Regulatory Compliance Officer

Company Description

IDE Technologies is a global leader in advanced water treatment solutions, specializing in the development, engineering, construction, and operation of cutting-edge desalination, water reuse, and industrial water treatment plants. With a strong presence across North America, IDE is committed to delivering sustainable, resilient, and high-quality drinking water systems that protect natural resources and public health. Join a forward-thinking team that combines technical excellence with a deep environmental commitment.

General Role Description

The Regulatory Compliance Officer (RCO) plays a vital role in ensuring that IDE’s North American operations comply with complex environmental regulations at the local, state, and federal levels. This position is responsible for leading environmental permitting, reporting, compliance tracking, and risk management initiatives across multiple regulatory programs. The RCO will independently coordinate agency submittals, analyze environmental performance data, conduct environmental risk and vulnerability assessments, and manage all aspects of IDE’s environmental compliance obligations across assigned project facilities.

This role requires both technical expertise and strong regulatory acumen. The ideal candidate will be a self-driven environmental professional with a passion for environmental protection, innovation in compliance, and the ability to interpret and operationalize environmental regulations in a high-profile public-private infrastructure setting.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance and Permitting

·        Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of environmental permitting and regulatory compliance strategies for IDE Technologies’ facilities across the United States, with primary responsibility at the Carlsbad Desalination Plant.

·        Prepare and manage the submittal of regulatory reports and updates, including but not limited to: Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), CIWQS uploads, QISP annual reports, EPA eGGRT, Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), and EPCRA Tier II submissions.

·        Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulatory programs, including:

o  National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)

o  Coastal Development Permits (CDP)

o  Division of Drinking Water (DDW) regulations

o  Industrial Discharge Permits

o  Air Pollution Control District (APCD)

o  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)

Monitoring, Data Management, and Performance Analysis

·                    Maintain and optimize environmental monitoring programs related to air emissions, effluent discharge, source water intake, and marine outfall systems in accordance with permit and operational requirements.

·                    Track and analyze environmental compliance metrics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for continuous improvement.

·                    Conduct data-driven evaluations of environmental performance; extrapolate laboratory and field sampling results in alignment with AWWA Standard Methods to inform operational decisions and regulatory reporting.

·                    Prepare and maintain environmental compliance registries and vulnerability assessments for assigned facilities.

Risk Assessment and Environmental Planning

·                    Lead environmental risk and vulnerability assessments for facility operations, capital projects, and offshore maintenance activities.

·                    Oversee watershed sanitary survey updates and marine discharge evaluations in accordance with DDW and California Ocean Plan requirements.

·                    Coordinate compliance efforts related to Coastal Development Permits and serve as primary point of contact with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and California Coastal Commission for shoreline and offshore activities.

Agency Interface and Industry Representation

·                    Serve as IDE’s liaison to regulatory agencies including the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs), U.S. EPA, and local CUPA/APCD jurisdictions.

·                    Represent IDE and the seawater desalination sector through active participation in relevant Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs), policy working groups, and regulatory steering committees at the state and local level.

Project and Organizational Support

·                    Support or serve as alternate Project Environmental Coordinator (PEC) for environmental initiatives at new and existing IDE project sites.

·                    Collaborate closely with internal engineering, operations, maintenance, legal, and leadership teams to ensure seamless integration of environmental requirements into daily operations, project planning, and contract deliverables.

·                    Assist in the planning, execution, and follow-up of internal audits, third-party inspections, and regulatory compliance reviews, including development of corrective action plans and agency communications.

·                    Prepare annual environmental program budget estimates, capital and O&M purchase orders, and regulatory settlements for review and approval by the Director of Regulatory Compliance.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Qualification and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

·        Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Policy, or related field. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience (e.g., Associates + 4 years) may be considered.

·        At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental permitting, compliance, and regulatory reporting in a utility, water/wastewater treatment, or industrial process environment.

·        Experience preparing and submitting regulatory reports through platforms such as CIWQS, SMARTS, CERS, eGGRT, and TRI-MEweb.

·        Proven ability to liaise with regulatory agencies, facilitate inspections/audits, and support permit negotiations or enforcement response.

·        Demonstrated working knowledge of NPDES, CIWQS, IDP, DDW, CUPA, CalARP, and Stormwater Programs (IGP/CGP).

·        Working knowledge of water quality laboratory practices and AWWA Standard Methods, including the ability to interpret and extrapolate analytical results for regulatory reporting and to support operational decision making.

·        Strong technical writing, environmental data analysis, and reporting skills.

 Preferred Qualifications:

·        Prior experience working in the desalination, water reuse, or large-scale industrial water sector.

·        Existing REM and/or CEA certification from the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP).

·        SWRCB Water Treatment and/or Distribution Operator Certification.

 Certification and Credentialing Requirements

 The RCO must possess or obtain and maintain in good standing the following certifications within the specified timeframes:

·        Certified Environmental Auditor (CEA) – within 3 months of hire

·        Registered Environmental Manager (REM) – within 6 months of hire

·        Certified Environmental Stormwater Compliance Professional – within 9 months of hire

·        HAZWOPER 40-hour + Supervisor Certification – within 12 months of hire

 Technical Skills

·        Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)

·        Intermediate to advanced experience with:

o  Environmental reporting platforms: CIWQS, SMARTS, CERS, eGGRT, TRI-MEweb

o  Data visualization and compliance tracking: Power BI or equivalent dashboard tools

o  Geospatial and environmental analysis: GIS-based tools for mapping and impact assessments

o  Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or equivalent platforms.

Working Conditions

This position is based at the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant in Carlsbad, California. The Regulatory Compliance Officer will operate primarily out of this facility, with regular interactions across interdisciplinary teams including operations, maintenance, engineering, and external regulatory partners. The role requires approximately 30% travel to other IDE Americas project sites across the United States, including support for environmental audits, regulatory meetings, and project start-up or permitting efforts. Travel may include overnight stays and coordination with out-of-state regulatory authorities or client representatives.

Physical Demands

This position requires frequent walking, standing, climbing, bending, kneeling, and the use of hands and arms

The role requires frequent walking, standing, climbing, bending, and the use of hands and arms to operate field equipment, perform inspections, and collect samples. The employee must occasionally lift or move items up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Duties may require working in confined spaces and wearing tight-fitting respirators. In accordance with Cal/OSHA regulations, employees using respirators must be clean-shaven in the sealing area to ensure proper fit.

 Environmental Conditions

Work is performed in both office and field environments. Field assignments may expose the employee to extreme weather conditions, loud equipment, hazardous chemicals, elevated structures, offshore work areas, and wet or humid conditions. The role also involves routine proximity to mechanical systems, high-pressure lines, and energized equipment. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required during field activities.

 Mental Demands

This position requires strong organizational skills, sound judgment, and the ability to prioritize multiple regulatory deliverables under strict deadlines. The incumbent must be able to synthesize complex regulations, interpret technical data, and communicate findings effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Frequent interface with regulatory agencies, clients, and internal departments demands professionalism, discretion, and a high degree of emotional intelligence.