Creative Operations Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Environmental Works, Inc. (EWI) is seeking an Operations Manager to lead and grow our established Omaha office. This role will be responsible for developing client relationships, expanding the local book of business, and leading field execution across environmental field services, emergency response, and industrial maintenance and cleaning services.

The Operations Manager will oversee daily operations, manage crews and projects, prepare estimates and proposals, support hiring and training, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and drive profitable growth in the Omaha market. This position requires a practical, entrepreneurial leader who can build trust with clients, solve problems in the field, and strengthen EWI's presence as a go-to environmental services provider in the region.

Operations Manager | Essential Functions

• Lead and manage field operations to ensure work is performed safely, efficiently, profitably, and in accordance with company standards.
• Manage projects from initial scoping through completion, including site walks, estimating, proposal development, work planning, crew coordination, client communication, reporting, invoicing, and project closeout.
• Prepare proposals, cost estimates, work plans, project reports, bidding specifications, DEL logs, time records, maintenance reports, and other project documentation.
• Review timesheets, job costs, draft invoices, and final invoices to ensure accuracy, profitability, and timely billing.
• Provide on-site leadership for field crews, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Coordinate equipment, labor, materials, subcontractors, transportation, disposal, and other resources needed to complete assigned work.
• Troubleshoot field conditions and develop practical, creative solutions that protect safety, client interests, schedule, and project profitability.
• Maintain strong communication with clients and internal teams before, during, and after project execution.

Emergency Response

• Lead, support, and participate in emergency response operations, including spill response and recovery, chemical spills, truck incidents, fixed-facility releases, product transfer, railroad incidents and derailments, pipeline and storage tank leaks, natural disaster recovery, and related response activities.
• Maintain readiness for emergency response work, including after-hours, weekend, holiday, and 24/7 on-call support as required.
• Assess emergency situations, help develop response plans, coordinate crews and equipment, and communicate with clients, regulators, and internal leadership.
• Ensure emergency response documentation, waste handling, regulatory reporting support, and client communication are completed accurately and promptly.

Industrial Services and Field Work

• Supervise and perform industrial and field service work, including tank cleaning, industrial cleaning, vacuum truck support, waste bulking, equipment operation, material handling, site preparation, site cleanup, and related field tasks.
• Assist with loading and staging hoses, tools, chemicals, pumps, PPE, and other job-specific equipment.
• Inspect equipment, hoses, connections, pumps, vehicles, tools, and work areas to support safe and reliable operations.
• Work in industrial facilities, uncontrolled environments, confined spaces, tanks, outdoor areas, and other physically demanding field conditions.

Safety, Compliance, and Team Leadership

• Maintain safety standards and requirements at all times for self, crews, subcontractors, and work sites.
• Conduct safety audits, site inspections, job safety analyses, and field observations.
• Ensure work is completed in compliance with applicable OSHA, HAZWOPER, DOT, client, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, responsiveness, teamwork, and high performance.
• Train, mentor, and develop field staff.
• Promote a positive working environment that supports EWI's goals, values, and reputation.

Operations and Market Development

• Lead and grow EWI's Omaha operation, including client relationships, service delivery capabilities, vendor relationships, and market presence.
• Build, maintain, and expand a book of clients in the Omaha market through relationship development, responsiveness, technical credibility, and consistent service delivery.
• Identify and pursue opportunities across field services, emergency response, industrial cleaning, environmental contracting, remediation support, waste handling, and related service lines.
• Represent EWI professionally with clients, prospects, vendors, regulators, subcontractors, municipalities, industrial facilities, utilities, transportation clients, and other business contacts.
• Partner with leadership, business development, safety, operations, support, and marketing teams to strengthen the location's service capabilities and revenue base.
• Support local hiring, onboarding, training, and development of field staff based on operational needs.

Operations Manager | Competencies

• Strong field leadership skills with the ability to lead crews in dynamic, high-pressure, and physically demanding environments.
• Proven ability to build client relationships and grow revenue in an established or developing market.
• Practical judgment, mechanical aptitude, and creative problem-solving ability.
• Knowledge of field services, industrial services, emergency response, waste handling, and environmental contracting.
• Knowledge of OSHA, HAZWOPER, DOT, and applicable environmental regulations.
• Ability to prepare proposals, estimates, reports, work plans, project documentation, and client correspondence.
• Ability to manage project costs, invoices, schedules, manpower, equipment, and profitability.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work with a variety of personalities and communication styles.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to safely operate or supervise the operation of assigned tools, vehicles, and equipment.
• Ability to wear full-face and half-face respirators.
• Ability to meet DOT physical requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; Microsoft Teams experience preferred.

Operations Manager | Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position that requires work in both office and field environments. The role requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on project and emergency response needs. The position may require 24/7 on-call availability for emergency response work and frequent travel to client sites.

Operations Manager | Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Five or more years of experience in environmental field services, industrial services, emergency response, remediation, construction, waste management, or a related field.
• Three or more years of supervisory, crew leadership, project management, or operations management experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing field projects, crews, clients, safety requirements, and project profitability.
• Demonstrated ability to develop client relationships, pursue opportunities, and support revenue growth.

Operations Manager | Preferred Education and Experience

• Existing book of business or established relationships in industrial, environmental, utility, transportation, manufacturing, municipal, commercial, or related markets in Omaha and the surrounding region.
• Experience growing or managing a branch, service line, territory, or market.
• 40-hour HAZWOPER certification strongly preferred.
• Valid Class A or B CDL with tanker and air brake endorsements preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification preferred.
• Heavy equipment, vacuum truck, hydro blasting, tank cleaning, waste handling, or industrial cleaning experience preferred.
• Job costing, estimating, and proposal development experience preferred.
• Environmental consulting, remediation, emergency spill response, or industrial maintenance experience preferred.

Operations Manager | Work Environment

Work is performed in both professional office environments and uncontrolled field environments. Exposure to dust, fumes, chemicals, hazardous materials, noise, heavy equipment, traffic, confined spaces, tanks, elevated work areas, and varying weather conditions is possible. Work may occur outdoors in extreme heat, cold, wet, dry, or otherwise adverse conditions. Employees are required to follow all safety standards and wear required personal protective equipment in designated areas.

About Environmental Works

Environmental Works, Inc. is a full-service environmental consulting and contracting firm providing turnkey solutions for public and private sector clients. EWI's capabilities include environmental consulting, site remediation, industrial services, field services, drilling, tank services, emergency response, and related environmental solutions. The