Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineer
• Columbus, MS
• Pay Rate: $91,000 - $111,000

Multiple factors, including individual experience, skills and abilities, determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range. This position reports to the Environmental Manager and is responsible for supporting, developing and administering the facility’s environmental processes, programs, and leadership while ensuring compliance with local, state and federal regulations and laws.

As one of the largest softwood pulp producers in the world, the Columbus Mill produces bleached softwood pulp used in paper and specialty products such as absorbent personal care items, pharmaceuticals and photographic-based paper. The Columbus Mill is a fully integrated pulp manufacturing facility, with multiple process lines of wood handling, pulping, and power and recovery boilers.

• Promote an atmosphere of safety excellence by leading by example and intervening when necessary to correct behaviors.
• Interface directly with state regulatory agencies and community members to represent the mill within the community and region.
• Participate in environmental compliance audits and assist the site in closing open action items.
• Prepare, review and update various environmental reports.
• Interact with and provide regulatory guidance to mill operations, maintenance, and management personnel on a day‑to‑day basis.
• Manage day‑to‑day wastewater and solid waste activities, providing supervision to hourly team members.
• Participate as a member of the EHS department and maintain strong relationships with other business unit personnel as well as operating and maintenance department leaders.
• Coordinate and communicate with operating departments regarding regulatory concerns/support, including periodic training for salaried and hourly teams on environmental compliance.
• Work with mill engineering and operations to evaluate capital projects for potential permitting needs.
• Serve on a weekend duty rotation and provide environmental outage coordination for routine and annual outages.
• Coordinate regulatory wastewater compliance testing activities.
• Fill in for the Environmental Manager when needed.
• Act as owner’s representative for contractors providing services within the EHS department.
• Provide visible and active leadership in delivering excellent safety results.
• Complete safety audits to ensure internal and external resources comply with safe work practices.
• Report and communicate safety and performance measurements against objectives.
• Participate in and lead the development of Environmental Management System procedures for water, waste, and air management.
• Actively use and improve existing systems for managing daily activities, including developing standard operating procedures (SOP).
• Initiate and facilitate problem solving.
• Understand and promote Manufacturing Excellence (ME) tools and processes; participate in and lead ME improvement initiatives in the department.
• Support the 5S program for the area and drive improvement projects, audit systems, and excellent results.
• Facilitate the implementation of new procedures and controls required by changes in facilities, products, and corporate policies and procedures.

• B.S. degree in Environmental or Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or a related technical field, or equivalent work experience in a manufacturing environment.
• 2–5 years of experience in environmental compliance is preferred but not required.
• Knowledge and experience with practical application of environmental regulations.
• Demonstrated track record of success in a team environment with a focus on results, safety, and problem‑solving.
• Plant applications and PI Process Book experience preferred.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, SAP business systems, and other databases.
• Experience in the pulp and paper industry is preferred.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Proven commitment to safety and safety processes.
• High level of initiative and motivation with a desire to aggressively learn and develop knowledge and skills.
• Ability to excel with minimal supervision and work independently.
• Strong communication…