PORT ANGELES — Jeff Robb, who has been the Port of Port Angeles’ director of environmental affairs since June 24, now has an official job description.

Port commissioners approved the description Friday during a special meeting on a 2-1 vote.

Board President Jim Hallett dissented, as he did in voting against Robb’s contract June 24, the same day Robb resigned as the port’s executive director.

Robb’s new job “does not have a job description, and they normally do,” said Commissioner John Calhoun, who offered language approved by the board.

Commissioner Paul McHugh said Robb’s job is contained in his new contract but that the document approved Friday “better details the area of work that we would expect to take place.”

Research Hallett conducted on similar positions around the country indicated that 50 percent of the positions required a master’s degree, and fewer than 5 percent were paid more than $120,000.

Robb, a 1972 graduate of Sequim High School, holds an associate degree in civil engineering from Peninsula College and makes $138,000 a year.

Education requirements

“I would feel more comfortable if we had some specific education requirements,” Hallett said.

“We’re not hiring a scientist here,” responded McHugh, adding that Robb will represent the port as it becomes more involved in multi-party cleanups.

Calhoun had recommended creating the position and having Robb fill it.

“What I had in mind was to capture the continuity and experience of the individual involved,” Calhoun said.

Commissioners approved the contract after Robb had threatened litigation over personnel issues at the port.

Environmental cleanup

Robb will oversee issues related to environmental cleanup of the western Port Angeles Harbor, the former Peninsula Plywood mill site and the marine trades area adjacent to the mill until he retires in July 2014.

According to the description, Robb “is responsible for conducting the port’s work on environmental issues including implementing port policy, regulatory compliance with cleanup sites and representing the port’s interests, as directed by the executive director, by working with environmental regulators, partners in environmental remediation orders such as cities and corporations, and other stakeholders.”

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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.