Senior Director Environmental Affairs

Job Description

Job Description

The Senior Director is responsible for the corporation's environmental policy and compliance support programs.

• Will oversee all aspects of safety, health, and environmental performance, including incident investigation, training, and compliance with various regulations.
• Ensures the reliability of the electric grid and coordinates with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Recommends corporate strategies and corporate positions related to existing and emerging environmental issues and any associated risk exposure for generation facilities as well as headquarters issues.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures that support these corporate strategies and positions.
• Manages efforts involving obtaining environmental permits and approvals for new generation facilities and modifications to existing facilities.
• Leads negotiations regarding environmental settlements with federal, state and local agencies.
• Represents the Corporation's interests in discussions with Oglethorpe Power's operating agent regarding the implementation of environmental solutions at jointly owned fossil facilities.
• Shapes public perception of the Corporation's compliance and social consciousness related to environmental affairs.
• Advises other key management staff with regard to the development and implementation of environmental initiatives.
• Serves as the Corporation's Alternate Designated Representative and as such is subject to civil and criminal penalties related to certifying compliance with applicable environmental regulations.

In the performance of their work all Employees are responsible for being in compliance with corporate and governmental, policies and procedures including environmental, safety, electric reliability, risk management, code of ethics as well as the regulations of FERC, NERC, SERC, EPA, EPD, OSHA, DOT, and any other internal procedures or governmental regulations that may apply to the work of the corporation.

Job Duties:

• Advises Senior Management and directs staff resources responsible for assuring corporate compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. Accountable for maintaining current knowledge of applicable laws and regulations and developing strategies, policies and procedures supporting the Corporation's compliance with all such laws and regulations. Serves as the Corporation's Alternated Designated Representative under the federal emission allowance programs.
• Creates and directs environmental risk management and environmental compliance system (Environmental Management System (EMS)) including necessary routine and special-purpose audits assessments. Provides leadership in the development and implementation of environmental policies and procedures including periodic reporting to Senior Management on EMS performance and opportunities for improvement.
• Develops relationships with federal and state legislators and regulatory bodies, and represents the company as an expert witness at federal, state and local hearings, industry coalitions and technical advisory groups in an effort to assure that environmental laws and regulations are based on sound science and economic principals.
• Recommends the strategy and negotiates with co-owners of impacted generation facilities to resolve all environmental compliance issues.
• Advises senior project management and directs staff responsible for securing environmental permits and approvals necessary to construct and operate new generation facilities or make significant modifications to existing facilities.
• Represents the Corporation's environmental policies and interests in various public forums including interactions with the media. Coordinates with and provides direction to the public relations, communications and legal departments for the implementation of strategies and responses related to environmental affairs.
• Recommends strategy for optimizing the value of the Corporation's emission allowance assets. This includes analyzing and evaluating the risks associated with increasing the value of the asset through emission allowance trading. Serves as the Alternate Authorized Account Representative.
• Participate in utility industry trade groups, professional associations, and research organizations to keep abreast of technical, regulatory, legislative, and financial issues and developments. Assess such information and determine its application to/or impact on the Corporations' generation assets.
• Develops and implements systems designed to ensure that the Corporation's environmental representations, certifications, and reports are complete and accurate.

Required Qualifications:

Education : Bachelor's degree in engineering or science (preferably Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering or an Earth or Natural Science) or Law Degree. Advanced degree preferred.

Experience : Twelve years' experience working in compliance and program management areas preferably associated with electric utilities and electric generating facilities including five or more in a leadership position. Detailed working knowledge of environmental laws and regulations pertinent to the operation of electric generating facilities and a working knowledge of the emission allowance market. General understanding of the electric utility industry and the environmental issues associated with operating and maintaining an electric generating facility. Strong background in electric reliability and air quality/climate change.

Equivalent Experience : Twenty plus years' experience as described above.

Specialized Skills : Excellent interpersonal skills; excellent negotiating skills; Strong verbal and written communication skills; Strong presentation skills.

Travel : 20%

Unusual hours required of this position: This position is responsible for managing the Corporation's present and future Environmental Compliance Program with the objective of incurring no environmental non-compliance associated with noncompliance activities while minimizing the environmental control costs necessary to achieve compliance.