Director, Water Quality & Environmental Compliance
American Water

Requisition ID: 107495

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People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. American Water's 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $40 to $42 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron's 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

New Jersey American Water is seeking a water quality leader to join and help lead our operations. The Director of Water Quality & Environmental Compliance will be the point person for interactions and relationships with environmental regulators. This role will lead a team throughout multiple regions of New Jersey American Water and will serve as an in-house expert for water quality and environmental compliance requirements.

*Note that this role can be located in any New Jersey American Water Operations center.

Primary Role

This position is ultimately accountable and responsible for the comprehensive direction and administration of matters dealing with the overall management of laboratories, water quality, environmental stewardship and environmental rules and regulations, including those associated with the Safe Drinking Water Act & Clean Water Act. Makes decisions and recommendations that are recognized as authoritative and have far-reaching impact on environmental activities. Initiates and maintains extensive contacts with key officials and company personnel. Executes departmental business plans and contributes to the development of functional strategies. Provides feedback to Executive Management for applicable policies and regulations.

Key Accountabilities

• Develops State Water Quality and Environmental monitoring program that ensures company compliance with regulatory and corporate standards and adherence to measurement and reporting schedules. Develops Environmental Management Plans.
• Continually reviews developing water quality and environmental regulations, provides input to the local, state and federal regulatory process and ensures that programs are in place to enable compliance and customer satisfaction.
• Tracks permits related to operation of the business. (25%)
• Oversees and directs work of staff and advises other company employees regarding state operations with potential to impact water quality, public health or environmental compliance.
• Establishes, reviews, approves State water quality related reports and communications, coordination of Consumer Confidence Reports, and water quality operational procedures. (20%)
• Interfaces with Corporate Environmental Management on reporting and coordination of the environmental function.
• Provides input to Local, State and System management on water quality, public health and environmental matters. (20%)
• Provides technical assistance to the state functional units on Water Quality and Environmental issues.
• Directs the laboratories and other water quality and environmental monitoring and control programs.
• Provide technical advice and assistance with business development opportunities.
• Investigates new acquisitions and integrates into operations.
• Serves as an expert witness in legal/ratemaking proceedings. (15%)
• Identifies and develops opportunities to enhance the company's brand through the development of innovative and sustainable environmental solutions.
• Identifies and develops reference projects for social responsibly, stewardship and related natural resource programs. Responsible for career development of staff.
• Develops O&M budget and operates to stay within the budget. (10%)
• Oversees and directs company programs to address security of sources, facilities and customers against water quality and other environmental threats.
• Assist with the development of cross-connection and backflow prevention programs. (10%)
• des input to the local, state and federal regulatory process and ensures that programs are in place to enable compliance and customer satisfaction.
• Tracks permits related to operation of the business. (25%)
• Oversees and directs work of staff and advises other company employees regarding state operations with potential to impact water quality, public health or environmental compliance.
• Establishes, reviews, approves State water quality related reports and communications, coordination of Consumer Confidence Reports, and water quality operational procedures. (20%)
• Interfaces with Corporate Environmental Management on reporting and coordination of the environmental function.
• Provides input to Local, State and System management on water quality, public health and environmental matters. (20%)
• Provides technical assistance to the state functional units on Water Quality and Environmental issues.
• Directs the laboratories and other water quality and environmental monitoring and control programs.
• Provide technical advice and assistance with business development opportunities.
• Investigates new acquisitions and integrates into operations.
• Serves as an expert witness in legal/ratemaking proceedings. (15%)

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of water/wastewater operations and water quality monitoring and quality assurance programs.
• Knowledge of government regulations related to water quality and employee/community safety.
• Knowledge of current and emerging environmental issues.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations impacting water resources and facility operations.
• Knowledge of industry trade organizations to include participation in related activities aimed at improving water quality. Knowledge of company goals and objectives.
• Advanced knowledge to lead and motivate subordinate staff.

Experience/Education

• Bachelors degree
• A minimum of ten (10) years experience in environmental management of water resources and/or treatment or related technology or process development.
• Experience in the management of people and budgets; development of plans and strategies.
• Advanced degrees could be considered as a substitution for a portion of experience.
• A DEP issued water and/or wastewater certification is a plus.

Travel Requirements

• Travel may be 25% or more.

Work Schedule

• Full-time
• Monday-Friday, daylight hours
• On-call responsibility for operational emergencies

Work Environment

• Laboratory Environment

Competencies

Decision Quality

Develops Talent

Drives Engagement

Plans, Aligns, & Directs

Prioritizes & Role Models Safety

Self-Awareness

Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing™

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

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