Environmental Specialist

Ecolab is seeking an Environmental Specialist to join the team at our Nalco Water, Bedford Park, IL plant! As an Environmental Specialist you will provide leadership and support to the Supply Chain environmental team by managing and executing environmental programs essential to the safe and compliant operation of the Clearing Manufacturing Site, ensuring full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, as well as alignment with internal company policies and standards. What You Will Do: Develop, implement, and maintain site-level environmental programs, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as internal corporate standards. Maintain compliance with site‑specific permits and regulatory requirements, including Title V Air Permit, NPDES and Industrial Discharge Permits, Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan, Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), and applicable waste management regulations. Establish and manage effective working relationships with regulatory agencies, serving as the primary point of contact for organizations such as IEPA, EPA, MWRD, and other local authorities. Drive continuous improvement of site environmental programs, systems, and tools to enhance compliance performance and operational efficiency. Provide strategic guidance to site leadership on emerging and changing regulations, proposed legislation, environmental data trends, and corporate standard updates that may impact operations. Manage and coordinate with third‑party vendors for environmental services, including waste disposal, laboratory analysis, and water testing. Apply sustainability principles with a focus on water and waste reduction initiatives to support environmental performance goals. Oversee waste management processes, including proper identification, classification, and handling of materials in accordance with SDS requirements and regulatory standards. Serve as the liaison between regulatory agencies and plant operations, ensuring clear communication and timely resolution of compliance matters. Deliver environmental compliance training for new employees and provide annual refresher training related to regulatory requirements and waste management practices. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors degree in a scientific or engineering discipline. 5 years of experience implementing environmental programs. Extensive experience within an industrial manufacturing environment, with a strong preference for expertise in air regulatory compliance. Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including but not limited to Title V, RCRA, CWA, CAA, EPCRA, and Class K Pretreatment requirements. Demonstrated experience leading regulatory audits with state agencies and preparing and submitting required regulatory reports (e.g., Tier II, air emissions inventories, user charge reports, pesticide reporting, and hazardous waste reporting). Proficient in database management systems, including Microsoft Access, SAP, compliance tracking tools (e.g., Compliance Calendar, Velocity), and waste tracking systems. Advanced understanding of applicable regulatory requirements, with the ability to interpret and ensure ongoing compliance in a complex industrial setting. Significant, hands‑on experience managing environmental compliance issues in a manufacturing plant environment. Experience developing, tracking, and reporting monthly environmental metrics and KPI data. No immigration sponsorship is available for this role. Preferred Qualifications: Masters degree in a scientific or engineering discipline. HAZWOPER 20‑hour, RCRA, and/or DOT certified. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and collaborate across all levels of the organization and within diverse cultural environments. Annual or Hourly Compensation Range The pay range for this position is $74,700.00 - $112,200.00. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws. Benefits Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market‑competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits. If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here. Potential Customer Requirements Notice To meet customer requirements and comply with local or state regulations, applicants for certain customer‑facing roles may need to: Undergo additional background screens and/or drug/alcohol testing for customer credentialing. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Ecolab will provide reasonable accommodation (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with our application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require accommodation assistance in this application process, please visit the Recruiting Support link in the footer of each page of our career website. Our Commitment to a Culture of Inclusion & Belonging At Ecolab, we believe the best teams are inclusive. We are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran. In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through affirmative action. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr