Lead Environmental Auditor

Leads, schedules and coordinates independent environmental compliance audits of the  generation facilities, and delivery, storage, transmission operations, and company office buildings across Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s operating companies. Assesses compliance of these operations with environmental regulations, permits, laws and company procedures and identifies issues creating environmental risk. Prepares accurate and concise reports of the inspection findings and recommends internal controls to address audit issues. Monitors and tracks audit finding closure.     

Leads the Berkshire Hathaway Energy environmental audit program to ensure these facilities are in compliance with environmental regulations, permits, laws and company procedures. 

Requires considerable exercise of independent analysis and judgment in environmental services. 

Reviews facilities to identify areas of environmental risk and makes recommendations to improve environmental performance. Manages the use of internal guest auditors and third party auditors to supplement the audit program (40-50%). 

Promptly advises senior management of findings of noncompliance. 

Summarizes and reports all audit findings to management. Responsible for tracking all findings to closure and facilitating efforts to ensure that all compliance items are corrected in a timely fashion. Identifies best practices and provides guidance for their use in training programs and environmental procedures (15-30%). 

Maintains a working knowledge of environmental regulations for all media. Maintains a specialized knowledge and expertise in air, water or waste issues and utilize such knowledge in day-to-day functions including permitting (10-15%). 

Conducts waste vendor audits at vendor locations to minimize company environmental risk. Reviews information relating to compliance record and financial stability of vendors and makes recommendations regarding environmental and business risks (5-10%). 

Maintains a working knowledge of environmental compliance auditing practices and state and federal environmental audit privileges (0-5%). 

Maintains an understanding of processes within business units and assists the business unit in the continuous improvement process with environmental aspects through company's environmental management system. Identify, develop and implement strategic environmental initiatives for establishing external competitive advantages (0-5%). 

Provides technical leadership to staff (0-5%). 

Provides technical input to assist in development of project planning (0-5%). 

Prepares financial analyses of environmental impacts on business operations. Prepares budget forecasts and document actual performance of budgeted activities for assigned environmental services (0-5%). 

Performs additional responsibilities as requested or assigned (0-5%). 

Leads facility audit meetings during the site audits. 

Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, environmental sciences or the physical sciences. (Typically four years of related, progressive work experience in the environmental field would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.) 

Master's degree in environmental engineering, environmental sciences, business, physical sciences or equivalent related work experience is preferred. 

A minimum of eight years of experience in environmental work or equivalent, with a minimum of two years demonstrated environmental audit experience. 

A broad diversity of environmental work experience in private industry, governmental and consulting is preferred. 

Demonstrated program leadership skills, ability to coordinate work assignments and work with others effectively in a diverse working environment and develop a rapport with operations. 

Board of Environmental Health and Safety Auditor Certification, ISO 14001 environmental management system auditor certification, or certified hazardous materials manager certification are preferred. 

Knowledge of the regulations for all environmental media, with the ability to analyze and evaluate complex regulations and determine their applicability to company operations. 

Effective analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills. 

Physical capability to assess plant sites and field operations. 

Strong communication skills with the demonstrated ability to communicate complex information accurately and understandably in written and verbal form. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with government agencies, trade groups and other industries. Computer skills including competency with spreadsheets, word processors, presentation tools or a demonstrated ability to learn such skills. 

Strong organization, planning and execution skills to lead major initiatives and programs. 

Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently. 

Significant travel will be required in this position, with approximately 40% of the individual's work performed outside the primary reporting location. 

MidAmerican Energy Company, a Midwest utility, provides regulated electric and natural gas service to more than 1.6 million customers in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. The company owns and operates a portfolio of power-generating assets, approximately 61% of which is wind generation.