Environmental Planner Remediation I, II, III, or Senior

Responsible for compliance focused on remediation, solid waste and groundwater in the operation, decommissioning, and closure/post-closure of Tri-State facilities and its subsidiaries. Responsible for regulatory analysis and application of Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), RCRA Subtitle D Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) rule, Clean Water Act (CWA), Colorado and New Mexico solid waste regulations, and other laws to the assigned facilities. Assist with obtaining necessary permits and approvals, conducting monitoring and inspections, data analysis, technical report writing, managing contractors, and project management.

Note:
There is one position available and the position will be filled at one of four job grade levels: Environmental Planner Remediation I, job grade 7; Environmental Planner Remediation II, job grade 8, Environmental Planner Remediation III, job grade 9; or Senior Environmental Planner Remediation, job grade 10. This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected, and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly-engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes:
Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 40%, Life Insurance, 401K, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Senior Environmental Planner Remediation
Hiring Salary Range: $109,000-139,000
Environmental Planner Remediation III
Hiring Salary Range: $98,000-$124,000
Environmental Planner Remediation II
Hiring Salary Range: $88,000-$111,000
Environmental Planner Remediation I
Hiring Salary Range: $80,000-$99,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education, and/or skill level.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with environmental laws by inspecting and monitoring landfills, ponds, stormwater runoff, surface water, and groundwater at the Colowyo, Escalante, New Horizon and Nucla facilities (as well as other assigned facilities) during operations and closure/post-closure, including reclamation. Monitoring includes, but is not limited to, groundwater and surface water sampling of wells and ponds, and maintenance of all required sampling equipment and systems.
• Manage assigned projects and contractors related to remediation, solid waste, groundwater, surface water, and closure and post-closure activities. Prepare technical specifications and bidder evaluations for assigned projects. Project management includes planning, directing, and coordinating on all project tasks, preparing budgets and tracking, and communicating project status to management and other assignees, as needed.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for Colorado solid waste (Sections 2, 3 and 9), federal Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR), and/or other regulations as designated for assigned facilities.
• Provide proactive environmental and decommissioning compliance support to generation, mining and transmission operations as assigned.
• Conduct and/or review Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) for assigned facilities and properties.
• Lead the planning, developing, finalizing and submitting of environmental studies and reports to appropriate regulatory agencies.
• Lead the development and updating, as necessary, plans for Tri-State facilities and its subsidiaries to comply with agency laws and regulations.
• Manage obtaining all required agency approvals and permits to construct, operate, maintain and decommission (including closure and post-closure) facilities.
• Interface with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (NMOSE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulatory agencies as necessary.
• Assist in the administration of schedules and budget preparation and tracking for remediation projects, as well as the annual functional area budget.
• Assist in conducting self-evaluations of Tri-State facilities and its subsidiaries.
• Prepare technical reports and special projects, as requested.
• Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures and attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of regulations, laws, standards, and best practices applicable to functional area.
• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform other related duties as assigned

SUCCESS FACTORS/JOB COMPETENCIES:

• Planning: ability to think ahead and plan within timelines and resources; develop scopes, plan and schedule work; set priorities and goals; anticipate and adjust for problems; evaluate workloads; measure and evaluate performance against established goals.
• Time management: ability to successfully plan and implement objectives within established timelines and work schedules.
• Ability to analyze problems and develop effective solutions at both strategic and functional levels.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with company values.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong team player: accomplishes tasks by working with others and being a good team player. Recognizes how their decisions may impact others; seeks input from others.
• Computer proficiency in operating a personal computer and standard business office applications including Microsoft Office suite, databases, and other related applications.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal direction as a highly motivated self-starter.

Qualifications

Education and Training

• Bachelor's Degree in in physical or biological sciences or related area, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Strong ability to evaluate new and changing environmental laws and regulations related to operations, remediation, closure and post-closure of industrial facilities (i.e., power generation and coal mines).
• Strong ability to distill and communicate regulatory principles effectively to management and upper management for strategic planning and budgeting.
• Knowledge of remediation practices, technologies and principles relating to the closure and post-closure of industrial facilities.
• Working knowledge of environmental laws and regulations related to operations, maintenance, remediation, closure and post-closure, and knowledge of industry codes applicable to power production and coal mines. Specific knowledge of CERCLA, CWA, RCRA, and CCR required.
• Knowledge of other related laws and regulations such as Clean Air Act (CAA), Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and Oil Pollution Act (OPA) helpful but not required.
• Working knowledge of safety policies and procedures.
• Ability to plan and direct the work of others.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to work around hazardous materials and high voltages.
• Working knowledge of an interconnected system desired.

• Must be proficient with use of personal computer hardware and software.

Other:

• Must be able to demonstrate that they can perform all the essential functions of the position.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% of the time on an annual basis. (Must possess a valid driver’s license.)

DESIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Public Speaking Skills
• Working knowledge of GIS systems (ArcGIS, other)

Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, with electric distribution cooperatives and public power district members in four states: Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Together with its members, Tri-State delivers reliable, affordable and responsible power and energy services to nearly a million electricity consumers across roughly 200,000 square miles of the West.

Founded in 1952 by its member systems to provide a reliable, cost-based supply of electricity, Tri-State is now headquartered in Westminster, Colo., employing approximately 1,000 people across five states.

Tri-State's electricity is generated from coal, natural gas, hydropower, wind, and solar. This power reaches members via a transmission system that includes substation facilities, telecommunications sites and almost 6,000 miles of high voltage transmission lines.

As a member-owned and -governed cooperative, every member has a voice and an equal vote in the future of Tri-State.