Chief Environmental Engineer | Morenci, AZ

Job Description

Company: Freeport-McMoRan
Location: Morenci, Arizona, United States
Category: Environment and Sustainability
Job Type: Full-time
Work Arrangement: On-site
Experience Level: Management-Level
Salary: $112,000.00 – $160,000.00 annually

Job Summary
Freeport-McMoRan is seeking a Chief Environmental Engineer to manage environmental programs and systems at its Morenci operations, an open-pit copper mining complex in Arizona. This role supports environmental compliance, permitting, remediation, reclamation, air quality, regulatory engagement, and environmental risk management for a large-scale mining operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, manage, and evaluate environmental programs and systems.
• Develop, recommend, supervise, and assess environmental safety, compliance, remediation, and reclamation programs.
• Supervise, enhance, and monitor air quality environmental practices for the site.
• Report environmental compliance issues and recommend corrective actions to site management.
• Serve as Project Manager on large or complex environmental projects, including air quality compliance, permitting, remediation, and reclamation.
• Evaluate and administer vendor contracts for services and equipment.
• Provide guidance to site management on environmental programs, practices, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Contribute to strategic planning and budgeting for environmental systems and initiatives.
• Oversee or investigate environmental incidents and maintain required records.
• Maintain working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental and occupational health regulations.
• Coordinate environmental training mandated by EPA, DEQ, or other regulatory bodies.
• Serve as contact with EPA, DEQ, or other regulatory agencies in designated areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, such as Environmental, Civil, Chemical, Agriculture, Mining, Metallurgical, Geological, or similar, and seven years of engineering experience in environmental management, including project management experience; or
• Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field and five years of engineering experience in environmental management, including project management experience.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including air quality, water quality, hazardous materials, waste management, and permitting requirements.
• Experience with air permitting, emissions inventories, compliance programs, and regulatory agency interactions.
• Project management experience, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and execution of complex environmental projects.
• Leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, scientists, technicians, and environmental professionals.
• Experience managing environmental consultants, contractors, and technical service providers.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with operations, engineering, leadership, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Experience supporting large-scale mining operations, including mine planning, tailings management, water management, closure planning, and operational compliance.
• Strong understanding of environmental risk management and environmental management systems, including ISO 14001 principles.
• Experience supporting environmental audits, compliance assessments, inspections, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience preparing and reviewing technical reports, permit applications, environmental impact assessments, and regulatory submittals.
• Experience with tailings storage facilities, closure and reclamation programs, and sustainability initiatives is highly desirable.

Physical Requirements

• Candidates may be required to pass a medical exam.
• Candidates must pass all required training and testing.
• Employees may be required to work a non-standard schedule, including shift work, in a 24/7 operation.
• Pre-employment drug testing and ongoing drug and alcohol testing may be required, as allowed by applicable laws.

Why This Role Matters
This role supports environmental compliance, stewardship, and risk management at one of the largest copper mining operations in the United States. The Chief Environmental Engineer helps ensure responsible mining practices through regulatory leadership, environmental systems, and operational support.

Apply
👉 Apply online: https://talent.fmjobs.com/careers/job/43017917

⚠️ Disclaimer
This job is shared for informational purposes. WeMineUp is not affiliated with the hiring company. Please apply through the official company process.