Principal Environmental Programs Specialist

About the Role

This position plays a critical leadership role in supporting the environmental compliance, sustainability, and emergency response operations at Newark Liberty International Airport and Teterboro Airport. The selected candidate will oversee a wide range of environmental and regulatory programs to ensure both airport communities remain compliant with federal, state, and local environmental requirements while advancing agency sustainability initiatives. This role offers a unique opportunity to work across multiple operational areas, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and directly contribute to the safe and efficient operation of two major aviation facilities. Positioned within the airport operations and maintenance environment, the role also serves as the Maintenance representative in the Emergency Operations Center during airport emergencies, making it a highly visible and impactful leadership opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee environmental programs to ensure that the Port Authority and all members of the EWR and TEB airport community operate in compliance with applicable Federal, State and Local environmental regulations. Environmental programs include, but are not limited to, air quality, solid waste (e.g. hazardous & universal waste), storage tanks, stormwater, sanitary, asbestos, deicing collection, and remediation.
• Day-to-day administration of the EWR's Environmental Maintenance Unit, including overseeing the activities of represented and contract staff; establishing and enforcing work rules and employee discipline; overseeing schedules and training records; overseeing maintenance contracts and their development; performing financial analysis of expenditures; and developing/administrating the Unit’s budget.
• Collaborate with other facilities and departmental units and divisions on environmental matters and initiatives.
• Collaborate in the development of environmental scopes of work for Capital and Operating projects and review tenant/capital construction documents for environmental compliance.
• Prepare environmental documents (e.g. permit applications, compliance plans/reports, air emission reports).
• Review and analyze environmental reports and data (e.g. soil and groundwater sample test results).
• Develop and manage environmental databases.
• Manage the development and implementation of Agency Sustainability Program initiatives including, but not limited to, the EWR Sustainability Plan, greenhouse gas inventories, priority pollutant emission abatement programs, recycling, and energy programs.
• Serves as a resource for spill response activities, collaborating with other departments, tenants, and stakeholders to ensure all spill events are properly documented, tracked, and reported to the appropriate internal and external entities.
• Oversee the response to OSHA and environmental health issues that arise at the airports.
• Manage EWR’s Confined Space Program.
• Provide support to managers and other staff to ensure overall airport compliance with applicable Local, State and Federal regulations.
• Serve as the Maintenance representative in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during airport emergencies, when declared EOC when required.
• Responsible for overseeing represented staff supporting the asset management implementation project, ensuring that all project deadlines are met. Also responsible for ensuring that asset management system adhered to regulatory compliance requirements.
• Oversight of the Airport Maintenance snow emergency response plan.
• Reviews and approves Tenant/ Terminal Operator environmental plans at EWR/TEB to ensure that it protects the facility and aligns with agency initiatives and regulatory requirements
• Oversees contract administrative staff within the unit and ensures all contracts are executed and leveraged to support the facility’s environmental and regulatory needs.
• Ensuring compliance with established contract management procedures by subordinate staff, managing unit’s administrative activities such as budget preparation, overtime, and expenditures for the current and next operational year.

Minimum Qualifications

• Internal applicants must meet all performance and attendance standards and have completed all probationary periods.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of environmental science, environmental engineering or related technical field.
• Minimum three years of progressively responsible experience in environmental engineering or related field work.
• Minimum three years of demonstrative experience in environmental regulatory compliance.
• Must have demonstrated written and oral communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels of internal and external staff, including environmental regulatory agencies.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications

• Substantial knowledge of environmental regulations and multimedia (e.g. air, water, waste) environmental compliance issues.
• Demonstrated experience with Federal and State environmental regulations as they pertain to water quality, solid waste management (i.e. hazardous & universal), storage tanks, air quality, spills, and remediation.
• Demonstrated experience with engineering design and construction standards.
• Demonstrated experience in project management with the ability to establish plans, set priorities, coordinate activities, delegate tasks and responsibilities, work within project deadlines, and manage resources to achieve goals.
• Knowledge of Port Authority administrative practices and procedures.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and CAD computer systems. Familiarity with asset/compliance management systems (e.g. Maximo).
• Knowledge of the Port Authority procurement process
• Demonstrated experience in developing and seeking authorization of maintenance service agreements
• Knowledge of budget preparation
• Demonstrated experience in supervising subordinate staff.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, execute complex task, manage and share information, establish clear vision for subordinate staff, assume leadership role, and make decisions under time-sensitive and sometimes volatile conditions
• Familiarity with airline industry business and operating practices.
• Must possess or acquire the following licenses/certifications within the timeframes specified below:
  • Underground Storage Tank Class A & B Operator – 6 months
  • OSHA 40 Hour HazWOPER – 6 months
  • Hazardous Waste and Universal Waste Management – 12 months
  • Hazardous Materials Transportation – 12 months

Selection Process

The application process varies by position, but typically includes an initial phone interview for qualified candidates, followed by a more in-depth interview(s) and/or assessment(s). Selected candidates who are made a conditional job offer will be asked to undergo a background check.