Environmental Counsel
Job Description
Waste Connections seeks a highly motivated, results-oriented Environmental Counsel to join our Legal Department in The Woodlands, Texas. This specialist in environmental law will provide a wide range of legal services and advice to various business units throughout the company’s U.S. operations, focusing on regulatory compliance, permitting, and environmental litigation. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in federal and state environmental laws and regulations, particularly those impacting solid waste management, landfills, and transfer stations. The role includes responsibility for maintaining relationships with key members of the company’s Legal, Compliance, Engineering and Operations Departments, state, federal and local regulators, and outside counsel handling environmental matters on behalf of the company. This is a full-time, in-person role based in The Woodlands; however, some travel throughout the U.S. will be required.
Our Company
Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) is an integrated solid waste services company providing non-hazardous waste collection, transfer, and disposal services, including resource recovery through recycling and renewable fuels generation. We serve approximately nine million customers across 46 states in the U.S. and six provinces in Canada. Our commitment to environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance is central to our operations. Waste Connections also provides non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several basins across the U.S. and Canada, as well as intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest. Waste Connections, Inc. was founded in September 1997. Its Principal Administrative Offices are located 30 miles north of Houston in The Woodlands, Texas.
Primary Responsibilities
- Advise on compliance with federal and state environmental laws and regulations, including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, CERCLA, Subtitle D, and related state statutes.
- Support solid waste management operations, including permitting, compliance, and post-collection activities at landfills and transfer stations.
- Manage environmental litigation and enforcement matters, including agency investigations, administrative proceedings, and court proceedings.
- Draft, review, and interpret legal documents such as permits, contracts, regulatory filings, complaints, motions, and briefs.
- Advise on environmental investigations and audits, collaborating with internal and external resources to develop best practices and regulatory compliance.
- Monitor environmental legislative and regulatory developments affecting company operations and advise management on potential impacts.
- Coordinate with the Corporate and Regional Environmental Compliance Managers and other operational leaders to drive facility compliance and timely reporting of environmental incidents.
- Support merger and acquisition transactions, including environmental due diligence and integration.
- Complete special projects as requested by the Legal Department.
Qualifications
- J.D. degree with excellent academic credentials.
- Active license to practice law in at least one state and membership in good standing with the bar.
- 6-8 years of experience practicing environmental law, with substantial experience in the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, RCRA, CERCLA, Subtitle D, and similar state laws and regulations.
- Experience with environmental litigation, regulatory compliance, and agency interactions.
- Strong analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; dynamic and team-oriented.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under deadline pressure.
- Experience with solid waste management, landfills, and transfer stations is a plus.
- Familiarity with environmental risk assessment and sustainability initiatives is a plus.
- Willingness to work on a broad variety of legal matters and learn new subject areas as needed.
What’s In It for You?
Join a high-profile team at a company known for its Servant Leadership and ‘work hard, play harder’ culture. Competitive compensation includes base salary, annual cash bonus, and equity grant eligibility. Excellent family benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, disability, life insurance, 401(k), and unlimited opportunities to 'Connect with Your Future.'
For more information and to apply, please visit www.wasteconnections.com.
Waste Connections is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans).
