Principal Environmental Programs Specialist in , us

About the Role

This position plays a critical leadership role in supporting the environmental compliance, sustainability, and emergency response operations at Newark Liberty International Airport and Teterboro Airport.

The selected candidate will oversee a wide range of environmental and regulatory programs to ensure both airport communities remain compliant with federal, state, and local environmental requirements while advancing agency sustainability initiatives. This role offers a unique opportunity to work across multiple operational areas, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and directly contribute to the safe and efficient operation of two major aviation facilities. Positioned within the airport operations and maintenance environment, the role also serves as the Maintenance representative in the Emergency Operations Center during airport emergencies, making it a highly visible and impactful leadership opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee environmental programs to ensure that the Port Authority and all members of the EWR and TEB airport community operate in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
• Administer day‑to‑day operations of the EWR Environmental Maintenance Unit, including overseeing represented and contract staff, enforcing work rules and employee discipline, managing schedules and training records, supervising maintenance contracts and development, performing financial analysis of expenditures, and administering the Unit's budget.
• Collaborate with other facilities and departmental units and divisions on environmental matters and initiatives.
• Collaborate in the development of environmental scopes of work for capital and operating projects and review tenant/capital construction documents for environmental compliance.
• Prepare environmental documents such as permit applications, compliance plans and reports, and air emission reports.
• Review and analyze environmental reports and data, including soil and groundwater sample test results.
• Develop and manage environmental databases.
• Manage the development and implementation of Agency Sustainability Program initiatives, including the EWR Sustainability Plan, greenhouse gas inventories, priority pollutant emission abatement programs, recycling, and energy programs.
• Serve as a resource for spill response activities, collaborating with other departments, tenants, and stakeholders to ensure all spill events are properly documented, tracked, and reported to the appropriate internal and external entities.
• Oversee the response to OSHA and environmental health issues that arise at the airports.
• Manage the EWR Confined Space Program.
• Provide support to managers and other staff to ensure overall airport compliance with applicable local, state and federal regulations.
• Serve as the Maintenance representative in the Emergency Operations Center during airport emergencies, when declared EOC is required.
• Oversee represented staff supporting the asset management implementation project, ensuring that all project deadlines are met and that the asset management system adheres to regulatory compliance requirements.
• Oversee the airport maintenance snow emergency response plan.
• Review and approve Tenant/Terminal Operator environmental plans at EWR/TEB to ensure protection of the facility and alignment with agency initiatives and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee contract administrative staff within the unit and ensure all contracts are executed and leveraged to support the facility's environmental and regulatory needs.
• Ensure compliance with established contract management procedures by subordinate staff, manage the unit's administrative activities such as budget preparation, overtime, and expenditures for the current and next operational year.

Minimum Qualifications

• Internal applicants must meet all performance and attendance standards and have completed all probationary periods.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental science, environmental engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum three years of progressively responsible experience in environmental engineering or related field work.
• Minimum three years of demonstrative experience in environmental regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels of internal and external staff, including environmental regulatory agencies.
• Valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications

• Substantial knowledge of environmental regulations and multimedia (e.g., air, water, waste) environmental compliance issues.
• Demonstrated experience with federal and state environmental regulations as they pertain to water quality, solid waste management (hazardous & universal), storage tanks, air quality, spills, and remediation.
• Demonstrated experience with engineering design and construction standards.
• Experience in project management with the ability to establish plans, set priorities, coordinate activities, delegate tasks and responsibilities, work within project deadlines, and manage resources to achieve goals.
• Knowledge of Port Authority administrative practices and procedures.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and CAD computer systems. Familiarity with asset/compliance management systems such as Maximo.
• Knowledge of the Port Authority procurement process.
• Experience in developing and seeking authorization of maintenance service agreements.
• Budget preparation knowledge.
• Experience supervising subordinate staff.
• Ability to work independently, solve problems, execute complex tasks, manage and share information, establish a clear vision for subordinate staff, assume a leadership role, and make decisions under time‑sensitive and sometimes volatile conditions.
• Familiarity with airline industry business and operating practices.

Licenses / Certifications

• Underground Storage Tank Class A & B Operator – 6 months from hire.
• OSHA 40‑Hour HazWOPER – 6 months from hire.
• Hazardous Waste and Universal Waste Management – 12 months from hire.
• Hazardous Materials Transportation – 12 months from hire.

Compensation, Benefits & On‑Site Collaboration Requirements

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey offers a competitive benefits package and a professional environment that supports development and recognizes achievement.

The expected compensation range for this role is:

• Minimum: $100,256
• Midpoint: $130,318
• Maximum: $160,394

In accordance with Port Authority policy, this position permits employees to work remotely a maximum of one day per week. In‑person collaboration is essential to how the Port Authority conducts business, and regular in‑office or team collaboration days may be required on a business‑needs basis.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey/Port Authority Trans‑Hudson (PATH) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws, the Port Authority provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment and who request accommodations, unless providing the requested accommodation would result in undue hardship. Job applicants may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the recruiter or emailing the Human Resources Department’s Accommodation Coordinator at (email protected). The Port Authority will treat any accommodation request confidentially.