Environmental Science Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PERMITTING PRINCIPAL

Description

Our Client is searching for a highly motivated and committed individual for our Environmental & Permitting Principal position for their project. Reporting to the Environmental and Permitting Manager, or any other individual designated by the Company, the Environmental and Permitting Principal is responsible for the daily management of the environmental leads, specialists, contractors, and environmental vendors. This job directs site departments on environmental compliance, provides permitting direction, including support for new or modified permits and compliance management with existing permits, and conducts routine environmental reviews, audits, and document results/findings in environmental reports to ensure compliance. The position tracks the department budget, cost allocations, purchasing and consulting and/or contractor service agreements associated with compliance. This role is the subject matter expert on air permitting and regulations and has direct accountability for staff development and training. 

The successful candidate will work out of the Client office. This is not a remote role.

Responsibilities

Environmental Compliance & Permitting

· Promote environmental awareness and responsible practices across project activities.

· Collaborate with all departments to ensure alignment of required permits and regulatory compliance for all site and construction activities at the local, state, and federal levels.

· Support leadership with future permitting evaluations that support project development and operational timelines and assist with preparation and review of new and revised permit applications and environmental studies. 

· Develop internal guidelines and standard operating procedures aligned with environmental compliance and permitting requirements.

· Conduct environmental audits and department reviews to ensure ongoing compliance. 

· Support regulatory inspections and audits, including documentation and response coordination. Lead compliance efforts regarding agency actions such as enforcement actions, consent decrees, stipulations or similar, including coordination and development of responses and mitigations.

· Prepare and deliver monthly environmental compliance reports to leadership.

· Maintain knowledge of applicable environmental regulatory requirements.

Team Leadership & Talent Management

· Oversee work schedules and assignments for environmental staff and supporting contractors.

· Manage talent within the department, including hiring, performance evaluations, coaching, and disciplinary actions.

· Oversee staff development, continuing education, and skills advancement to ensure awareness of regulatory updates and best practices.

Contractor & Consultant Management

· Manage external consultants and contractors, including development of scopes of work and service agreements.

· Ensure vendor compliance with environmental regulations and applicable worksite requirements.

Other Duties

• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to meet operational needs.

This job description is intended to provide a summary of the typical functions of the job and is not a comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

Requirements

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.

· Professional engineering license or equivalent professional designation preferred. 

· Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in environmental permitting and compliance, preferably within mining or large, complex project development environments.

· Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in air related permitting and compliance, preferably within mining or large, complex project development environments.

· Demonstrated expertise in federal, state, and local environmental permitting frameworks and regulatory processes.

· Comprehensive understanding of environmental science, technical and engineering design concepts, and their integration into project development and operational planning.

· Proven experience leading multidisciplinary environmental programs and interfacing with regulatory agencies and senior leadership.

· Valid driver’s license with good driving record.

Skills and Abilities

· Strategic ability to interpret and apply environmental permitting requirements to advance major projects while managing regulatory risk.

· Advanced written and oral communication skills, with the ability to deliver executive-level briefings and technical presentations in public and regulatory forums.

· Strong leadership capabilities, including direct supervision of internal staff and oversight of external consultants and contractors.

· Ability to mentor and develop environmental professionals, fostering technical excellence and regulatory competency.

· Expertise in developing compliance tracking systems and governance processes to ensure continual adherence to permit conditions and reporting obligations.

· Advanced organizational planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and firm deadlines.

· Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with regulators, community leaders, and cross-functional project teams.

· Vendor and consultant management expertise, including development of scopes of work, establishment of performance metrics, tracking deliverables, and ensuring alignment with project objectives.

· Demonstrated commitment to safety leadership and environmental stewardship principles within a mining or industrial setting.

Physical Job Requirements & Working Conditions

This role requires the ability to work in both office and active project site environments, including occasional travel to operating or construction sites. Physical requirements may include extended periods of sitting and computer use, walking on uneven terrain, climbing stairs or accessing elevated platforms, and wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, safety glasses, steel-toe boots, respiratory protection and high-visibility clothing. The position may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, dust, and other typical construction or industrial site environments, while maintaining a strong commitment to safety and compliance with all health, safety, and environmental standards.