Director Environmental Affairs

Director Environmental Affairs

Are you ready to think about the future and dream big? At Port Houston, we're seeking individuals who are eager to tackle the most significant challenges of their careers. For over a century, we've been driven by vision and scale, delivering impactful initiatives that shape Houston and the region. Our sustainability and success hinge on attracting, retaining, and nurturing exceptional talent.

When you join Port Houston, you're embarking on a journey towards a fulfilling career path. Take the first step in the right direction—are you READY?

The Director of Environmental Affairs provides port-wide leadership and direction of the environmental programs by:

• Championing the Port’s Environmental Policy;
• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and mandates;
• Overseeing tenant audit compliance for stormwater, wastewater, drinking water, waste management, air permitting, energy use;
• Advising senior leadership in the planning,
• Formulating and executing mid- and long-term objectives to reduce the Port’s environmental footprint in sustainable ways; and,
• Aligning environmental efforts across Port Houston’s divisions (e.g. Infrastructure, Port Operations, Maintenance, and Strategy) to provide a holistic, cross-functional approach to environmental stewardship.
• Key responsibilities of this position include the following seven (7) core functions:

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight of the Environmental Affairs Department (EAD); develop vision, goals, policies, procedures, and performance standards that align with Port Houston’s Environmental Policy and strategic plan.
• Prepare, manage, and monitor the department’s budget using cost-benefit and risk analyses to prioritize initiatives, while ensuring fiscal discipline.
• Mentor and develop staff; conduct performance reviews; identify professional development needs and succession planning.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations (e.g. Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, Endangered Species Act, Oil Pollution Act, etc.).
• Develop, implement, and maintain systems, processes, and procedures to sustain full compliance across all environmental media (stormwater, wastewater, air, waste, energy, etc.).
  
  • Lead the acquisition, renewal, amendment, and compliance of all environmental permits; act as primary liaison with regulatory agencies (e.g., TCEQ, EPA, DOE, USACE).
• Oversee and interpret internal and tenant environmental audits, inspections, and observations; ensure corrective actions and continuous improvement.
• Develop proactive strategies to foresee and mitigate environmental risks associated with Port Houston’s operations, capital projects, and expansion activities.

• Provide integral, cross-functional technical and analytical support to PSEO, Infrastructure, Port Operations, Strategy, Maintenance, and other Port divisions.
• Conduct short- and long-range plans to strengthen the environmental posture of Port Houston.
• Maintain working relationships with multiple external government agencies (e.g., USACE, EPA, General Land Office, local jurisdictions) to coordinate permitting, studies, operations, and construction activities.
• Ensure alignment among Port Houston, tenants, contractors, and regulatory agencies via clear communication, oversight of permitting and compliance processes, and shared best practices.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders and consultants in environmental affairs planning, implementation, and reporting.

• Coordinate with Terminal Managers, Port Operations, and relevant stakeholders to ensure environmental incident response plans are adequate and current.
• Serve as liaison with oversight agencies during environmental events (e.g., oil spills, releases).
• Advise Port leadership and legal counsel on environmental liability, risk mitigation, and response strategies.

• Develop and maintain 5- and 10-year environmental strategic…