Environmental Engineer

Summary of position:

The Environmental Engineer plays a key role in supporting and executing Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative’s environmental management strategies. This position offers the opportunity to make a real impact by helping minimize environmental risk and ensure compliance with air, water, and waste regulations. You'll work alongside a knowledgeable and supportive team, gaining hands-on experience in a wide range of environmental compliance areas.

Essential Functions:

 Data Management and Environmental Risk Assessment

• Collects, analyzes, and synthesizes necessary field data, internal (operational) and external (laboratory) analytical data into the facility’s environmental data management system (EQuIS) under supervision of environmental engineer or manager.


• Prepares regulatory reports by exporting data from EQuIS data management system.


• Reviews internal and external data, and reports necessary information to appropriate sources; investigates deviations, exceedances, and data omissions.


• Develops technical reports and memorandums as needed.


• Conducts facility-wide inspections to ensure all activities conform to environmental policy and permit requirements.


• Confirms environmental monitoring is completed in a timely and consistent fashion as outlined by SMBSC’s environmental policies and permits.

External Communication

• Prepares, reviews and files regulatory reports, permit applicability analysis, and permit applications for several environmental permitting programs including Title V Air Quality, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) – Wastewater, Solid Waste, and Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) permits.


• Assists with evaluating and responding to violations or problems discovered during inspections or routine data collection to help determine appropriate reporting occurs; offers advice on the development of corrective actions for the future.


• Reports spills, releases, and exceedances to the appropriate agencies; updates management on the status of such reports.

Internal Communication

• Conducts relevant new employee and contractor orientation and recurring training.


• Communicates environmental needs and issues to employees.


• Provides weekly status updates to environmental manager on findings from inspections, potential non-compliance issues, and permit related items.


• Collaborates with personnel to design systems, processes and/or equipment for the control, management, or remediation of water, air or soil quality.

Core Competencies and Skill Requirements:

• General knowledge and understanding of environmental laws and regulations.




• Ability to read and comprehend all state and federal environmental laws related to SMBSC’s permits to assist in developing permit applications, determine compliance, and using individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, and standards.




• Proficient data analysis, technical, and problem-solving skills.




• Ability to identify trends, patterns, and anomalies with data in order to draw conclusions and make recommendations for current and future needs.




• Effective communication and presentation skills.




• Ability to maintain high attention to detail.


• Ability to convey complex thoughts and ideas in a clear, concise manner.


• Ability to demonstrate professional demeanor in written and verbal communications with clients, regulatory officials, and fellow employees.




• Fluent in use of Microsoft Office products. Especially Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.


• Ability to manage and lead projects or permit programs.


• Ability to work well in a collaborative environment.


• Effective planning and prioritization skills.


• Reliable and flexible.


• Ability to work effectively and professionally with contractors, consultants and regulatory agency personnel.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering or related science field (chemical, civil, mechanical, and biosciences)


• +2 years of experience in an industrial manufacturing environment or relative experience in the form of internships.


• Any wastewater, solid waste, safety, HAZWOPER, or related training, a plus.


• Valid U.S. Driver’s License