Environmental Program Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

TradewaterEnvironmental Program Associate, CollectionsLocation - United States: Kansas City, MO, St. Louis, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma City
A certified B Corp, Tradewater is on a mission to bend the curve on global warming as quickly as possible, directly combating climate change by identifying, collecting, and mitigating the release of non-CO₂ superpollutants—including old refrigerants, excess halons, and methane. These actions reduce potent greenhouse gases, protect the ozone layer, and generate high-integrity carbon credits that fund and expand our mission worldwide. Our projects also create measurable social and economic value for local communities, creating long-lasting benefits that strengthen economies and improve ecosystems endangering public health.  
Targeting superpollutants offers one of the fastest, most cost-effective climate strategies available today. These non-CO₂ gases drive nearly half of all human-caused warming, are exponentially more potent than CO₂, and cannot be removed from the atmosphere once released. Cutting halocarbons and methane delivers bigger and faster climate benefits than CO₂ reductions alone and leading models, from MIT to the IPCC, agree that tackling superpollutants is essential to any credible net-zero pathway.
 
Since 2012, Tradewater has prevented over 10.6 million tons of CO₂ equivalent from releasing into the atmosphere and are on path to prevent at least 30 million tons by 2030.  We are committed to bending the curve on global warming as quickly as possible and delivering trusted, measurable, scalable climate impact today.  
The Opportunity
The Environmental Project Associate is part of our U.S. Halocarbon team and is responsible for traveling throughout the country to support the collection of refrigerants across the United States. This role is expected to spend 30-50% of their time driving or flying to support these efforts, within their designated region. When not on the road, this role is responsible for planning collection trips and working with our sourcing team, fielding inbound calls and pipeline support for our Small Scall Aggregation (SSA) efforts.
 
