Director of Environmental Affairs, Yellowstone National Park

At Xanterra Parks & Resorts (Xanterra), the nation's largest National and State park concessionaire, environmental stewardship is fundamental to everything we do.  In the last several years, Xanterra has established itself as the industry leader in protecting and preserving the environment in more than 21 Xanterra operations in National and State parks and private resorts.

The company's 7,500 employees provide superior guest service to visitors from around the world who visit the company's 31 hotels and lodges with more than 5,300 guest rooms, 52 retail stores, 68 restaurants, 5 marinas, 9 golf courses, and 1,700 campsites within national and state parks. Each year, more than 18 million people visit the national and state parks where Xanterra operates.

These include the national parks at Yellowstone, South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion, Crater Lake, Death Valley, Rocky Mountain, Petrified Forest, and Mount Rushmore National Memorial, as well as facilities at 8 Ohio State Parks and 2 privately-owned resorts, Kingsmill Resort in Virginia and the Grand Canyon Railroad in Arizona. 

Position Overview:

Xanterra is seeking an environmental affairs director to serve as the company's environmental conscience, ambassador and spokesperson, working to make Xanterra's Yellowstone operations the national leader in environmentally responsible business and tourism practices. This person will lead, influence, educate, and mold Xanterra's 2,500 employees at Yellowstone into the most environmentally aware and responsible organization in the hospitality industry.

This agenda is supported at the highest levels in the company, a key ingredient for success. The Director will participate in designing the methodology for approaching and achieving this direction and drive its application. Few positions in any organization afford such tremendous influence over such unique areas of the world, as well as to the communities in which the company does business. This is a rare opportunity to apply passion, technical knowledge, communication and people skills to facilitate cutting-edge business practices that benefit the local national park environment, as well as the planet.

Basic function:

Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive multi-media environmental strategies and programs for Xanterra Parks & Resorts' Yellowstone National Park (YNP) lodging, retail, restaurant, transportation, and hospitality operations.   

Responsibilities:

1. Develop, implement, and maintain environmental strategies and programs for Xanterra's Yellowstone operations consistent with the company's environmental management system (Ecologix) and ISO 14001 standards. Maintain certification of the EMS under ISO 14001 standards.
2. Work with the General Manager, operations departments, and the corporate Vice President of Environmental Affairs to develop and implement environmental management programs in the following areas:
   § Solid waste management
   § Energy and water efficiency of operational systems (including renewable energy)
   § Pollution prevention and waste reduction
   § Sustainable design and construction practices (including the LEED rating system)
   § Hazardous materials and waste management
   § Air emissions control/permitting
   § Environmental communication and education
   § Comprehensive affirmative procurement strategies, and
   § Underground and aboveground storage tanks (fuel dispensing and storage management).
   § Green Retail
   § Storm water Management
3. Coordinate with property departments - such as engineering and purchasing - in implementing projects, setting standards, and monitoring results on environmental goals.
4. Develop and implement appropriate training programs to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and company requirements.
5. Ensure legal compliance with local, NPS, state, and federal environmental statutes and regulations and minimize legal liabilities from potential hazards. This may include regulatory requirements with hazardous materials, hazardous waste (RCRA), universal waste, CFCs/halons, asbestos, lead-based paint, PCBs, pesticides, and fuel storage and delivery system management. This includes providing training to staff on changes in regulations affecting operations.
6. Monitor environmental programs for effectiveness and develop projects for improvement, as needed. Monitor regulatory developments and communicate changes affecting company operations to appropriate personnel. Develop new environmental programs and procedures, as necessary.
7. Serve as environmental spokesperson for Xanterra's Yellowstone National Park operations: communicating with and educating guests and employees; and working with the National Park Service and governmental agencies on resolving environmental challenges and achieving goals.
8. Promote company environmental stewardship with local, regional, and national environmental groups through committee participation and award application/recognition.
9. Research, test, and implement proactive environmental technologies and procedures not only for Yellowstone operations but also to share with other applicable Xanterra operations.
10. Manage the company's Green Team, holding regularly scheduled meetings and establish goals and objectives for the committee.
11. Measure impact of programs and prepare required reports for Xanterra and the National Park Service. Communicate these results with outside stakeholders.
12. Develop and maintain good working relationships with National Park Service staff, state and federal government agencies, and outside stakeholders.
13. Responsible for the selection and monitoring any environmental consultants and contractors needed to achieve company goals.
14. Prepare and administer the annual financial plan for the environmental affairs department.
15. Maintain records and reports for compliance with all agencies having jurisdiction, including National Park Service, and the State of Wyoming and Montana Departments of Environmental Quality.
16. Oversee the continued implementation and improvements in the green retail store
17. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Desired Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science or related field, plus minimum 5 years professional experience, preferably within the hospitality industry, in all aspects of environmental management. While a college degree is required, individual reputation, knowledge and experience in the environmental and sustainability sector will be the key criteria.
2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with extensive experience in technical writing and public speaking. The Director must communicate effectively with both corporate and field employees to identify opportunities to minimize the environmental impacts of Xanterra's business practices. 
3. He or she will be a thought leader in regard to environmental issues and eco-tourism, and must possess outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including experience interacting with the media. This person must demonstrate a political sensibility and be keenly sensitive to various constituencies and the diplomacy appropriate for each.
4. The Director must be savvy as to proper business practices and present programs that are practical and financially sound. The Director must genuinely enjoy people and be an effective team player, while also carefully introducing, promoting and driving change. He/She will face rejection from time to time, but must be resilient and continue to plant seeds while being creative in finding alternate routes to the desired outcomes. This will include engaging in healthy debate and losing some battles in order to win the war.
5. The Director needs to have a personality and management style that inspires others, encourages employees to present their ideas and motivates a highly diverse group of people to understand what is expected and how to achieve/own those objectives. He/She must gain the respect of others by virtue of style, character, expertise and example, rather than through force or position.
6. He or she must be highly-organized and have strong administrative and leadership skills, including experience with operating budgets and the related accountability.
7. Experience in environmental report writing including EMS development, ISO 14001 certification, and environmental compliance auditing.
8. Experience in developing environmental initiatives and implementing all phases of a company-wide environmental program in a cooperative government agency setting.
9. Familiarity with environmental laws and regulations as they relate to the hospitality industry, and an ability to keep abreast of this developing and complex field.
10. Well-developed personal computer skills.
11. Proven ability to build productive relationships by positively interacting with coworkers and clients.
12. Ability to live in a remote, seasonally cold, rural environment
13. Passion for national parks and public lands

Appearance Standards:

The position shall follow the appearance standards as outlined in the Xanterra Parks & Resorts Appearance Standards Policy.

Reporting Relationships:

This position reports directly to the on-site Regional General Manager of Xanterra's Yellowstone operations and also indirectly to the Vice President of Environmental Affairs at the corporate office. 

Location

This is a full-time, year-round position with offices located at Mammoth Hot Springs, WY, north entrance to Yellowstone National Park, 5 miles south of Gardiner, Montana.

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits package includes 401k, health plan, subsidized housing (single family house), meal plan, and vehicle.

Start date: As soon as possible.

To Apply: 

Please email cover letter and resume to Chris Lane, Vice President of Environmental Affairs, or call if you have questions. You must also apply on line at Xanterra.