Associate/Environmental Analyst

The Associate/Environmental Analyst at Northern Natural Gas in Sioux City, IA, analyzes environmental impacts of operations, implements management systems, and ensures compliance with regulations. Responsibilities include evaluating legislation, preparing regulatory submissions, managing consulting firms, and advising on compliance strategies. The role requires independent judgment, leadership in environmental issues, participation in trade associations, and financial analysis of environmental impacts. Specialized knowledge in air, water, and species management is essential.
About the position

The Associate/Environmental Analyst is responsible for analyzing the impacts of company operations on the environment and implementing appropriate environmental management systems. This role assists business units and subsidiaries in meeting their environmental goals while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and laws. The analyst evaluates and provides feedback to management on proposed state and federal legislation and regulations, recommending company policies and procedures on environmental matters. Additionally, the position involves preparing regulatory submittals for permits and environmental impact statements, acting as a liaison between regulatory agencies and various company departments. In this role, the analyst will perform complex environmental work that requires independent analysis and judgment, demonstrating leadership in anticipating and addressing evolving environmental issues. The analyst will manage the environmental activities of consulting firms and evaluate proposed state and federal laws and regulations, advising management on their impacts and recommending compliance strategies. Participation in trade associations and task forces to assist in the development of environmental laws and regulations is also expected. The Associate/Environmental Analyst will assist in developing and implementing regulatory strategies for operational permits and environmental impact statements, obtaining necessary permits, and representing the company during negotiations with regulatory agencies. The role includes participating in due diligence efforts and leading environmental reviews for renewable acquisitions, maintaining an understanding of processes within business units, and assisting in continuous improvement of processes with environmental aspects through the company's environmental management system. The analyst will also identify, develop, and implement strategic environmental initiatives to establish external competitive advantages. A working knowledge of environmental issues across various media is essential, along with specialized knowledge in areas such as air, water, and species management. The analyst will evaluate and develop comments on proposed laws and regulations, provide technical leadership to staff, and assist in project planning. Financial analyses of environmental impacts on business operations will also be prepared, along with budget forecasts and documentation of actual performance for assigned environmental services. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Responsibilities
• Perform complex environmental work requiring exercise of independent analysis and judgment.
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• Exhibit leadership in anticipating and addressing evolving environmental issues.
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• Manage environmental activities of consulting firms.
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• Evaluate and provide comments to management on proposed state and federal laws and regulations.
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• Advise management of the impact of proposed regulations and recommend potential compliance strategies.
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• Participate in trade associations and various task forces to assist in the development of environmental laws and regulations.
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• Assist with the development and implement regulatory strategies for operational permits and environmental impact statements.
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• Obtain operational permits and represent the company during negotiations with regulatory agencies on permit conditions, variances or other environmental areas.
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• Prepare and submit testimony in legislative or regulatory hearings as requested.
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• Participate in due diligence efforts and lead environmental reviews for renewables acquisitions.
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• Maintain an understanding of processes within business units and assist in the continuous improvement of processes with environmental aspects through the company's environmental management system.
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• Identify, develop and implement strategic environmental initiatives for establishing external competitive advantages.
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• Maintain a working knowledge of environmental issues for all media.
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• Provide technical leadership to staff.
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• Provide technical input to assist in development of project planning.
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• Prepare financial analyses of environmental impacts on business operations.
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• Prepare budget forecasts and document actual performance of budgeted activities for assigned environmental services.
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• Perform any additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.

Requirements
• Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, environmental sciences or the physical sciences.
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• A minimum of three years of experience in environmental work or equivalent required for the environmental analyst role.
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• Experience in air, water, threatened and endangered or other protected species, NEPA, or waste/land use is preferred.
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• A broad diversity of environmental work experience in private industry, governmental and consulting is preferred.
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• Requires an advanced knowledge of environmental policy, laws and regulations, with the ability to analyze and evaluate complex regulatory proposals and submit written comments.
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• Effective analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
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• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and work with others effectively in a diverse working environment.
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• Strong communication skills with the ability to communicate complex information accurately and understandably in written and verbal form.
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• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with government agencies, trade groups and other industries.
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• Computer skills including competency with spreadsheets, word processors, presentation tools and other various programs; or a demonstrated ability to learn such skills.
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• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.

Nice-to-haves
• Experience in environmental consulting or regulatory compliance is a plus.
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• Familiarity with renewable energy projects and their environmental impacts is advantageous.

Benefits
• Health insurance coverage
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• Dental insurance coverage
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• 401(k) retirement savings plan
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• Paid holidays and vacation time
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• Professional development opportunities
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• Flexible scheduling options
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• Employee discount programs