Location Profile:
Located in Gardena California, Permaswage designs and manufactures separable and permanent fluid fittings and installation tooling for aerospace and defense applications.
Environmental Specialist
Position Summary
The Environmental Specialist is responsible for managing and executing multi-media environmental compliance programs in a regulated aerospace manufacturing environment. This role requires hands-on ownership of air quality, hazardous waste, stormwater, and wastewater programs in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, with a strong emphasis on California-specific requirements.
This position serves as the primary environmental subject matter expert for the facility, ensuring compliance with agencies such as SCAQMD, DTSC, CUPA, LACSD and California Water Boards. The Environmental Specialist will lead regulatory reporting, inspections, and audits, while partnering with operations, engineering, and leadership to maintain full environmental compliance and minimize risk.
Key Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Programs
- Manage environmental compliance programs across air, hazardous waste, stormwater, and wastewater
- Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (EPA, DTSC, SCAQMD, CUPA, LACSD, and Water Boards)
- Interpret environmental permits and ensure adherence to permit conditions and regulatory requirements
Air Quality Compliance (SCAQMD)
- Manage facility air permits and ensure compliance with permit conditions
- Track emissions (VOC/HAP) and prepare annual emissions inventories/reporting (AER)
- Evaluate process changes for regulatory applicability and compliance
Hazardous Waste Management (DTSC – Title 22)
- Oversee hazardous waste programs including:
- Coordinate hazardous waste disposal vendors and ensure regulatory compliance
CUPA / CERS Reporting
- Manage Hazardous Materials Business Plans (HMBP) and chemical inventory reporting
- Maintain compliance within the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS)
- Aboveground storage tank (SPCC/APSA) requirements
Stormwater Compliance (IGP / SMARTS)
- Develop and maintain the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
- Conduct stormwater inspections, sampling, and reporting
- Ensure compliance with the California Industrial General Permit (IGP) via SMARTS
Industrial Wastewater Compliance (LA County Sanitation District – LACSD)
- Support industrial wastewater permit compliance, including:
Audits, Inspections & Reporting
- Conduct internal environmental audits and facility inspections
- Lead and support regulatory inspections (AQMD, DTSC, CUPA, LACSD, and Water Boards)
- Prepare and submit regulatory reports and maintain compliance documentation
Incident Management & Continuous Improvement
- Investigate environmental incidents and compliance deviations
- Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPA)
- Identify opportunities for waste reduction, emissions reduction, and environmental performance improvement
Training & Cross-Functional Support
- Develop and deliver environmental compliance training to site personnel
- Partner with operations, maintenance, and engineering to support compliance initiatives
- Serve as environmental SME for projects, process changes, and new equipment
Required Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field
Experience
- 3–7+ years of environmental compliance experience in manufacturing, aerospace, or industrial environments
- Demonstrated experience managing multi-media environmental programs (air, waste, water)
- Direct experience with California environmental regulations, including:
Technical Expertise
- Experience preparing and submitting environmental reports:
- Knowledge of:
- Ability to interpret regulatory requirements, permits, and compliance obligations
Operational Skills
- Experience supporting or leading environmental audits and regulatory inspections
- Strong documentation, organization, and data tracking skills
- Proficiency with Excel and environmental reporting systems
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in aerospace, coatings, metal finishing, or chemical manufacturing environments
- Familiarity with:
- Experience with:
- Professional certifications (preferred but not required):
What Success Looks Like in This Role
- Ability to independently manage environmental compliance programs with minimal oversight
- Confidence interacting directly with regulatory agencies and leading inspections
- Strong understanding of California environmental regulations and reporting systems
- Proactive identification and mitigation of compliance risks
- Effective partnership with operations to maintain compliance without disrupting production
