Department Manager - Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response

Job Summary

Cowlitz Clean Sweep (CCS), a division of Pacific Northern Environmental, LLC, is seeking a Department Manager – Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response who combines hands‑on operational leadership, technical remediation expertise, financial accountability, and a strong commitment to customers and employees.

Pacific Northern Environmental, LLC consists of six divisions: Advanced Electrical Technologies (AET), Taurus Power and Controls (TPC), Taurus Power Services (TPS), Cowlitz Clean Sweep (CCS), Pacific Northern Environmental Construction (PNEC), and WasteXpress Environmental (WXE). Together, we specialize in commercial and petroleum construction, industrial and commercial electrical services, industrial cleaning, and hazardous‑waste disposal. PNE, LLC is a multistate organization with operating offices in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Hawaii, as well as job sites across the United States.

CCS provides industrial cleaning and spill‑response services to nearly every pulp and paper mill in the Pacific Northwest. We also serve major oil companies and a broad range of manufacturing and industrial clients. CCS has demonstrated its ability to complete large, complex industrial‑cleaning projects on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with stringent industrial health and safety programs. No industrial‑cleaning job is too large or too small for CCS. CCS also provides environmental remediation services, including underground storage tank (UST) removal and decommissioning, site assessment, and cleanup.

The Department Manager – Environmental Remediation & Emergency Response is accountable for the safe, compliant, and profitable performance of CCS’s Remediation & Emergency Response (ER) department. This leader owns the department budget and P&L; develops estimates, bids, and project plans; tracks project performance and change orders; builds customer relationships and secures new work; and supports employee development. The department primarily self‑performs its work and manages subcontractors as needed. The position works closely with the Regional Operations Manager and may be based in Longview, Tacoma, or Portland, with Longview serving as the primary operations base.

