific WPCF permits.
Evaluate and support compliance for aboveground and underground fuel tanks, secondary containment, spill prevention and response, fueling operations, used oil, and petroleum product management.
Maintain or oversee hazardous materials inventories, safety data sheet coordination, chemical reporting, storage compatibility, labeling, inspections, and applicable emergency planning and community right-to-know reporting.
Conduct and document facility inspections, compliance audits, and management reviews; identify root causes and ensure corrective and preventive actions are assigned, tracked, and closed.
Lead or support response to spills, unauthorized discharges, exceedances, complaints, agency inquiries, notices of violation, and other environmental incidents.
Coordinate environmental due diligence and integration for acquisitions, divestitures, leased properties, and new sites.
Water Resources, Technical Review, and Training:
Coordinate wetland and waters delineations, jurisdictional determinations, avoidance and minimization analyses, alternatives evaluations, compensatory mitigation, construction compliance, and post-construction monitoring.
Review technical work products such as sampling plans, stormwater control designs, process-water evaluations, hydrogeologic studies, spill plans, reclamation plans, permit applications, and compliance reports.
Partner with engineering, mine planning, land use, legal, real estate, safety, and operations teams to integrate environmental requirements into site design and operating plans.
Develop and deliver practical training for managers, supervisors, equipment operators, maintenance personnel, and environmental coordinators.
Coach site personnel to strengthen ownership, inspection quality, recordkeeping, escalation, and timely corrective action.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, geology, hydrology, natural resources, chemistry, civil engineering, or a closely related field. At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional environmental experience, including substantial program management, permitting, and compliance responsibility. Demonstrated experience supporting construction materials, aggregate mining and processing, concrete batch plants, asphalt plants, heavy industrial operations, or a closely related industry. Working knowledge of Oregon and Washington environmental regulatory programs and direct experience interacting with DEQ, DSL, DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Demonstrated experience with industrial stormwater, process water, petroleum storage and spill prevention, hazardous materials management, and Clean Water Act Sections 404 and 401.Experience managing multiple facilities, permits, projects, consultants, budgets, and deadlines with limited supervision. Ability to interpret permits, statutes, rules, technical reports, plans, and agency correspondence and convert requirements into clear operational actions. Strong technical writing, verbal communication, negotiation, facilitation, documentation, and presentation skills. Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly to operating locations and project sites throughout Oregon.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in a relevant technical or management discipline.
Professional registration or certification such as Professional Engineer, Registered Geologist, Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, or Project Management Professional.
Experience with air quality permitting and compliance for crushers, asphalt plants, concrete plants, combustion equipment, and related emission sources.
Experience leading agency negotiations, complex permit amendments, enforcement response, environmental due diligence, reclamation, and mitigation projects.
Core Competencies:- Environmental program strategy and execution
- Regulatory interpretation and permitting judgment
- Operational risk assessment and practical problem-solving
- Project, consultant, budget, and schedule management
- Agency and stakeholder relationship management
- Influence across decentralized and multidisciplinary teams
- Clear, defensible technical documentation
- Accountability, discretion, and sound professional judgment
- Work Environmental and Physical Requirements:
This position operates in both office and field environments. Fieldwork may occur around active mines, processing plants, concrete and asphalt facilities, heavy equipment, uneven terrain, water-management structures, fuels, chemicals, dust, noise, heat, cold, and inclement weather. The employee must be able to wear required personal protective equipment, walk active sites, climb stairs or ladders where authorized, and respond to time-sensitive environmental matters. Periodic overnight travel and work outside normal business hours may be required. Measures of Success: Required permits and approvals are obtained, renewed, and modified in time to support business needs. Compliance obligations, inspections, monitoring, reports, and corrective actions are completed accurately and on schedule. Environmental risks and emerging issues are identified early, communicated clearly, and resolved at the appropriate organizational level. Facilities demonstrate consistent practices, complete records, strong agency relationships, and continuous improvement. Projects are managed within approved scope and budget, with realistic schedules and transparent reporting. This job description summarizes the position's primary responsibilities and qualifications. Duties may be adjusted based on business needs. The employer is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to any status protected by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. Please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
