Job Description Summary: As a publicly traded company, we maintain and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions metrics and set GHG emissions reduction targets which are externally assured and validated by 3rd parties. The Sustainability Specialist is responsible for the data systems that support company utility tracking, greenhouse gas emissions inventories, and performance verification. Further, as a company focused on lowering carbon intensity, we are a participant in various state and federal Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) programs such as California LCFS, Washington LCFS, and the Canadian Clean Fuel Regulation (CFR). We further seek to participate in other similar programs as they become available. This position has direct responsibility for the development, implementation, and maintenance of new and existing regulated fuel pathways in various jurisdictions and reports directly to the Director of Corporate Sustainability. This role is also responsible for analysis of sustainability reporting regulations (such as expected SEC climate regulations) and similar international compliance plans such as International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), evaluation of new programs as they develop, data collection as well as internal monitoring for compliance against corporate targets.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Works closely with the Director of Corporate Sustainability and other staff to develop and track appropriate metrics, measurable goals, objectives, benchmarks, and dashboard for sustainability programs.
- Monthly monitoring of all production facilities natural gas, gasoline, diesel, propane, and purchase electricity
- Analyzes, interprets, and reports on quantitative sustainability data. Provides trend identification, data visualization, and recommendations in furtherance of the Company's sustainability performance measures and greenhouse gas emissions inventories.
- Develops strategies and efficiencies for and ensures the collection and tracking of information and data associated with various sustainability goals, targets, and key performance indicators.
- Partners with data providers to improve data management workflow and ensures that systems meet business needs. Develops and executes standard or custom reports to retrieve data as required.
- Coordinate with various departments to establish, maintain and/or improve detailed development and operational processes built around fuel pathway program compliance including strict recordkeeping requirements.
- Collects or receives data from third-party and internal sources on feedstock and product inventory and process/production as needed for various state/federal low carbon fuel programs.
- Provides technical support to programs and subject-matter knowledge during audits
- Researches and identifies data irregularities and trends and conducts additional investigation, root cause analysis, research and escalates to Director of Corporate Sustainability as needed.
- Maintain records to ensure that all RIN generated are within current permitted limits.
- Validates and provides quality assurance, quality control and management of data for completeness and accuracy based on guidelines set by Director of Corporate Sustainability, project stakeholders or data management systems.
- Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audiovisual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices, and new developments in the various state, federal and international pathways and assigned work areas.
- Manage system to calculate the carbon intensity score of all operating projects in real time to ensure compliance with the project’s certified CI score.
- Work with development team to optimize the design of future carbon intensity (CI) projects
- Track environmental laws, regulations, and pertinent updates to existing law or regulations that affects the Company.
- Assist in other regulatory matters as necessary to optimize production and maintain records of compliance.
- Communicates and regularly coordinates with appropriate team members to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
- Performs other duties consistent with the role and function assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent four year college required, master of science preferred
- Possesses beginning to working knowledge of subject matter such as GHG emissions protocols, policies, and procedures; sustainability metrics and accounting; utility billing structures and related data
- The position requires the ability to work with scientific data to establish patterns and trends, establish processes to ensure data quality.
- Familiarity with Lifecycle Analysis/Fuel Pathway concepts, particularly as implemented in common LCFS programs.
- Experience in renewable fuels industry and familiarity with various renewable energy and or GHG reduction policy and regulation strongly preferred.
- Sustainability audit experience such as ISCC or LCFS verification strongly preferred
- Regulatory compliance reporting.
- Strong MS Office experience and proficiency with developing and using spreadsheets and/or databases.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel experience preferred.
- Detail-oriented and proficiency for accuracy
- Dependable, positive attitude and team player
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and take ownership of assigned projects.
- Above average communication skills, both written and verbal
- Any combination of experience and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.
Work Environment/Physical Demands:
- Travel will be expected – up to 10% of the time
- Sitting, standing and other office work.
- Lifting up to 25 pounds.
- Negotiating stairs and other obstacles while at plant site.
Green Plains Inc. offers competitive pay: a generous benefit package including business casual work environment, health, dental, vision, life insurance, paid holidays, Paid Time Off (PTO) and a 401(k) retirement plan with immediate vesting and company safe harbor matching. All potential employees of Green Plains Inc. will be required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check prior to employment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.
Company Description
Green Plains Inc. (NASDAQ:GPRE) is a leading biorefining company focused on the development and utilization of fermentation, agricultural and biological technologies in the processing of annually renewable crops into sustainable value-added ingredients. This includes the production of cleaner low carbon biofuels, renewable feedstocks for advanced biofuels and high purity alcohols for use in cleaners and disinfectants. Green Plains is an innovative producer of Ultra-High Protein and novel ingredients for animal and aquaculture diets to help satisfy a growing global appetite for sustainable protein. The Company also owns a 48.9% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest in Green Plains Partners LP.
