Environmental Specialist

Position: Environmental Specialist

Department: Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) / Operations

Reports To: Plant Manager / Environmental Manager

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: DeRidder, Louisiana

Position Summary

The Environmental Specialist is responsible for supporting environmental compliance, permitting, reporting, monitoring, and continuous improvement activities associated with Mainstream Pine Products’ manufacturing operations. This role helps ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations while supporting safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible plant operations.

The Environmental Specialist works closely with operations, maintenance, wastewater, safety, and leadership teams to monitor environmental performance, maintain regulatory documentation, coordinate inspections and reporting activities, and support environmental stewardship initiatives across the facility.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Environmental Compliance

• Support compliance with all applicable environmental regulations, permits, and company environmental policies.
• Assist with management and compliance activities associated with air permits, wastewater permits, stormwater permits, waste management requirements, and other environmental programs.
• Monitor environmental performance indicators and operational compliance requirements.
• Maintain required environmental records, logs, permits, and documentation accurately and timely.
• Assist with preparation and submission of environmental reports to regulatory agencies as required.
• Assists site and corporate SH&E group in the development of plans and procedures to meet proposed and new regulations as required.

Monitoring & Inspections

• Conduct routine environmental inspections, audits, and compliance reviews throughout the facility.
• Coordinate environmental sampling activities, including wastewater, stormwater, air emissions, and waste stream monitoring.
• Investigate and document environmental incidents, spills, permit deviations, or compliance concerns.
• Support corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives related to environmental performance.

Waste & Wastewater Management

• Support management of industrial wastewater treatment processes and environmental discharge requirements.
• Assist with hazardous and non-hazardous waste management activities, including storage, labeling, manifesting, and disposal coordination.
• Coordinate with operations personnel to ensure proper environmental handling practices are maintained throughout the facility.
• Monitoring/inspection of the WWTS systems in accordance with the requirements of the LPDES water and waste permit regulations including but not limited to sampling of water discharges, water quality, groundwater, waste, equipment functionality, levee integrity inspections, SWPPP, SPCC, etc. Communicate as necessary with operations concerning operating constraints.
• Manage facility hazardous and non-hazardous waste program including minimizing, tracking, scheduling and coordinating shipments, preparing manifests, inputting requisitions, and maintenance of the waste stream database including sampling for new waste profiles and renewals.

Regulatory & Administrative Support

• Assist during regulatory inspections, audits, and agency communications.
• Maintain environmental compliance calendars and reporting schedules.
• Support development and implementation of environmental policies, procedures, and training materials.
• Assist with contractor and vendor environmental compliance coordination as needed.
• Serve as liaison with DEQ, EPA, or other regulatory personnel on inspections, on-site visits, meetings, and/or other concerns that arise
• Assist in all administrative and clerical functions for media assigned including data entry for environmental regulatory reports and maintaining files and databases, correspondence, etc.
• Enter requisitions & work orders as necessary for the department. Review and receive merchandise and services using company systems. Maintain the Purchase Card logs for the Environmental Dept. Enter check requests for annual DEQ fees and mail with invoices.

Safety & Operational Support

• Promote safe work practices and environmental awareness throughout the facility.
• Participate in safety meetings, incident investigations, risk assessments, and operational reviews.
• Coordinate with operations and maintenance teams to support environmentally responsible production activities.
• Support emergency response activities associated with environmental incidents as required.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support environmental sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform additional duties as required to ensure environmental compliance/excellence – AFE review, New Chemical Request review, Responsible Care Management System oversight, employee training, etc.
• Assist with special projects, facility expansions, or operational changes impacting environmental compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment

• Combination of office, laboratory, outdoor, and industrial plant environments.
• Exposure to chemicals, wastewater systems, industrial equipment, noise, heat, humidity, and varying weather conditions.
• Occasional overtime, after-hours response, or emergency support may be required.

Employment Type & Schedule

• Full-time position.
• Standard business schedule with additional hours as operational or regulatory needs require.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and qualifications required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Industrial Safety, or related field preferred.
• 2–5 years of experience in environmental compliance, industrial manufacturing, wastewater operations, chemical processing, or related fields preferred.
• WWTS Operator Training Certification preferred.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and compliance requirements, including CWA, CAA, TSCA, RCRA, EPA and other state regulatory standards.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Must have good technical understanding of chemical processes with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be able to effectively interact with all levels of plant personnel, public, and regulatory agencies. Must possess good problem-solving skills, and an ability to prioritize many responsibilities and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare regulatory documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard business software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in industrial manufacturing, chemical processing, refining, or wastewater treatment environments.
• Familiarity with air permitting, wastewater permitting, stormwater management, SPCC plans, and waste management programs.
• Experience interacting with environmental regulatory agencies and conducting compliance inspections.
• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, DEQ/LDEQ, and environmental reporting requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Position requires working in industrial manufacturing and outdoor environments.
• Position requires to standing, walking, climbing ladders, and conducting field inspections throughout the facility.
• Position requires lifting up to 40 pounds frequently.
• Position requires wearing required PPE, including respirators and chemical protective equipment as needed.