Technical Specialist HSE Air Permitting and Compliance

Job Type:

Regular

Plains is an industry-leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in transportation, storage, processing and marketing solutions for crude oil. We own an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage and gathering assets in key oil producing basins and transportation corridors and at major market hubs in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

We’re on the lookout for passionate self‑starters who thrive in fast‑moving, collaborative, and innovative environments.

Job Purpose/Summary

The Technical Specialist, HSE Air Permitting and Compliance is an experienced technical subject matter expert with respect to air permitting and compliance requirements and supports compliance and permitting activities across locations where Plains operates. Serves as a corporate technical SME for air permitting and compliance issues and provides proven strategic direction for regulatory compliance, operational planning, acquisitions, divestitures, and capital project development.

The individual filling this position provides technical and regulatory guidance and recommendations to the Air Program employees in the Houston and field locations. The individual in this role should have the technical ability to prepare and review air permit applications and compliance reports, perform complex emission calculations, and conduct thorough regulatory reviews of existing and proposed rulemakings for applicability to Plains. The Technical Specialist, HSE Air Permitting and Compliance will be located in Houston and reports to the HSE Manager – Air.

The selected candidate will be eligible for company benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off (PTO), and Free Parking.

Job Responsibilities

Air Permitting and Compliance

• Plans, organizes, and evaluates work priorities to ensure air permit and compliance deadlines are met by delivering effective and accurate work products on time.
• Prepares and submits air deliverables and data responses to support Plains' permitting, recordkeeping, monitoring, reporting, and compliance requirements as needs arise.
• Reviews, analyzes, evaluates, and recommends solutions to resolve complex technical challenges associated with air permitting and compliance.
• Provides air permitting support for capital projects, facility expansions, asset optimization initiatives, and operational changes from project conception through startup.
• Provides technical support for air to include compliance demonstrations, continuous compliance programs. emission inventories, Title V certifications, compliance assurance reviews.
• Prepares, reviews, and submits air permit applications and greenhouse gas reporting including developing strategies for permitting pathways that meet Plains' air needs while complying with all federal, state, provincial, and local air regulations.
• Completes air NAAQS, HAPS and GHG emission calculations for transportation and storage to include tanks, rail, pipeline, truck, marine, engines, boilers, and associated air emission control equipment used for crude oil and other commodities.
• Performs air regulatory due diligence reviews for acquisitions, divestitures, and commercial transactions involving company assets, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Regulatory

• Serves as technical representative in discussions and negotiations with federal, state, provincial, and local regulatory agencies regarding permitting, compliance determinations, enforcement matters, and regulatory interpretations.
• Supports internal environmental audits and compliance assessments and develops corrective action recommendations to address identified findings.
• Interprets new and existing government regulations with respect to the company’s operations.
• Provides compliance guidance to HSE Air management, operations, commercial, and legal.
• Provides strategic air guidance, processes, and procedures to management with respect to organic and expansion project development of crude terminals, pipelines, for newly acquired and other assets.
• Evaluates regulatory and compliance risks associated with existing operations, proposed projects, acquisitions, and emerging regulatory requirements.
• Participates in industry/trade association working groups related to air permitting and compliance issues and provides feedback and strategic recommendations to Plains on how upcoming changes may affect assets.
• Reviews current and emerging trends in air recordkeeping, monitoring, and reporting; state, provincial, and federal air initiatives; and other industry developments related to air permitting and compliance and communicate efficiency opportunities. 
• Provides technical support for Air Program personnel and serves as a technical resource.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, chemistry, math, science, meteorology, or a related area of study.
• A minimum of 10 years of air permitting and compliance including minor source, PBRs, synthetic minor, NSR, PSD, and Title V permitting programs.
• Detailed knowledge of and experience with air permitting and air emission sources for pipeline transportation and bulk storage of crude oil and liquid petroleum products.
• Ability to comprehend, perform, review, and provide solutions for complex air emission calculations and air permitting strategies.
• Experience with federal and state air permitting programs, practices/methodologies for new facilities and modifications to existing facilities and associated compliance recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of NSPS Subparts Kb and Kc and other federal and state air rules and regulations associated with terminals, engines, boilers, marine facilities, emission control equipment, and the transportation of crude oil.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate highly technical and regulatory concepts effectively to executive leadership, operational personnel, regulators, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated cross-functional collaboration with multiple departments (Air, HSE, Operations, Engineering, Commercial, Legal, Business Development), outside consultants, industry groups, and governmental agencies.
• Intermediate to advanced experience utilizing Microsoft Excel, Word, Teams, SharePoint.
• Ability to travel up to 10% annually.
• Cleared criminal history (background) and satisfactory reference checks
• Compliance with the Company’s drug and alcohol policy including pre-employment D&A testing.
• This position is not eligible for employment-based visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the duration of their employment

Preferred

• Experience with federal and state air permitting programs in multiple jurisdictions, including air permitting and compliance experience in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, California, Louisiana, Colorado.
• Familiarity with federal and provincial Canadian air permitting and emissions recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
• Experience performing and reviewing air dispersion modeling and regulatory modeling demonstrations, including AERMOD or equivalent applications.
• Experience reviewing and providing technical feedback for air monitoring, LDAR, and OGI results.
• Experience with greenhouse gas emissions preparation and reporting, criteria and HAPS emissions quantification and reporting, air compliance requirements, and emissions reduction initiatives.
• Experience with environmental compliance management systems, emissions inventory software TankESP, Maximo, and data management tools.
• Knowledge of the federal air regulations and interpretations, including Title V, PSD, NAAQS, GHG MRR, NSPS Subparts Dc, IIII, and JJJJ; NESHAP Subparts Y, HH, ZZZZ, and JJJJJJ.
• Certified Permitting Professional (CPP), Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), or other relevant professional certification preferred.

#Plains

At Plains, our employees are our most valuable asset. Hard work is rewarded with competitive compensation and a top-tier benefits program designed to keep our employees safe, healthy and happy. We work hard to deliver the best results to our stakeholders, and we also respect our employees' need for personal and family time, which is reflected in our benefits program.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants with disabilities can request accessible formats, communication supports, or other accessibility assistance by contacting [email protected].

Salary details estimated by job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn do not represent Plains’ compensation structure. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

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