ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Lead Environmental Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GHD Group

Lead Environmental Scientist

Houston, TX · On-site

Lead or support contaminated site assessment, remediation, closure, regulatory compliance, and ... Bachelor's and/or advanced degree in Environmental Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science ...

GHD

Lead Environmental Scientist

Houston, TX · On-site +1

Lead or support contaminated site assessment, remediation, closure, regulatory compliance, and ... Bachelor's and/or advanced degree in Environmental Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEnergy And Environment JobsEnvironment JobsEnvironmental Scientist JobsLead Environmental Scientist Jobs

Lead Environmental Scientist information

See salary details

$27K

$112.7K

$200.5K

How much do lead environmental scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead environmental scientist in the United States is $112,722.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lead environmental scientist do?

A Lead Environmental Scientist is responsible for overseeing environmental research, assessments, and projects to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and promote sustainability. They lead teams in collecting and analyzing environmental data, develop mitigation strategies, and provide expert guidance to organizations and government agencies. Their work often involves preparing reports, coordinating with stakeholders, and ensuring that projects minimize negative impacts on the environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead environmental scientist?

To thrive as a Lead Environmental Scientist, you need a solid background in environmental science, regulatory compliance, and project management, usually supported by an advanced degree and relevant certifications. Familiarity with GIS software, environmental modeling tools, and data analysis platforms is typically required. Strong leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving skills set top professionals apart in this role. These abilities are crucial for ensuring compliance, managing multidisciplinary teams, and delivering impactful environmental solutions.

What are some common challenges faced by lead environmental scientists when managing multidisciplinary project teams?

Lead Environmental Scientists often coordinate teams of specialists such as ecologists, engineers, and regulatory experts. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication across disciplines to align project goals and timelines. Balancing regulatory compliance, stakeholder expectations, and scientific rigor can also be demanding. Success in this role frequently depends on strong project management skills, adaptability, and the ability to mentor team members while keeping projects on track.

What is the difference between Lead Environmental Scientist vs Environmental Consultant?

AspectLead Environmental ScientistEnvironmental Consultant
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, often with professional certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science or related field, with certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, field sites, project management settingsClient sites, consulting firms, project-based environments
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, government agencies, large corporationsConsulting firms, environmental service companies, private sector
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership roles in environmental projectsCompared for advisory and project execution roles

The Lead Environmental Scientist typically oversees complex projects, manages teams, and provides strategic guidance in environmental research and compliance. Environmental Consultants focus on advising clients, conducting assessments, and implementing solutions. Both roles require similar credentials but differ mainly in scope and work environment.

Is there a demand for lead environmental scientists?

Lead environmental scientists are in demand due to increasing environmental regulations and the need for sustainable practices across industries. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as organizations seek expertise in environmental assessment, remediation, and compliance, often requiring advanced degrees and certifications such as Professional Engineer or Certified Environmental Scientist.

What jobs can a Lead Environmental Scientist lead to?

A Lead Environmental Scientist can advance to roles such as Environmental Manager, Sustainability Director, or Environmental Consultant, often requiring additional leadership skills and certifications like the Professional Environmental Auditor (PEA). They may also move into project management, policy development, or specialized technical positions within environmental consulting firms, government agencies, or corporate sustainability departments.

What cities are hiring for Lead Environmental Scientist jobs?

Cities with the most Lead Environmental Scientist job openings:

What states have the most Lead Environmental Scientist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Lead Environmental Scientist jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Lead Environmental Scientist jobs?

For Lead Environmental Scientist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Lead Environmental Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,722 per year, or $54.2 per hour.

Lead Environmental Scientist/Staff Environmental Engineer

Houston, TX • On-site

Enterprise Products Partners L.P
Oil and Gas Extraction • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about Enterprise Products Partners L.Pexternal

$71K - $94K/yr

Other

Re-posted 5 days ago

Enterprise Products rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Enterprise Products does not accept unsolicitedresumes from recruiting firms. An unsolicited resume submitted by arecruiting firm via-email, hardcopy, the Internet or directly tohiring managers will be deemed the sole property of EnterpriseProducts, and a fee will not be paid in the event the candidate ishired.

Job Description - Lead Environmental Scientist/Staff Environmental Engineer (000H0O)

Job Description

Lead Environmental Scientist/Staff Environmental Engineer - 000H0O

Description

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is one of the largest publicly traded partnerships and a leading North American provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals. Our services include: natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transportation and storage; NGL transportation, fractionation, storage and import and export terminals; crude oil gathering, transportation, storage and terminals; petrochemical and refined products transportation, storage and terminals; and a marine transportation business that operates primarily on the United States inland and Intracoastal Waterway systems. The partnership’s assets include approximately 50,000 miles of pipelines; 260 million barrels of storage capacity for NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals; and 14 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage capacity.

The Lead Environmental Scientist/Staff Environmental Engineer (NEPA) will report to the Senior Manager, Environmental (NEPA) and will lead environmental permitting (e.g. Sections 404/10) efforts associated with new projects, as well as the maintenance of existing assets. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Prepare, either individually or through oversight of third-party contractors, state/federal authorization requests, namely U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404/10, state/federal construction stormwater permits, state/federal hydrostatic test discharge permits, state drilling mud landfarming permits, and other state/federal authorizations, as applicable.
  • Develop permitting/project strategies that help maintain project schedules without sacrificing regulatory compliance.
  • Maintain knowledge of relevant environmental regulations, such as Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and Rivers and Harbors Act Sections 10 and 408.
  • Promote and maintain effective communication amongst internal project stakeholders, project management, third-party contractors, and regulatory personnel.
  • Provide oral and/or written weekly permitting updates to NEPA Senior Manager and various project stakeholders.
  • Lead efforts to maintain project compliance with applicable state/federal authorizations.
  • Oversee and review the execution of natural and cultural resource surveys, as well as the preparation of associated reports.
  • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, key regulatory personnel, and third-party contractors.
Qualifications

The successful candidate will meet the following qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in environmental, biological science, engineering or other relevant technical field is preferred.
  • Ten or more years of consistent linear project permitting experience, primarily CWA (e.g. Nationwide Permit 12) and relevant state permits. Candidates with fewer years of experience may be considered for an Environmental Scientist/Engineer or Senior Environmental Scientist/Engineer role.
  • Demonstrated experience and understanding of USACE permitting processes, including Section 404, Section 10, Section 408, and Real Estate, as well as associated NEPA-related obligations.
  • Existing positive relationships and extensive experience working with regional regulatory personnel, namely USACE Fort Worth, Galveston, and New Orleans Districts.
  • Adept at communicating effectively to project stakeholders and regulatory staff, as well as members of senior management.
  • Demonstrated ability to overcome regulatory challenges to maintain or abbreviate schedules and reduce projects costs through a solution-oriented mindset.
  • General knowledge of the construction and operation of pipelines, storage, and other oil/gas-related facilities.
  • Maintains a positive attitude toward working in an office environment full time.
Primary Location

USA-Texas-Houston

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 10 % of the Time

Unposting Date

Ongoing

Organization

E H S & T

Job

Environmental, Health, Safety & Training

1100 Louisiana Street, 10th Floor Houston, TX 77002-5227

#J-18808-Ljbffr

What Enterprise Products employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply