Hazardous Waste, PCB and Spill Response Program Manager

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. 

City Light is seeking a regulatory expert who will be responsible for guiding the utility’s environmental compliance as program manager in the areas of Dangerous Waste Management, and Emergency Response to Hazardous Substances Releases including PCBs.  This includes developing and leading utility wide compliance strategies and recommending policies to upper management; developing best environmental practices and explicit procedures for utility workers implementing these procedures as part of their ongoing work; developing and updating formal guidance documents and plans (Emergency Response to the Release of Hazardous Substances Plan, Moderate Risk Waste Facility Operations Manual, and the PCB Manual). The position is also responsible for ensuring records required under applicable federal, state and local environmental regulations are accurately created and properly maintained by employees in other business units, and for assembling required annual and occasional formal reports as required under various environmental regulations. This position also develops and oversees contracts with environmental consultants and disposal vendors; and advises on construction and maintenance projects regarding environmental aspects of managing PCBs, dangerous wastes, and spill prevention. Key duties also include developing and maintaining relationships with municipal, state, and federal partners and regulators.

This position will report to the Environmental Management and Compliance Manager.

• Maintain expert knowledge of current federal, state and local regulatory requirements and best management practices for emergency response to hazardous substances releases, dangerous waste management, and PCB use and disposal.  Provide expertise to management and field staff regarding regulatory requirements under several environmental statutes including TSCA, Washington State regulations for dangerous wastes (WAC 173-303) and emergency response to releases of hazardous substances (WAC 296-824), as they apply to the utility’s work and activities.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with Federal, State, and Local regulatory agency personnel.
• As Program Manager for Dangerous Waste Management, Co-Program Manager for Emergency Response to Hazardous Material Incidents, identifies potential gaps and proactive opportunities to enhance City Light’s environmental compliance and protection in these areas.
• Work with field staff and managers in other parts of the utility (including field operations, engineering, and IT) to identify, develop, and maintain effective and efficient tools (including databases, policies, best management practices, written procedures and guidance documents) that support and enhance the utility’s compliance in the assigned program areas. 
• Develop and ensure successful implementation of an ongoing employee training plan to ensure all affected employees understand their job-specific roles, responsibilities, and required procedures for hazardous substances releases, PCB use and disposal, and dangerous waste management.
• Ensure formal procedures are being followed and required records are being consistently and accurately kept by designated staff in business units in Seattle and SCL facilities across the state that manage various aspects of emergency response to hazardous substances releases, dangerous waste management, and PCB use and disposal.
• Develop utility wide environmental documents and reports as required by regulation or by utility management or internal policy for the assigned program areas. 
• Oversee the utility’s emergency response to the release of hazardous substances program, including establishing and ensuring maintenance of the incident command system and use of proper field methods, completing required reporting, and ensuring implementation of required training.  As a member of a team of colleagues who serve as hazardous substances and regulatory specialists, respond to on-hours environmental emergencies in the field and stand rotating pager duty for after-hours spill response.
• Develop and oversee contracts with environmental consultants and disposal vendors.
• Advise construction and maintenance projects regarding environmental aspects of managing PCBs, dangerous waste, and spill prevention

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in natural or physical sciences, environmental sciences, planning (with emphasis on environmental issues), public administration/policy (with emphasis on natural resources), or related field and a minimum of five years experience in environmental research, environmental law, impact analysis, environmental compliance, toxic substance management, or a related field (Other combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Work may be performed in the field including remote wilderness locations, on rivers and reservoirs, hazardous waste sites, household hazardous waste collection facilities and electrical facilities, and/or in a normal City office/work environment.
• May require rotating on-call duty for spill response and other emergencies. 
• Occasional exposure to hazardous wastes, chemicals, and other conditions requiring safety precautions.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

• Current State of Washington driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility. You must hold a current valid state issued driver’s license from any US state to be verified prior to start date. Out of state license holders will be required to obtain a WA state license within 30 days of hire.
• Hazardous materials/toxics work may require specialized health & safety training and certification.

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Master’s Degree in chemistry, biology, or related environmental field. 
• Significant experience (over 5 years) in environmental compliance analysis and program management, specifically related to dangerous waste, spill prevention, preparation, and response, and PCB spill response. 

• Expertise in federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations governing hazardous materials and oil spill prevention, preparation, and response; dangerous waste management; and PCB management.

• Experience providing leadership, focus and direction to multidisciplinary work groups across organizational lines. 
• Experience developing recommendations for senior management on policy options and program direction. 
• Proven ability to build consensus among broad audiences and stakeholder groups within the organization. 
• Successful at establishing excellent working relations and rapport with peers and regulatory agencies.
• HAZWOPER and DOT HAZMAT qualified or qualified in the past.

• Self-motivated with strong ability to work as a member of the team.
• Demonstrated performance taking initiative and going above and beyond.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Emergency Response Commitment: 

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties—to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

The full salary range for this position is $58.21 to $67.84 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application: 

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement 
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience. 

Incomplete applications may not be considered. 

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications.   Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.