Public Interest Environmental Engineer

About ELPC:

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.

We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C.

ELPC is proud to be the recipient of the American Bar Association's 2023 Award for Excellence in Environmental, Energy, and Resources Stewardship.

Come join our winning team of talented, mission-driven professionals, who passionately work together to protect the environment and natural resources in the Midwest region.

POSITION TITLE:  Public Interest Environmental Engineer - full time though part time may be considered if other work doesn’t present a conflict.

HOURS PER WEEK: We offer flexibility with hours so this can be a part time or full time position.

REPORTS TO: Managing Attorney

LOCATION:  Anywhere in the Midwest although other remote positions in the lower 48 states will also be considered for exceptional candidates. ELPC is committed to work-life flexibility and offers a hybrid work environment with the work week split between in-office and remote.
ELPC will not be sponsoring a work visa so we regret that we cannot consider applicants from outside the US that need a work visa.

JOB SUMMARY: 

ELPC’s Public Interest Environmental Engineer is an exciting opportunity to make a difference by improving environmental quality and public health in Northwest Indiana communities and protecting the Great Lakes and Indiana Dunes National Park. The Environmental Engineer will work as a key member of ELPC’s interdisciplinary team working to reduce pollution from large industrial operations in Northwest Indiana. The Environmental Engineer will review Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act permits, air and water quality data, and related compliance reports from major industrial sources in Northwest Indiana, particularly steel mills and steel-related facilities, to support ELPC’s advocacy before state and federal agencies, courts, and in the court of public opinion.

The Environmental Engineer will work with attorneys in support of ELPC’s Northwest Indiana Air, Parks, and Water Protector Project. They will play a key role in identifying and advocating for potential permit improvements, identifying permit violations, assessing effectiveness of upgraded treatment technologies, and evaluating overall compliance with mandates set by a recent consent decree order at large industrial facilities along and near Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline. The engineer will also support litigation to remedy permit violations.  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Reviewing and evaluating Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act permits and pollution reports from industrial sources in Northwest Indiana, as well as analyzing ambient air monitoring and water quality data and literature regarding pollution reduction technologies and strategies.
• Identifying potential improvements in facilities’ Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act permits and working with ELPC attorneys to prepare comments advocating for those improvements during permit renewal processes.
• Meeting with state and federal regulators to support proposed permit improvements and working with ELPC attorneys and communications professionals to build public support for those improvements.
• Analyzing data regarding Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act permit violations and supporting litigation and other advocacy to remedy those violations, including preparing expert reports testimony and public comments.
• Explaining technical concepts associated with work to non-technical audiences, including at public meetings and hearings.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, or related field preferred. P.E. preferred.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience as an environmental engineer responsible for compliance with federal and state air and water regulations or with a government agency responsible for compliance enforcement, with 10+ years preferred. Experience in the steel, chemical, or petroleum refinery industries a plus.  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of and ability to evaluate permits, reports, and other data related to a variety of industries, including steel.
• Working knowledge and experience with ISO 14001, RCRA, EPCRA, CAA, and CWA a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with experts, government officials, and industry and to present findings and conclusions effectively at private and public meetings.
• Ability to create models or maps of pollutant transport preferred.
• Team player who works effectively with ELPC’s multidisciplinary project teams including attorneys, policy advocates, communications specialists, and organizers.
• Ability to operate independently as well as part of a geographically dispersed team, work on varying assignments as needed and manage multiple priorities with defined deadlines.
• Excellent communication, time management, organizational and analytical skills.

Estimated Travel:

5 - 20% depending on location of candidate.

Salary:

ELPC offers an attractive salary and benefits package, competitive to leading national environmental non-profits. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Starting salary for applicants with 7 – 15 years of experience will be in the range of $82,000 to $115,000 per year depending on experience and location.

Work Authorization: 

Applicants must be currently in the US and authorized to work here. ELPC regrets that we will not be able to sponsor a visa.

 ELPC’s EEO Statement:

Environmental Law & Policy Center is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and provides consideration for an employment relationship without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, genetic predisposition, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

If you are interested in any of our open positions but are unable to apply via email due to a disability, please email us as [email protected] with a reference to the specific job(s) you are interested in, and we will be happy to assist you.