The Environmental Project Associate position is a combination of remote and travel. Candidates must be based in proximity to a major airport; Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, or Chicago preferred. Candidates must be available, able and willing to travel according to the requirements listed below.
Applications for this position will be accepted through September 15, 2026. Please include as part of your application a cover letter detailing your interest and experience with respect to this role.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Collaborate across the team to implement sales and collection strategies. Support the Sourcing Team in fielding inquiries throughout all stages of the sales pipeline.
• Stay up to date on market trends and communicate upwards to leadership. Offer constructive upward feedback on strategies that allow Tradewater to hold a strong position in the refrigerant market. 
• Region target setting: Work with manager to set specific targets for assigned region and/or project type.
• Respond to, generate, and identify leads (inbound and outbound) through email, phone, webform submission, social media, etc and successfully move them through the sourcing pipeline; resulting in prospect to converted, prospect to acquired conversions.
• Manage and foster positive professional short-term relationships with clients from diverse backgrounds, ensuring exceptional service, timely and accurate responses.
• Assess and report on collection strategies and outcomes within region to ensure optimal performance. Use data systems and tools to make accurate assessments of pricing and other financial implications of specific deals and then make informed recommendations on how to close the deals.
• Within specific parameters, negotiate the purchase of eligible refrigerants, maintaining cost-effectiveness, and strategic collection methods.
• Take multiple trips per month (approximately 2–4-days each) to collect refrigerant, spending up to 10 days on the road monthly and involving long distance driving (rental car provide) and flights within the United States, largely within region of responsibility, but could include other regions as required. Lift cylinders up to 80 pounds solo and be able to maneuver 220 pounds with leverage or other assistance.
• Plan and execute strategic and effective trips to collect material, including collaboration with neighboring/overlapping regions, maintain an accurate supply and ongoing replenishment of supplies to meet trip needs, and wrap collections trips in an accurate and timely manner, including managing large quantities of cash. Safely package refrigerant for transport and follow DOT, EPA, and other safety protocols. Ensure purchase documentation for all deals are checked for accuracy.
• Maintain communication with committed deals and agents within your region to keep them updated on upcoming trips. Communicate professionally, concisely, and promptly with all stakeholders affected by the work or by developments in assigned region or project.
• Utilize Customer Relationship Management Software and Data Systems to move clients through the sales pipeline and provide detailed and accurate data and information.
• Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines, and policies. Create and maintain internal resources, such as training materials, reference guides, SOPs to support team onboarding and the continuous improvement of department operations.
• Be knowledgeable of other departments' workflows and collaborate cross-functionally to
• support shared goals and improve operational efficiency. Provide feedback to enhance
• internal workflows and suggest process improvements that support business growth. Triage and field client issues that require escalation to other teams. Internally collaborate to resolve issues pertaining to payment, shipping, collection, weight discrepancies, etc.
• Maintain technical refrigerant knowledge of chemical and physical properties such as classification and composition, as well as, where and how gases are used.
• Strong technical knowledge of cylinder sizes, tare weights, recognizing the differences between various container types, refrigerant identifiers and safety/HazMat classifications.
• Knowledge of storage and handling procedures, in order to coordinate refrigerant shipments in full compliance with DOT and HazMat regulations, guiding clients on proper labeling, packaging and documentation.
• Obtain EPA certification and maintain up-to-date knowledge of protocols, verifier requirements, DOT and EPA shipping regulations, and other relevant compliance standards.
• Be knowledgeable of other departments' workflows and collaborate cross-functionally to support shared goals and improve operational efficiency. Provide feedback to enhance internal workflows and suggest process improvements that support business growth. Triage and field client issues that require escalation to other teams. Internally collaborate to resolve issues pertaining to payment, shipping, collection, weight discrepancies, etc.
• Facilitate assigned training sessions and actively contribute to the content. Serve as an onboarding buddy to new team members.   
• Support Special Projects when applicable.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or 2-3+ years relevant equivalent work experience.
• Passion for environmental sustainability and mission to fight climate change.
• Ability and willingness to travel by car or plane within the United States, roughly 30% of the time (average 1-3 trips per month) and drive long hours (up to 12 hours per day). International travel may be required occasionally for company meetings.
• Confidence to coordinate and execute travel independently, in a timely manner, often to rural areas.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills, including prior demonstrated customer service experience.
• Experience with and comfort using Microsoft Suite and other web-based applications on both computers and smart phones. Experience using CRMs and/or inventory management systems preferred.
• Strong attention to detail, ability to be incredibly careful with paperwork, and ability to thoroughly complete tasks.
• Willingness to handle and transport refrigerants and follow DOT Hazmat Regulations.
• Disciplined approach to carefully comply with policies and safety procedures.
• Willingness to handle new situations and meet challenges with enthusiasm.
• All candidates must have a clean driving record and pass a driving record check, own a smartphone, be able to maneuver containers up to 220 pounds, with the help of rolling and leveraging, and be able to lift, on your own, containers that weigh up to 80 pounds.
• While it is not necessary that a candidate have their own car or truck, it is preferred.
• Not required but knowledge of DOT hazmat regulations an added plus.
• Not required, but experience with HVAC and refrigerants an added plus.
• Not required but experience preparing shipping documents an added plus.

The Application Process
If you are passionate about Tradewater’s mission and think you can be successful in this role, even if you don't check all the boxes, please apply. Here is a guide for what to expect throughout the hiring process.
Tradewater provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, political affiliation, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Tradewater is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email recruiting@tradewater.us. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
Salary & Benefits
The expected annual salary range for a U.S. based candidate is between $55,000-$70,000 USD. Compensation is determined based on a variety of factors including relevant experience, other position-related qualifications/skills, geographic location, and business needs.
This position may be based in a variety of locations around the world. Tradewater’s compensation approach is determined by geographic location as well as relevant experience, qualifications, and skills.
Benefits vary by region and may include:

• A bonus program to recognize the shared success of our team.
• Multiple paid time away from work offerings; including personal and sick time, parental leave, and company and floating (flex) holidays.
• Home office reimbursement for new team members to support a productive home working environment.
• An annual professional development budget for you to further your growth.