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Environmental Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Environmental & Property Condition - Technical Director * Performs senior-level technical guidance for a specific discipline of JLL's Real Estate Due Diligence (JREDD) - Environmental & Property ...

Head of Environmental

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$180 - $240/hr

Act as the principal environmental advisor to the Managing Director, Director of HSSE, and Senior Management Team * Lead the terminal's ISO 14001 Environmental Management System and ensure compliance ...

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Showing results 1-20

Environmental Director information

See California salary details

$40K

$125.7K

$194.9K

How much do environmental director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for environmental director in California is $125,667.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,000.00 and $141,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Environmental Director do?

An Environmental Director oversees an organization's environmental programs, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and promoting sustainable practices. They develop strategies to minimize environmental impact, manage environmental audits, and coordinate with regulatory agencies. Environmental Directors also lead teams, set goals for reducing waste and emissions, and ensure that environmental policies are effectively implemented across the organization.

What does an Environmental Director do?

An environmental director oversees the environmental performance of an organization. Their duties include the development and implementation of environmental policies and procedures. During the planning process, they may conduct sustainability assessments or research. They often oversee an environmental department and support the allocation of funding towards compliance and sustainability needs. They may need to provide education or outreach to ensure that all procedures are followed.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Environmental Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Environmental Director, you need a solid background in environmental science or engineering, regulatory compliance expertise, and typically a relevant degree such as a BS or MS in environmental studies. Familiarity with environmental management systems (EMS), GIS software, and certifications like Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) are commonly required. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and communication skills help drive sustainability initiatives and engage diverse stakeholders. These competencies are crucial to ensure regulatory compliance, promote organizational sustainability, and lead effective environmental programs.

What are some common challenges an Environmental Director faces when implementing sustainability initiatives across an organization?

Environmental Directors often encounter challenges such as aligning sustainability goals with organizational objectives, securing buy-in from stakeholders, and navigating complex environmental regulations. They must balance immediate operational needs with long-term environmental impacts, often requiring creative problem-solving and collaboration with various departments like operations, compliance, and executive leadership. Successfully addressing these challenges involves strong communication skills, strategic planning, and the ability to stay updated on evolving environmental standards.

What is the difference between Environmental Director vs Environmental Manager?

AspectEnvironmental DirectorEnvironmental Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field; often requires leadership experienceBachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field; certifications like CEM (Certified Environmental Manager) are common
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, policy development, high-level decision making, often in corporate or government settingsOperational oversight, project management, compliance monitoring, working directly with teams and projects
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in large corporations, government agencies, and organizations with significant environmental responsibilitiesCommon in industries like manufacturing, construction, and consulting firms

The main difference between an Environmental Director and an Environmental Manager lies in scope and focus. Environmental Directors typically handle strategic planning and policy at a high level, while Environmental Managers focus on day-to-day operations and project implementation. Both roles require relevant credentials and industry experience, but the Director's role is more leadership and policy-oriented, whereas the Manager's role is more operational.

What are the most commonly searched types of Environmental jobs in California?

The most popular types of Environmental jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Environmental Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Environmental Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Environmental Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Environmental Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Environmental Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,667 per year, or $60.4 per hour.

Environmental Director (Principal-Level Consultant)

Actalent

Irvine, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Description

This role is expected to operate at a Principal-level, with autonomy in project execution, client management, and strategic decision-making.

Lead site investigation and remediation projects across Southern California

Prepare and review technical reports for DTSC, RWQCB, and CalEPA

Manage multidisciplinary teams (engineers, geologists, scientists)

Act as client-facing lead for regulatory strategy and project delivery

Support business development efforts (client growth, proposals)

Mentor junior staff and contribute to internal team development

Participate in fieldwork (~50% early, decreasing over time)

Expected to contribute to business development, including client relationship expansion, proposal support, and revenue growth initiatives.

Skills

Project management, Remediation, Environmental engineering, environmental consulting, report writing, business development, environmental compliance, soil sampling, environmental remediation, site assessment, environmental construction, environmental monitoring, phase ii environmental site assessments, phase i environmental site assessments, environmental investigations, technical report writing, regulatory agency, construction, construction management, hazwoper, groundwater, brownfield, industrial hygiene, osha 40, phase ii environmental, budget management, permitting, environmental regulations, environmental testing, environmental site assessment, environmental science, geology, wastewater, drilling, soil vapor, groundwater monitoring, autocad, treatment plans, litigation, industrial cleaning, toxicology, hazardous waste, environmental law, water resources, pollution control, air quality, water quality, site development

Top Skills Details

Project management,Remediation,Environmental engineering,environmental consulting,report writing,business development

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Strong California regulatory experience (DTSC / RWQCB required)

Must be able to write reports

Must be able to provide transcripts

8–15+ years of environmental consulting experience (California-focused)

Proven technical skills as applied to environmental investigation and remediation projects


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About Actalent

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Actalent connects passion with purpose. Our scalable talent solutions and services capabilities drive value and results and provide the expertise to help our customers achieve more. Every day, our experts around the globe are making an impact. We're supporting critical initiatives in engineering and sciences that advance how companies serve the world. Actalent promotes consultant care and engagement through experiences that enable continuous development. Our people are the difference. Actalent is an operating company of Allegis Group, the global leader in talent solutions.

Industry

Business management consulting

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hanover, MD, US

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