New

Director of Environmental Services & Compliance

NW Natural
parental leave, paid holidays, sick time, tuition reimbursement, 401(k), remote work
United States, Oregon, Portland
Nov 04, 2026
Director of Environmental Services & Compliance Non-Union Position Env Mgmt & Sustainability Mgmt; Portland,Oregon (US-OR) Hybrid scheduleavailablefor Oregon & Washington residents. Regular FT, Exempt Posting # 5763 About Us: At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve.Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry. In addition to environmental stewardship, we're also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility. NOTE: This hybrid position is based at our headquarters in downtown Portland, Oregon. Candidates must reside within commuting distance of the office or be willing to relocate to the Portland metropolitan area. Employees are required to work onsite Tuesdays through Thursdays each week, with remote work flexibility on Mondays and Fridays, subject to business needs. This schedule supports collaboration, connection, and team engagement while providing flexibility for focused remote work. Position Summary: The Environmental Services & Compliance Director is responsible for the strategic direction, management, and oversight of the Company's enterprise-wide environmental compliance, permitting, environmental stewardship, natural resource management, and environmental risk programs across regulated gas and water utility operations. This position serves as the Company's principal environmental subject matter expert and is accountable for ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, permits, and regulatory requirements. The Director provides leadership and technical guidance on environmental matters affecting utility operations, infrastructure development, construction activities, water and wastewater systems, air quality programs, environmental permitting, regulatory proceedings, compliance investigations, and environmental risk management. The Director develops and executes environmental strategies that support safe, reliable, and cost-effective utility operations while maintaining constructive relationships with regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and business partners. Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Environmental Compliance & Stewardship Develop, implement, and oversee enterprise-wide environmental compliance programs for gas and water utility operations. Ensure compliance with all applicable environmental permits, regulatory orders, and environmental requirements. Direct environmental programs related to: Air quality and emissions Water quality and watershed protection Stormwater and wastewater compliance Waste management and hazardous materials Wetlands, natural resources, and habitat protection Spill prevention and environmental incident response Environmental monitoring and reporting Develop and maintain Environmental Management Plans and environmental management systems. Monitor emerging environmental regulations and evaluate operational and business impacts. Establish internal environmental policies, standards, and best practices. Environmental Permitting & Project Development Lead environmental permitting strategies for utility infrastructure projects, facility expansions, operational modifications, and capital programs. Direct acquisition, renewal, and modification of environmental permits and approvals. Support project development teams on environmental review, permitting, mitigation, and compliance obligations. Provide environmental support for construction projects, system expansion initiatives, renewable energy projects, and utility infrastructure investments. Oversee environmental due diligence for acquisitions, divestitures, and strategic transactions. Manage environmental consultants, technical specialists, laboratories, and outside experts. Regulatory & Legal Support Serve as environmental liaison with federal, state, tribal, and local regulatory agencies. Lead agency inspections, audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory inquiries. Coordinate with internal legal counsel responses to notices of violation, enforcement matters, consent orders, and corrective action plans. Support administrative proceedings, regulatory filings, rate proceedings, and contested permit matters. Coordinate with internal legal counsel regarding environmental litigation, enforcement actions, permitting disputes, and regulatory strategy. Serve as an expert witness or technical representative in regulatory, administrative, or legal proceedings, as appropriate. Enterprise Risk Management Identify, assess, and manage environmental risks across Company operations. Provide strategic recommendations regarding environmental liabilities and compliance risks. Support environmental incident investigations and remediation activities. Advise executive leadership regarding environmental trends, emerging regulations, and business risks. Support sustainability, resilience, and environmental stewardship initiatives where aligned with business objectives. Leadership & Management Lead, mentor, and develop environmental professionals and technical staff. Establish departmental objectives, performance measures, and priorities. Develop and manage operating and capital budgets. Foster strong partnerships across operations, engineering, construction, regulatory affairs, legal, compliance, safety, and executive leadership. Promote a culture of environmental accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. Qualifications: Required Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Natural Resources, Public Policy, Law, or a related field. Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in environmental compliance, environmental permitting, environmental law, utility operations support, environmental consulting, regulatory affairs, natural resource management, or related fields. Three (3) or more years of leadership experience managing staff, budgets, and complex environmental programs. Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying environmental laws, regulations, permits, and agency requirements. Experience working directly with environmental regulatory agencies and governmental entities. Experience managing complex environmental compliance or permitting matters affecting utility, infrastructure, industrial, energy, or public-sector operations. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Extensive knowledge of federal and state environmental statutes and regulations, including those governing air quality, water quality, waste management, natural resources, and environmental permitting. Solid understanding of utility operations and the environmental requirements associated with gas, water, wastewater, storage, transmission, distribution, and treatment systems. Ability to assess environmental risk and develop practical compliance and permitting strategies. Demonstrated success building productive relationships with regulators, community stakeholders, and industry organizations. Excellent negotiation, communication, and leadership skills. Ability to communicate complex environmental and regulatory issues to executive leadership and boards of directors. Ability to foster strong partnerships with business and operations partners at all levels. Superb project management, organizational, and strategic planning capabilities. Ability to balance environmental compliance obligations with operational, commercial, and customer service objectives. Preferred (Optional) Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Natural Resources, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related discipline. Juris Doctor (JD) with experience in environmental, natural resources, energy, administrative, utility, or regulatory law. Experience supporting regulated gas, water, wastewater, electric, pipeline, or other industrial operations. Experience with environmental enforcement actions, settlements, permit appeals, administrative proceedings, or regulatory litigation. Experience leading environmental programs across multiple jurisdictions or states. Experience supporting major infrastructure development, utility construction, and capital investment programs. Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), or similar credential. What we offer: Health & Wellness - Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution Free access to an online wellness resources platform Work Life Balance - Up to 23 Vacation Days 80 Hours of Sick Time 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays 3 weeks paid parental leave Be part of a workplace where your voice matters. Engage with our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council, and a variety of Employee Resource Groups that support community and growth. 1500 sq foot exercise facility and secure bike room Financial - Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary Competitive 401K company contribution and match 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement Wellness incentive program Discounts - 20% off natural gas service Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center TriMet Pass for all HQ employees Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless Base salary range: $170,100.00-$251,550.00per year, depending on qualifications Annual Target Incentive: Director, 20.0% target Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation. Payout, if earned, is based on company and individual performance for each plan year and may range from 0% - 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout. Application Process:To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website. https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/careers Deadline: 11/17/26 Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility. E-Verify Information NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility. All applications must be submitted through NW Natural's Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application. NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates' diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at employment@nwnatural.com or (971) 979-6341. NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.