Environmental Permitting Project Manager
Port Houston
Houston, TX
Description
Thank you for considering a career at Port Houston. We appreciate your interest in joining our team. By applying, you are taking an important step toward advancing your career with an organization committed to excellence.
Port Houston offers competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a diverse, inclusive work environment. Joining our team means embarking on a fulfilling career path with opportunities for growth and impact.
Before submitting your application, please ensure your resume is ready for upload in either .doc or .pdf format. Application must be completed in full.
Position Summary:
The Environmental Permitting Project Manager will lead the coordination, preparation, and submittal of environmental permits and regulatory approvals for land-based capital projects and port/channel operations. This role focuses on USACE, EPA, TCEQ, and NEPA-related compliance and ensures environmental due diligence for upland development, remediation, and ecosystem impact review, distinctly separate from the marine regulatory and channel operations permitting managed by the Channel/Marine Regulatory group.
This role will serve as the subject matter expert and permit project manager for environment based upland activities (wetlands, threatened and endangered species review, cultural resources, air, remediation efforts, and other land-based related scopes). It will also support Port Houston’s sustainability and resilience efforts by ensuring permitting projects meet current environmental regulations and best practices.
Key Responsibilities/Duties:
- Serve as permit project manager for all non-marine, land-based environmental permits, including:
- Nationwide Permits (NWP) under Section 404/10/401, with USACE when applicable.
- TCEQ permits and registrations (e.g., stormwater, remediation, air, waste).
- EPA-regulated activities, such as spill prevention, hazardous materials, and site investigations.
- Monitor, interpret, track, and analyze proposed environmental, energy and related legislation, regulations, and policies at the federal, state, and local levels that could potentially adversely impact Port Houston or could significantly increase environmental compliance requirements and costs.
- Lead or support NEPA compliance processes, including Environmental Assessments (EA) and coordination of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), when triggered by federal funding or agencies.
- Conduct and/or manage consultants for wetland delineations, biological surveys, and species/habitat impact assessments.
- Oversee Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) to support real estate, development, or remediation decisions.
- Manage and ensure compliance with:
- TCEQ’s Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) or Corrective Action processes.
- Asbestos abatement and disposal oversight and documentation.
- Tier II hazardous chemical inventory reporting and coordination with internal departments.
- Track and interpret regulatory updates from EPA, TCEQ, and other relevant agencies; assess implications for Port operations and permitting timelines.
- Serve as the liaison with internal stakeholders and consultants to ensure timely, complete submittal of permit applications and environmental reports.
- Maintain documentation, correspondence logs, and project tracking in coordination with the Environmental Compliance Coordinator and project managers.
- Ensure delineation from Channel Marine Regulatory by coordinating, when necessary, on joint jurisdictional determinations but keeping this role focused strictly on upland and terrestrial environmental permitting responsibilities.
- Represent Port Houston in interagency meetings and public engagement forums on topics within this role’s scope.
- Act in accordance with Port Houston core values (respect, excellence, accountability, diligence, and you) Perform related duties as required
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resource Management, or a closely related field.
- 6+ years of progressive experience in environmental permitting, with a focus on state and federal land-based environmental regulatory compliance.
- In-depth understanding of:
- Clean Water Act (404/401) as applied to land-based projects
- NEPA, ESA, RCRA, CERCLA, TCEQ regulatory programs
- Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- Experience coordinating with EPA, TCEQ, and local environmental agencies.
- Previous and comprehensive experience in permitting projects in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Ability to interpret environmental regulations, communicate permitting strategies, and manage consultants and timelines.
- Strong analytical, writing, and project management skills.
- Experience supporting infrastructure projects in port, transportation, industrial, or utility sectors.
- Familiarity with GIS mapping and environmental data systems.
- Knowledge of asbestos regulations and abatement protocols.
- Experience with TCEQ Remediation Division processes and correspondence.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Behaviors:
- Strong knowledge of Clean Water Act (Sections 404, 401), NEPA, ESA, MBTA, RCRA, CERCLA, and Clean Air Act
- Familiarity with TCEQ permitting programs (stormwater, air, waste, remediation)
- Understanding of Nationwide and General Permits (as applicable to upland development)
- Knowledge of NEPA compliance processes (EA, EIS)
- Experience with Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments
- Awareness of TCEQ’s Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) and corrective action processes
- Understanding of wetland delineation, habitat surveys, and ecological assessments
- Ability to interpret and apply complex environmental regulations
- Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills
- Project management skills for tracking multiple permits and deadlines
- Stakeholder engagement with agencies, consultants, and internal teams
- Critical thinking and environmental risk analysis
- Competency in reviewing and editing environmental reports and permits
- Ability to collaborate across departments and functions
- Work independently and use sound judgment in permit planning
- Adapt to evolving regulations and project needs
- Maintain organized documentation and records
- Coordinate consultants, contractors, and field teams for surveys or studies
- Maintains integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality
- Highly detail-oriented and organized
- Shows initiative and takes ownership of responsibilities
- Team-oriented and supportive of department goalsExcellent written and verbal communication skills as well as presentation skills
- Computer skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to mentor and support subordinates and promote a high degree of motivation
- Ability to travel to attend conferences, meetings and workshops
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
- Ability to track and explain any differences in budget line items
- Ability to interact comfortably with all levels of management
- Attention to detail
- A current, valid Texas driver's license is required
- A Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) must be obtained within 30 days of appointment, and be maintained for the duration of employment
- Considered essential employees and may be required to work on holidays, evenings, nights, and be immediately recalled for emergencies at anytime. They must remain available and "on call" 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, dependent on emergency
Key Competencies Required:
- Ethics and Values
- Focus Group Efforts
- Leadership Presence
- Management Focus
- Strategic Decision Making
- Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills
- Cybersecurity Awareness and Collaboration
- Innovation and Technology Adaptation
This work site location of this job is:
Port Houston Administration BuildingWork Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but due to open office environment noise level may occasionally be high. To apply, please go to porthouston.com/careers. Only applications submitted through the Port Houston Careers website will be acknowledged. Port Houston is an equal opportunity employer and participates in the E-Verify program supervised by the U.S. Government.
Disclaimer:
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
We appreciate your interest in Port Houston. Port Houston is an equal employment opportunity employer. Port Houston’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Port Houston also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Application must be completed in full.
Interested in this job?
Apply nowSimilar Jobs
View all jobsSenior FMEA Program Manager, Global Reliability Intelligence Programs (GRIP)
Amazon.com Services LLC
Senior FMEA Program Manager, Global Reliability Intelligence Programs (GRIP)
Amazon.com Services LLC