Ascend Performance Materials - Alvin, TX
posted 4 days ago
About the position
Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. With world scale integrated manufacturing facilities we are able to develop new products from our core technologies, and provide flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of our customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution with five manufacturing facilities in the United States. We have an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to be a part of our Environmental team at our Chocolate Bayou Plant located in Alvin, TX. The ideal candidate will be responsible for driving the site to best-in-class environmental performance primarily for the water and wastewater environmental programs. This role requires an individual who possesses Environmental regulatory knowledge, permitting experience, technical expertise and continuous improvement leadership in operations. This individual should be solution-based and enjoy technical hands-on work, diverse cross-functional teams, and collaborating with site technical, operations and maintenance personnel concerning environmental related issues and improvements.
Responsibilities
- Achieve regulatory and corporate requirements, site and corporate procedure development, self-auditing and drive sustainable compliance
- Engage and interface with regulatory agencies, prepare required documentation and reports
- Review environmental regulations and determine applicability and strategic path forward
- Obtain all necessary Environmental permits to enable the site's growth projects to proceed as needed to meet its Business Plan
- Communicate environmental issues with Environmental team and Site Leadership
- Identify the key Environmental Risks for the site and cooperate with the Environmental team and Site Leadership to develop a multi-functional plan to address risks annually
- Network and work cross-functionally with Operating Units, Technology, Engineering, Maintenance and Training organizations and translate problems/solutions directly into the stakeholders' frame of reference, including the ability to influence without authority
- Develop and deliver environmental training
- Actively engage in site environmental issues, projects, and programs and drive continuous improvement in the areas of Drinking Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, Surface Water, Oil Pollution Act of 1990, Underground Storage Tanks, Aboveground Storage Tanks, and Environmental emergency response management
- Obtain or renew environmental permits from regulatory agencies (EPA, TCEQ, GLO and USACE)
- Ensure the site's wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water regulatory requirements are completed in a timely manner
- Provide leadership on environmental incident and near miss prevention, root cause analysis and behavioral modification to drive a learning organization
- Drive continuous development of environmental knowledge and skills among employees onsite
- Troubleshooting and optimization of water and wastewater treatment systems
- Provide input annually to update the 5-year strategic plan and a focused current year plan for environmental issues
- Drive a sustainable culture of excellence in environmental by fostering leadership commitment, and the engagement of employees and contractors
- Ensure environmental processes are robust and strong across the site
- Maintain a favorable image with communities, regulatory agencies and other companies through active involvement with the TCEQ, EPA, TCC and associations with neighboring facilities
- Deal with agency inspections and enforcement actions
- Lead or participate in environmental audits at the plant and other Ascend plants
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science or higher degree in Engineering, Sciences or related technical discipline
- Minimum three years of relevant experience in water, wastewater, ESSH and/or Operations
- Knowledge/prior experience with Environmental regulations, permitting and developing/executing permitting strategies
- Experience with wastewater treatment, drinking water/potable water treatment and stormwater management
- Proactive leadership and team building skills with the ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization
- Change Management - experience in driving organizational change and accountability
- Working knowledge of Incident Analysis tools
- Solid interpersonal, influential, coaching, facilitation and organizational skills with excellent verbal and written communication capabilities
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple initiatives to successful completions
- Excellent computer skills are required, including sound proficiency with MS Office products
Nice-to-haves
- Certified Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator or ability to become certified within two years
- Certified Public Water Systems Operator or ability to become certified within two years
- Certified Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- Knowledge/prior experience with TaskTrakker, Visium KMS, and/or other Environmental Management Systems software
Benefits
- Access to on-site medical clinics at U.S. facilities
- Global wellness rewards program
- Employee-driven recognition plan
- Commitment to Zero for personal injuries, process safety incidents and environmental releases
- Community engagement opportunities through Ascend Cares Foundation
