Career Opportunity:

The Environmental Manager is part of the Mill management team and leads the Environmental Services Department. The department provides environmental support to a large integrated pulp and paper mill.

This role assures the Mill’s compliance with all applicable environmental requirements by developing and implementing appropriate environmental management systems and by overseeing the activities of the Environmental Services Department and contract resources.

• At least five years’ experience in industrial air, water, and hazardous waste management.
• Basic understanding of pulp and paper processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams in a timely and cost-effective manner with focus on attaining goals.
• Demonstrated understanding of environmental laws pertaining to the pulp and paper industry and ability to implement an EMS to satisfy regulatory requirements and company objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with internal and external customers.
• At least five years environmental experience in the pulp and paper industry.
• BS in Physical or Biological Disciplines; or Environmental, Chemical, or related Engineering
• Objective reasoning, exemplary public image, trained or experienced negotiator, ability to deal with bureaucracy also desired.

• Oversees systems and procedures and maintains appropriate files to ensure permit compliance; determine working order of environmental control systems; and detect potential problems.
• Recommend and prioritize lists of environmental projects (capital, maintenance, or housekeeping) which need to be addressed to meet changing regulatory conditions, or to ensure the continued environmental compliance of the facility.
• Assists as part of a Core Group in developing and implementing large capital environmental projects.
• Keeps the Mill Manager informed of the compliance status of the facility with an emphasis on changing regulations or permit conditions.
• Supervises the air quality, water quality, solid waste, hazardous waste, and PCB programs to include: the surveillance, storage, disposal, and recordkeeping programs.
• Leads the mill in implementing company environmental policy and in developing environmentally acceptable, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to assure compliance and prevent pollution.
• Monitors for instances of environmental concern in mill activities (e.g., excessive noise, contractor activities, and unusual discharges) and arranges for corrective action.

• Maintains a central file of the facility’s environmental permits with an environmental calendar for compliance dates for construction, monitoring, reporting, permit renewal, and other specific permit requirements.
• Evaluates compliance costs and effects of proposed environmental permits and/or changed permit conditions.
• Manages negotiations with agencies when permits are sought, renewed or modified.
• Represents the facility before regulatory agencies or environmental hearing boards.
• Manages environmental consultant services, including: assessing need, selection and determining the type and depth of consultant participation.

• Supervises environmental training programs to enhance knowledge and skills necessary for mill employees to be aware of and to comply with environmental requirements.
• Furthers awareness through employee and community contacts.
• Leads mill’s multidisciplinary Environmental Team and promotes departmental participation in environmental activities.

• Responsible for agency notification involving releases of hazardous substances and other mill upsets.
• In conjunction with WestRock Public Affairs, responds to all media inquiries concerning environmental incidents.
• Oversees, or where necessary, takes charge of the company’s containment, cleanup, and disposal operations to include:

• Keeps management informed of pertinent existing environmental laws and regulations.
• Assesses impact of proposed laws and regulations on facility and operations.
• Coordinates with Corporate resources to integrate strategic environmental initiatives and Sponsorship Program in mill environmental planning.
• Becomes involved as appropriate in the regulatory development process with agencies composing regulations which would impact operations.
• Communicates regularly with industry groups to stay informed and have input into regulatory developments and industry responses.

• Monitor outside laboratories such that accuracy, integrity and compliance are assured.

• Develops and maintains key regulatory and community contacts to facilitate beyond mill compliance objectives.
• Responds appropriately to citizen and regulatory agency concerns.
• Interact with state and federal regulators to build trust and respect for the mill’s operations.

• Participate with all other mill functions by sharing technical expertise, support, and specialized knowledge and skills to achieve mill goals and objectives.
• Foster the concept of teamwork and continual improvement to enhance quality in all aspects of company performance.

• Internal: This position requires frequent and routine interaction with mill employees, managers, and supervisors. Contacts include personnel in Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and Accounting dealing with environmental compliance and pollution prevention issues. Also requires frequent contact with management and executive personnel regarding legal and environmental requirements and initiatives pertaining to mill operations.

• External: This position requires frequent contact with government agency personnel to facilitate environmental compliance, negotiate permits and settlement agreements, coordinate inspections, and build a relationship of trust and respect. Occasional contact with elected officials and political committees is necessary in representing mill accomplishments and future requirements. Work with citizen and community groups together with Mill and Corporate Managers to facilitate mill planning and respond to concerns.

• Develop and implement a mill environmental management system which fosters stewardship of natural resources, and is focused on beyond compliance and pollution prevention.
• Evaluate and use environmental management techniques to assure this effort is compatible with operations and focused on long term results.
• Develop strategies to assure compliance by understanding environmental laws and regulations and applying this understanding to mill operating requirements.
• The result of this effort must allow operational flexibility and meet or exceed environmental compliance requirements.
• Inherent in this analysis is cost/benefit analysis, consideration of future operating scenarios, and assessing and communicating potential risk to operations of new environmental requirements.
• The analysis must be designed, if possible, to achieve a result of improved operations and environmental performance.
• This position is responsible for assessing controversial environmental issues, developing mill positions and plans, and communicating these to senior management, employees, governmental agencies and citizens.
• To the extent possible solutions should be sensitive to legitimate concerns as well as operational requirements.
• These situations sometimes require working with individuals and groups which oppose aspects of mill operations.
• The position requires ability to understand and analyze complex environmental laws, development of thoughtful approaches to assure compliance or go beyond compliance, and an ability to maintain high credibility with all levels of company management, mill staff, regulatory personnel and the community.

• On call always for mill emergencies.
• Occasional community liaison representing mill environmental issues.
• Negotiation and facilitation skills.
• Occasional travel.
• Weekend duty responsibilities