Staff news

Now hiring: Terminal Operations Project Manager

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This position is located in Valdez, Alaska.

The Council is seeking a skilled and motivated professional to serve as our Terminal Operations Program Manager in Valdez!

We are looking for a highly motivated and detail-oriented professional with expertise in terminal systems, regulatory engagement, and technical project management. This position leads the Council’s work related to the safe, transparent, and environmentally sound operation of the Valdez Marine Terminal. The role supports the Terminal Operations and Environmental Monitoring (TOEM) Committee and works closely with staff, industry representatives, regulators, and local stakeholders.

The Terminal Operations Program Manager responsibilities include:

  • Managing technical projects, contracts, and consultants related to Valdez Marine Terminal systems such as mechanical integrity, storage tanks, vapor controls, and spill prevention.
  • Coordinating the development and execution of the TOEM Committee’s annual work plan, and supporting the committee in meeting its strategic goals.
  • Reviewing proposed operational or regulatory changes and preparing technical analyses, summaries, and responses.
  • Preparing clear and effective written materials including reports, presentations, committee packets, and public communications.
  • Facilitating TOEM Committee meetings, including scheduling, agenda preparation, and follow-up documentation.
  • Collaborating with industry, regulatory agencies, and local partners to gather input and share Council perspectives.
  • Tracking project budgets, processing invoices, and ensuring compliance with procurement and contract policies.
  • Representing the Council at relevant meetings, drills, conferences, and trainings.
  • Monitoring developments at the terminal and recommending actions or areas of focus for the Council.

Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, marine transportation, environmental science, or a related field. At least three years of relevant professional experience in oil and gas, maritime operations, terminal systems, environmental monitoring, or regulatory compliance. Strong written and verbal communication skills, project management experience, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are essential.

This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting annual salary of $113,400+ DOE. An additional 10% of base salary is provided for Valdez cost of living adjustment. After 60 days of successful employment, an additional 25% of base salary is added for optional benefits, bringing total compensation to $153,090.

A complete job description can be found at: Terminal Operations Program Manager (PDF).

 Questions? Email info@pwsrcac.org

About the Council

The Council was formed in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill with the mission of promoting the environmentally safe operation of the Valdez Marine Terminal and the associated tankers. The Council has an annual operating budget around $4.2M with a total staff of 18 and over 50 volunteers.

More about the Council

To apply

Applications will only be considered when emailed to hans.odegard@pwsrcac.org. Please include:

  1. Current resume
  2. Cover letter describing why your education, work experience, and career goals are a good match for this position and why you want to work for the PWSRCAC
  3. List of at least three professional references with contact information

Finalists may be subject to criminal and credit background checks, and verification of education and past employment.

Open until filled – first review of Terminal Operations applicants: September 22, 2025.

New staff member joins Anchorage office

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Suparat Prasannet
Suparat Prasannet

In December, the Council welcomed a new staff member, Suparat Prasannet. Prasannet has a background in office management, previously overseeing operations at Alaska Immigration Law Center, where she streamlined systems and kept everything running smoothly. Alongside her administrative expertise, Prasannet is pursuing a degree in marketing.

Her duties as the IT/Admin Assistant for the Council include maintaining and managing hardware, software, online services, network infrastructure, and oversight of the Council’s historical digital archive, among other duties. She replaces Hans Odegard, who was promoted to Director of Administration last year.

Council shoring up its crew: two promotions and a new hire

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Two long-time Alaskans on the Council’s staff are moving up the ranks and a former Valdez resident is returning to join the Council’s staff.

In June, staff member Hans Odegard was promoted to the position of director of administration. Odegard was first hired as a project manager assistant in 2019. He was later promoted to information technology coordinator. Odegard replaced KJ Crawford, who resigned in January.

Odegard grew up in Eagle River and attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration.

Jaina Willahan, the Council’s newest project manager assistant, was originally hired as the administrative assistant in 2021. In the intervening time she has also served as office coordinator in Anchorage.

A lifelong Alaskan, Willahan attended the University of Alaska Anchorage.

In early June, Dr. John Guthrie joined the Council to manage projects related to maritime operations. Dr. Guthrie grew up in Valdez and previously worked with Stan Stephens’ Cruises for 10 years, six of those as a captain. He holds a doctorate in physical oceanography and most recently was a senior research scientist at the Polar Science Center at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Dr. Guthrie is replacing Alan Sorum, who has been the maritime operations project manager for the past 13 years.

Council mourns loss of Anchorage staffer

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Natalie Novik, administrative assistant for the Anchorage office, passed away in October 2021, after a two-year battle with cancer. Natalie joined Council staff in June 2014.

Born and educated in Paris, Natalie was proud of her Breton and Russian roots. She dedicated much of her life to oil spill prevention and response in Alaska and internationally.

She volunteered to help clean up after multiple oil spills that plagued Brittany starting in the 1970s. When the Exxon Valdez spill occurred, Natalie was teaching in New York and already planning to move to Alaska.

In Alaska, Natalie spent 13 years with Northern Forum, a nonprofit group created to improve communications and cooperation in northern regions. In that role she supported providing ongoing know-how and assistance related to the 1994 pipeline spill in the Komi Republic in Russia. As part of Northern Forum’s program on disaster management in the North and the Arctic, Natalie was in charge of relations with the Arctic Council.

Years before joining the Council’s staff, she provided translation and interpretation between the Council and Sydicat Mixte Vigipol, a citizen governance group created after the Amoco Cadiz ran aground in 1978 on the Brittany coast. Natalie also worked two years for Ecoshelf on Sakhalin Island in Russia, translating contracts and documents related to oil spill prevention, monitoring, and response.

Natalie was an advocate for residents of northern regions and cross-cultural engagement in many ways. She worked for the Alaska Native Science Commission’s community self-reliance project from 2012-2013, and the World Trade Centers Association immediately before joining the Council’s staff. From 2009-2014, she served as Honorary Consul of France in Alaska. She was a devoted volunteer for the Celtic Community of Alaska, where she was still serving as president until she passed.

Natalie was very proud of her work with the Council and was a true believer in our mission. She provided vast contributions to the Council’s robust archives, directly supporting the success of many projects that rely on historical knowledge. She firmly believed in the value of gathering and connecting in person, and poured attention into every detail for the annual Science Night event, volunteer workshop, and holiday party.

Natalie left behind her beloved cat Sashka (who has been adopted by a friend), many friends and colleagues, and memories of her sense of humor, caring, creativity, and passion. When Natalie applied for her position at the Council, she summed up her career thusly: “curious and creative individuals will go through life learning new skills and enriching their potential.”

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