Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Environmental Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a proactive and detail-oriented Environmental Coordinator to join our team. This pivotal role serves as the backbone of our environmental compliance and sustainability programs. You will be responsible for ensuring our operations adhere to all local, state, and federal environmental regulations, while also championing initiatives that reduce our ecological footprint. The ideal candidate is a passionate advocate for environmental stewardship, possessing a strong technical background in environmental science and a talent for translating complex regulations into actionable operational procedures. You will be our on-the-ground expert, conducting inspections, managing data, training staff, and liaising with regulatory bodies to maintain our commitment to a safe and sustainable future.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Environmental Technician or Specialist
Compliance Assistant or Intern
Recent Graduate (Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field)

Advancement To:

Senior Environmental Coordinator / EHS Generalist
Environmental Manager or EHS Manager
Corporate Sustainability Manager

Lateral Moves:

Health and Safety Coordinator
Compliance Specialist / Auditor
Quality Assurance Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and maintain the facility's Environmental Management System (EMS), ensuring alignment with ISO 14001 standards and continuous improvement objectives.
Ensure full compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal environmental laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
Prepare, review, and submit all required environmental reports and permit applications to regulatory agencies in a timely and accurate manner (e.g., Tier II, TRI, Stormwater DMRs, annual emission inventories).
Conduct routine and comprehensive environmental audits, inspections, and risk assessments of facilities and operations to identify potential non-compliance issues and areas for improvement.
Manage the comprehensive waste management program, including proper characterization, segregation, labeling, storage, and disposal of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams.
Lead the investigation of all environmental incidents, such as spills or permit exceedances, performing root cause analysis and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs).
Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory agency inspections, inquiries, and site visits, fostering a professional and cooperative relationship.
Develop and deliver engaging environmental training programs for all levels of employees to promote awareness, competency, and accountability.
Track, analyze, and report on key environmental performance indicators (KPIs) such as waste generation, energy consumption, water usage, and emissions to senior management.
Oversee the site's Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan, including regular inspections and required training.
Manage environmental monitoring activities, including the collection of air, water, and soil samples, and coordinate with third-party laboratories for analysis.
Maintain a highly organized system of all environmental records, permits, reports, training documentation, and monitoring data for audit readiness.
Review and assess the potential environmental impacts of new projects, equipment, or process changes, providing guidance to engineering and operations teams.
Stay current on emerging environmental regulations and industry best practices, advising leadership on potential impacts to the business and recommending strategic adjustments.
Champion and lead sustainability projects aimed at pollution prevention, waste reduction, resource conservation, and energy efficiency across the organization.
Manage relationships and contracts with external environmental consultants, contractors, and waste disposal vendors to ensure quality service and cost-effectiveness.
Participate in or lead the site's environmental or "Green Team" committee, driving employee engagement in sustainability initiatives.
Support the emergency response team by providing technical expertise on hazardous materials and environmental containment during incidents.
Conduct regular walks of the plant and property to ensure compliance with housekeeping standards and environmental program requirements.
Manage the budget for environmental compliance activities, projects, and vendor services, ensuring responsible financial oversight.

Secondary Functions

Support the Health & Safety team with overlapping EHS initiatives and integrated management system requirements.
Contribute to corporate-level sustainability reporting and data collection efforts, such as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) disclosures.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering to integrate environmental considerations into daily work practices.
Assist in community outreach and public relations activities related to the company's environmental performance and initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Regulatory Expertise: Deep understanding of federal (EPA) and state environmental regulations (CAA, CWA, RCRA, SPCC, EPCRA).
Permitting & Reporting: Proven experience preparing and submitting complex environmental permits and compliance reports (e.g., Title V, NPDES, Form R).
ISO 14001: Experience implementing or maintaining an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on the ISO 14001 standard.
Waste Management: Expertise in hazardous and non-hazardous waste characterization, management, and DOT shipping requirements.
Auditing & Inspection: Proficiency in conducting thorough environmental compliance audits and site inspections.
Incident Investigation: Skilled in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies to investigate and resolve environmental incidents.
Technical Writing: Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate technical documents, plans (SWPPP, SPCC), and reports.
Data Analysis: Competency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting environmental data to track KPIs and identify trends.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to documentation, reporting, and compliance verification to ensure accuracy.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences, from shop floor employees to senior leaders.
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to effectively identify issues, assess risks, and implement solutions.
Project Management: Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously with a high degree of organization.
Influence and Training: Capacity to train, influence, and motivate colleagues to adopt and adhere to environmental best practices.
Collaboration: A team-oriented mindset with the ability to work effectively across departments and build strong professional relationships.
Adaptability: Flexibility to respond to changing regulations, operational needs, and unexpected environmental challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

Preferred Education:

Master of Science (M.S.) degree.
Professional certifications such as CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager), REM (Registered Environmental Manager), or P.E. (Professional Engineer).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science
Environmental Engineering
Biology, Chemistry, or Geology
Sustainability Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of direct experience in an environmental compliance role.

Preferred:

Experience in an industrial, manufacturing, or consulting environment.
Hands-on experience with ISO 14001 implementation and audits.
Direct interaction with regulatory agencies (e.g., EPA, state environmental departments).