Environmental Permitting & Compliance Specialist

Founded in Australia in 1917, Sims Limited (Sims) is a global leader in metal recycling and circular solutions for technology. We play a critical role in advancing circularity and decarbonisation by supplying recycled materials and re-purposed products that help preserve our planet.


At Sims, we believe in developing our people. With a strong promote-from-within philosophy and a range of programmes that support continuous learning, we offer opportunities for meaningful, long-term careers. Employing more than 4,100 people worldwide, we operate over 155 facilities across 13 countries. As an ASX-listed company, Sims provides the stability, transparency, and professional growth opportunities of a publicly traded organisation, all driven by our purpose: to create a world without waste.

Location

North America Metals (Metro Region) including Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and the New England states.

Purpose of the Role

Provide environmental leadership, guidance, and support to assigned facilities within the Metro Region to ensure compliance with corporate environmental standards, regulatory requirements, and environmental permits.

Support facilities by implementing environmental controls, conducting assessments and testing, and driving environmental compliance and stewardship initiatives.

Reporting To

Environmental Permitting & Compliance Partner

Primary Focus

1. Advance a culture of environmental stewardship by providing leadership, training, guidance, and hands-on support to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, permits, and company standards.
2. Facilitate the development and implementation of environmental practices that address site-specific and regional requirements while supporting the company's commitment to responsible and sustainable operations.

Principal Accountabilities

Environmental Compliance & Permitting

• Support the Permitting & Compliance (P&C) team across assigned portions of the Metro Region, working closely with national P&C management, regional leadership, and environmental legal counsel.
• Lead environmental permitting activities, including permit applications, renewals, and modifications (excluding air quality permitting where applicable).
• Manage environmental compliance programs, including regulatory inspections, Notices of Violation (NOVs), corrective actions, and fire risk mitigation efforts.
• Support proactive regional environmental and regulatory initiatives in collaboration with facility and regional management.
• Review, develop, update, and implement site-level Environmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Support implementation of national environmental SOPs and company environmental programs.

Program Management

• Support and oversee environmental programs related to:
  • Stormwater
  • Air emissions and fugitive emissions
  • Hazardous materials
  • Hazardous and non-hazardous waste
  • Wastewater
  • Petroleum Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs)
  • Inbound source control
• Support environmental remediation projects under the direction of environmental legal counsel.
• Maintain and support the Environmental Management System (EMS), including standards, permit requirements, training, communication, and compliance tools.
• Drive implementation and monitoring of environmental strategic plans aligned with state, corporate, and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in developing, tracking, and improving environmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Regulatory Compliance & Auditing

• Promote compliance with corporate environmental standards, legal requirements, permits, and regulatory obligations.
• Provide guidance and support to regional EHS teams in tracking, managing, and reporting environmental compliance activities.
• Support environmental assessments and audits while coordinating with environmental legal counsel, corporate environmental leadership, and audit personnel.
• Monitor changes in environmental regulations and industry standards and support implementation across business units.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for environmental regulatory inquiries and corrective actions.

Facility & Operational Support

• Collaborate with operations and EHS teams as a subject matter expert on environmental compliance and best practices.
• Support waste management activities, including waste characterization, profiling, storage, handling, shipment, and reporting.
• Oversee data entry and documentation of regulatory inspections within company EHS systems.
• Review regional and site operations to ensure compliance with permits, regulations, and SOP requirements.
• Address environmental concerns related to facility operations.
• Ensure all facilities maintain day-to-day environmental compliance and conduct regular site visits throughout the region.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with regional management and community relations teams to address environmental concerns and support community engagement initiatives.
• Maintain active involvement with industry, trade, and environmental organizations to stay informed of emerging regulations, technologies, and best practices.
• Collaborate with governmental agencies and regulators regarding state-specific environmental requirements and initiatives.

Reporting & Planning

• Lead the development, review, and revision of required environmental plans, including:
  • Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs)
  • Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans
  • Hazardous Materials Business Plans
  • Other required environmental management plans
• Assist with environmental data collection, reporting, testing, and monitoring activities.
• Maintain current knowledge and training regarding applicable environmental regulations and requirements.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Actively participate in Environmental Leading Indicator Programs, including:

• Achievement of predetermined project milestones each fiscal year
• Completion of environmental inspections and assessments
• Environmental training delivery and completion for key personnel
• Maintaining assigned facility Levels of Care
• Support and advancement of the Environmental Management System (EMS)

Experience Required

• Minimum 3 years of environmental compliance or environmental management experience.
• Experience supporting industrial facilities and environmental compliance programs.
• Experience implementing environmental regulations and standards.
• Experience working with environmental regulatory agencies in the Northeastern United States.
• Experience managing programs involving:
  • Stormwater
  • Hazardous materials
  • Hazardous and non-hazardous waste
  • Wastewater
  • Aboveground petroleum storage tanks
• Experience with state regulations impacting recycling operations preferred.
• Experience in metal recycling or a related industrial sector preferred.
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System experience preferred.
• Experience with environmental reporting systems and compliance tracking tools.

Education, Skills & Competencies

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Natural Sciences, or a related discipline, including:

• Environmental Engineering
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Management
• Environmental Health
• Ecology
• Geology
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Physics

Skills & Competencies

• Professional certifications in environmental management, compliance, or related fields are preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with regulators, operations personnel, and leadership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience using state environmental agency reporting and compliance systems.
• Strong regulatory interpretation, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Ability to travel regularly throughout the Metro Region to support assigned facilities.

A career with Sims provides you with the opportunity to work with an organization whose goal is to be the world's safest and most responsible recycling company. Our people achieve this by creating a zero-harm workplace, being exemplary members of the communities in which we operate, and being responsible stewards of the environment. We also offer competitive pay and a range of attractive benefits.

At sims together we are a diverse group of employees who are supported by our equal opportunity policy. To achieve our purpose to create a world without waste to preserve our planet, we are guided by our Principles of Purpose: Be Safe + Well, Band Together, Be Accountable + Transparent, Consistently Innovate, Inspire with Purpose, Celebrate + Have Fun.

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Why Choose A Career with Sims?

Sims is a hub of innovation, offering employees the chance to explore new ideas and technologies while providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth.

With a diverse workforce, Sims fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion where employees can thrive and establish lasting connections. Working at Sims offers the chance to engage with a global network, providing opportunities for travel, cross-cultural experiences, and the ability to contribute to a sustainable future. Sims is renowned as one of the world's leading sustainable companies, empowering employees to make a difference in creating a world without waste to preserve the planet.

Sims prioritizes employee wellbeing, offering superior benefits packages, meaningful training opportunities, and a supportive atmosphere where employees feel valued and heard at all levels of the organization. Sims maintains a strong focus on safety, where individuals are encouraged to challenge themselves, contribute, and support one another, in a collaborative team environment.