Education and Experience Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED is required.
• A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, geology, construction management, business, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• Five (5) plus years of experience in environmental remediation, industrial environmental services, or closely related field operations.
• Three (3) years of experience managing field crews and projects in remediation, environmental services, construction, or a comparable industrial setting, with demonstrated track record of improving field productivity, cost and safety KPIs for subcontractors and CCS field staff.
• Excellent leadership skills, including goal setting, motivating, training and mentorship.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, including writing, speaking and active listening.
• Strong client relationship management, communication, negotiation, and business‑development skills, including the ability to resolve issues in high‑pressure situations.
• Demonstrated experience directing contaminated‑soil excavation, transportation and disposal, demolition, emergency response, and underground storage tank removal or decommissioning projects.
• Working knowledge of environmental sampling, groundwater and dewatering activities, remediation treatment systems, agency reporting, and regulatory closure processes, including coordination with state environmental agencies such as the Washington Department of Ecology and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
• Current UST licenses and certifications are strongly preferred. Must obtain and maintain the state and industry licenses or certifications required to supervise regulated underground storage tank removal, decommissioning, site assessment, and related remediation work in Washington and Oregon within timelines established at hire, and in Montana and Idaho as needed, before performing work that requires them.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a department P&L and budget; prepare proposals, scopes of work, and cost estimates; track project costs and run rates; manage change orders; and achieve revenue and profitability goals.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license, meet eligibility requirements for coverage under the company’s vehicle insurance policy, maintain an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), also known as an Abstract of Driving Record (ADR), and remain eligible to drive under company policy. Reviews are required before employment and annually thereafter.
• Current 40‑hour HAZWOPER certification (29 CFR 1910.120), including 8‑hour supervisor training and current annual refresher, required at hire or obtained within 30 days of hire.
• Incident Command System (ICS) experience and Incident Commander‑level emergency response training (29 CFR 1910.120(q)) are preferred; training can be provided after hire.
• Current OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR, confined‑space entry or rescue, and applicable DOT hazardous‑materials training are preferred but may be obtained through company‑approved training after hire.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead daily remediation operations and workflow across the regional service area to ensure safe, compliant, efficient, and high‑quality execution.
• Establish department priorities and operating plans in partnership with the Regional Operations Manager.
• Maintain a visible, hands‑on presence through job walks, project planning, field reviews, customer meetings, and support of complex work activities.
• Own the department budget and P&L, including forecasts, revenue goals, cost controls, productivity, profitability, and regular performance reporting.
• Develop estimates, bids, scopes, and quotes; approve work within delegated authority and elevate items above established approval limits to the Regional Operations Manager.
• Plan and schedule labor, equipment, rentals, materials, subcontractors, and other resources required to execute projects successfully.
• Track project value, labor, equipment, rentals, subcontractor costs, days on site, production, and remaining scope to manage run rates and protect project performance.
• Identify additional customer needs and out‑of‑scope work, develop change orders, and establish clear stopping points when additional authorization is required.
• Lead and oversee remediation work plans, sampling activities, remediation approaches, agency coordination and reporting, and closure documentation; coordinate qualified technical professionals when specialized review or approval is required.
• Ensure underground storage tank removal, decommissioning, site‑assessment, and related remediation activities meet applicable licensing, notification, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee the Emergency Response department, including 24/7 spill and emergency response readiness, staffing, on‑call coverage, equipment, and overall response performance, and respond onsite to significant events as needed.
• Ensure qualified incident commanders are designated for emergency response events, and coordinate with customers, regulatory agencies, and emergency services as required.
• Coordinate with the Safety Department to ensure emergency response personnel are scheduled for and remain current on required training and medical clearance, and assign only qualified personnel to emergency response work.
• Ensure required spill and release notifications, response documentation, and waste handling for emergency response events are completed accurately and on time, and support Safety Department incident reviews as needed.
• Direct self‑performed crews and manage subcontractors for safety, scope, schedule, quality, documentation, and cost performance.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships, resolve concerns promptly, and support business development and regional growth.
• Partner with the Regional Operations Manager and Human Resources on workforce planning, recruiting, selection, onboarding, and staffing decisions.
• Provide coaching, performance evaluations, recognition, corrective action, and termination recommendations or decisions in coordination with the Regional Operations Manager and Human Resources.
• Ensure employees receive the training, cross‑training, qualifications, and certifications needed for assigned work, in coordination with the Safety Department.
• Develop and improve department processes, project controls, documentation, and performance measures.
• Safely operate company vehicles as required and comply with traffic laws and company driving policies.
• Remain available to respond to time‑sensitive operational, customer, and project needs outside normal business hours as necessary.
• Promote a positive, accountable, productive, and safety‑focused work environment aligned with company values.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Move about offices, industrial facilities, and active jobsites as needed.
• Move work‑related equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time.
• Operate various technological devices, including but not limited to a computer.
• Occasionally ascend or descend ladders and stairs.
• Occasionally work outdoors and in varied weather conditions.
• Serve as the escalation point for emergency response events outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and travel on short notice to respond onsite to significant events.
• Work around active excavation, demolition, underground storage tank, and remediation operations while following required safety controls.
• Wear required personal protective equipment and participate in the company respiratory protection program, including required medical clearance and fit testing.
• Maintain facial hair conditions that allow a proper respirator seal, in accordance with company policy and applicable OSHA requirements, subject to reasonable accommodation where required by law.

Employee Benefit Program

• Medical, dental, and vision plan options for employees and eligible dependents
• Company‑paid and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
• Specialty prescription programs
• Group Aflac options, including hospital, critical illness, and accident plans
• Pretax flexible spending account (FSA)
• Pretax dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA)
• Teladoc telehealth services
• 401(k) plan with discretionary annual company matching contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid training and certifications
• Paid leave for qualifying employees, including vacation, sick leave, holidays, jury duty, and bereavement leave
• Up to $2,000 per year profit sharing for qualifying employees
• Annual company events
• Safety incentives
• Eligible for the Department Manager bonus program and a company vehicle

Employment Information

Equal Opportunity: Pacific Northern Environmental, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, physical, mental, or sensory disability, veteran or military status, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodation will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities, pregnancy‑related limitations, and sincerely held religious beliefs, absent undue hardship.

In addition to federal law requirements, PNE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination and non‑retaliation in employment in every location where we operate or our employees work. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, benefits, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Job Description Disclaimer

This job description provides a general description of essential job functions and is not an employment contract or an exhaustive list of all duties. Employees of Pacific Northern Environmental LLC (PNE, LLC) are expected to perform tasks as assigned by supervisory or management personnel, regardless of job title or routine duties.

Safety‑Sensitive Position

This position is safety‑sensitive because an accident could cause loss of life, serious bodily injury, or significant property or environmental damage and is subject to the company’s drug and alcohol testing requirements, including THC testing were permitted by applicable law.

Pre‑employment Screenings

PNE is a Drug and Alcohol‑Free Workplace. Offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of post‑offer background screening, Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review, and drug testing, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal requirements. Drug testing must be completed within 72 hours of signing the offer letter.