Production Environmental Scientist

Scope of the Role

The Production Environmental Scientist (PES) is responsible for supporting the Manager of Production & Environmental Compliance (MPEC) in the management of the Cooperative’s plant environmental programs. This role is accountable for supporting the operation and maintenance of the cooperative’s production assets, to ensure maximum utilization of human, material, and financial resources in accordance with all applicable regulations.

The PES serves our Members by managing environmental compliance activities at all Production facilities, reducing risk of non-compliance of Member owned generation.  The PES achieves this through environmental monitoring, record keeping and reporting, including Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) operation, Data Acquisition and Handling System (DAHS) operation and environmental data collection.  Reporting duties include preparing all environmental compliance reports, operational reports and various performance reports for both internal stakeholders and external regulatory agencies.

While this role is an individual contributor, the PES will work with the MPEC to proactively identify issues and develop effective responses that align with Cooperative needs and principles.  This role is also responsible for exhibiting GSEC’s cooperative culture.

Essential Job Functions

• Track and ensure completion of all environmental tasks and activities at multiple sites and communicate status as applicable to MPEC, Plant Managers, Production Asset Managers, and Responsible Official/Designated Representatives.


• Assist the MPEC in interfacing with state (TCEQ) and federal (EPA) agency personnel for Production facilities in commercial operation.


• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) during site inspections and investigations.


• Monitor deficiencies identified during agency visits and ensure that corrective measures are implemented. 


• Develop permit revision and renewal packages with contract Environmental Services companies.


• Assist with permitting efforts for new Production facilities and projects.


• Develop plans for compliance with environmental regulatory changes that affect the plants.


• Manage Data Acquisition and Handling System (DAHS) vendors to ensure monitoring software is effective and working properly.  Work with plant staff and Cooperative resources to identify and coordinate any necessary modification/upgrade to the Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and DAHS.


• Coordinate the review all environmental regulatory reports prepared by third-party site personnel to confirm accuracy and sufficiency of material, including timely submittal.  Reporting includes, but is not limited to, Title V reports, EPA Emissions Collection and Monitoring Plan Systems, and Quarterly Air Emissions reports.


• Coordinate the monitoring all Quality Assurance/ Quality Control requirements on CEMS to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.


• Coordinate the investigation and follow-up on environmental incidents, including hazardous material spills, air permit violations, water releases, near-misses, etc. 


• Maintain Environmental procedures to ensure compliance with all environmental regulatory requirements.  Assist with maintaining and auditing compliance documentation and task management activities.  Assist MPEC with the development of Environmental procedures when required by changes in regulatory or operational requirements.


• Acquire and maintain a TCEQ Class D Public Water System Operator license to fulfill the responsibilities of a system supervisor for the non-transient non-community Public Drinking Water system.  These duties include management, reporting, monitoring and completion of continuing education requirements.


• Coordinate the monitoring, inspection, and reporting requirements of the Cooperative’s permitted Industrial Wastewater facilities.


• Routinely analyze and report data gathered by the Cooperative’s groundwater systems, including actionable reports to management. 


• Coordinate the inspection and troubleshooting of the well field data gathering infrastructure.  Work with 3^rd party vendors and O&M contractor to facilitate proper maintenance and optimize functionality and performance of the systems and their components.  Analyze existing systems and develop implementation plans to enhance reliability and availability of water resources.


• Develop and manage tools to identify water treatment facility malfunctions and inefficiencies to assist with stewardship of Cooperative’s vital water resources.


• Other duties as assigned.

Complexity of Problems

Requires independent use of sound judgement with discretion in decision making that potentially impacts the entirety of the organization, Member distribution cooperatives and their consumers. This position is required to advise of compliance risk and impact to the organization when working with environmental and regulatory agencies.

Internal and External Contacts

Internal Contacts: Employees at all levels within the organization.

External Contact: Member Cooperatives, governmental regulatory agencies (RRC, EPA, TCEQ, PUCT, FERC, NERC, SPP, ERCOT), consulting engineers and contractors, general public, local utility companies.

Work location and conditions – Office, Lubbock, TX, with occasional travel required.

Competencies

• Collaboration – Core Competency


• Ethics & Integrity – Core Competency


• Delivery Results – Core Competency

FLSA Status

Exempt

Education, Knowledge, and Experience Required

• Bachelor of Science in engineering or earth science discipline is required.


• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in technical writing. 


• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 suite. 


• Aptitude to learn real-time performance programming, management, troubleshooting and upkeep of environmental CEMS/ DAHS software and hardware required.