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Lead Environmental Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WSP

Lead Environmental Scientist

Durham, NC · On-site

Lead larger-scale more complex environmental science projects ensuring contributors know what they are required to do and by when, preparing and overseeing relevant project budgets, monitoring ...

WSP

Lead Environmental Scientist

Durham, NC

Lead larger-scale more complex environmental science projects ensuring contributors know what they are required to do and by when, preparing and overseeing relevant project budgets, monitoring ...

WSP

Lead Environmental Scientist

Burnsville, MN · Hybrid

$77K - $101K/yr

This Opportunity WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Environmental Scientist to join our San Antonio, TX office. This role is open to potential hybrid/remote opportunities. Provide high ...

WSP

Lead Environmental Scientist

Burnsville, MN · Hybrid

$77K - $101K/yr

This Opportunity WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Environmental Scientist to join our San Antonio, TX office. This role is open to potential hybrid/remote opportunities. Provide high ...

WSP

Lead Environmental Scientist

San Antonio, TX · Hybrid

$67K - $88K/yr

This Opportunity WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Environmental Scientist to join our San Antonio, Austin, or Houston, TX office. This role is open to to potential hybrid/remote ...

WSP

Lead Environmental Scientist

San Antonio, TX · Hybrid

$67K - $88K/yr

This Opportunity WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Environmental Scientist to join our San Antonio, Austin, or Houston, TX office. This role is open to to potential hybrid/remote ...

WSP

Senior Lead Environmental Scientist

Shelton, CT · On-site

$109K - $145K/yr

This Opportunity WSP is currently initiating a search for a full-time Senior Lead Environmental Scientist to support our Connecticut operations, in our Glastonbury and Shelton, CT offices. Be ...

WSP

Senior Lead Environmental Scientist

Shelton, CT

$109K - $145K/yr

This Opportunity WSP is currently initiating a search for a full-time Senior Lead Environmental Scientist to support our Connecticut operations, in our Glastonbury and Shelton, CT offices. Be ...

pondco

Environmental Scientist Lead

Peachtree Corners, GA · On-site

$70K - $93K/yr

About the Position We are searching for an experienced Scientist Lead to join our growing Environmental team. The ideal candidate possesses a Bachelor's degree in ecology, natural resources ...

pondco

Environmental Scientist Lead

Peachtree Corners, GA

$70K - $93K/yr

About the Position We are searching for an experienced Scientist Lead to join our growing Environmental team. The ideal candidate possesses a Bachelor's degree in ecology, natural resources ...

Aventia Environmental

Environmental Scientist

Hammond, LA

$61K - $81K/yr

Helps lead and organize team for project field efforts * Communicates scientific and technical information to the project team * Prepares and reviews environmental reports, permits, and related ...

VHB

Environmental Scientist

Providence, RI · Hybrid

$75K - $99K/yr

As an Environmental Scientist, you will be an integral part of our team, conducting vital surveys ... Support to grow your skills and lead through change * Learning and development supported by ...

WSP

Environmental Scientist

Baltimore, MD · On-site

$74K - $97K/yr

Your Impact * Support and/or lead permitting activities and manage tasks for a range of ... Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Resource Management, Wetland Ecology ...

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All JobsLead Environmental Scientist Jobs

Lead Environmental Scientist information

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$27K

$112.7K

$200.5K

How much do lead environmental scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 23, 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Environmental Scientist, and why are they important?

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 are the top 12 careers for environmental majors?

Environmental majors can pursue careers such as environmental scientist, environmental engineer, conservation scientist, environmental consultant, sustainability specialist, environmental policy analyst, water resource manager, climate change analyst, environmental educator, renewable energy analyst, environmental health and safety manager, and ecological researcher. These roles often require strong analytical skills, knowledge of environmental regulations, and proficiency with data analysis tools. Many positions also benefit from relevant certifications and field experience.

What does a lead scientist do?

A lead environmental scientist oversees environmental research projects, develops strategies to address environmental issues, and ensures compliance with regulations. They analyze data, lead teams, and communicate findings to stakeholders, often using tools like GIS and environmental modeling software. Strong leadership, technical expertise, and knowledge of environmental policies are essential for this role.

What is the highest paying job in environmental science?

The highest paying roles in environmental science are often senior positions such as Environmental Directors or Chief Environmental Officers, who oversee large teams and strategic initiatives. These roles typically require extensive experience, advanced degrees, and strong leadership skills, with salaries often exceeding $150,000 annually.

What jobs can environmental science lead to?

Environmental scientists, including lead environmental scientists, can advance to roles such as environmental managers, policy advisors, sustainability directors, or environmental consultants. They often work in government agencies, consulting firms, or private industries, utilizing skills in data analysis, environmental regulations, and project management.

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.

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 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:
Infographic showing various Lead Environmental Scientist job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,722 per year, or $54.2 per hour.
Lead Environmental Scientist

Lead Environmental Scientist

WSP

Durham, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

WSP rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 67 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 57 rated business consultants

Job description


This Opportunity
WSP is growing, and we have opportunity for a Lead Environmental Scientist to support our Charlotte, NC, Durham, NC, or Wilmington, NC locations. Provides leadership within a sector of organization to ensure environmental science subject matter, technical deliverables, and programs are delivered with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry and company standards. Responsible for SME innovation and administration; ensuring corporate compliance with all Local, State, and Federal environmental and safety regulations; and providing pragmatic direction to address current and future environmental science challenges in a rapidly-changing and complex business climate.
Your Impact
  • Provide proactive and strategic leadership for the scientific discipline and function, offering direction, expertise, and support to ensure project and work site deliverables are successfully achieved within the business sector.
  • Oversee the appropriate use of topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS units, and other maps and tools to ensure the exact locations of project areas, site impact, habitat types, and associated physical and wildlife sensitivities.
  • Lead larger-scale more complex environmental science projects ensuring contributors know what they are required to do and by when, preparing and overseeing relevant project budgets, monitoring external events, tracking hours and expenses, ensuring profitability and satisfactory performance, and supervising subcontractors, contract work, and employees.
  • Responsible for the contribution and management of multi-disciplinary project teams in all phases of the execution and delivery of siting and licensing for assigned business sector production projects, as well as natural resource planning and management projects.
  • Actively foster compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local environmental laws, policies, and regulatory requirements.
  • Support the overall long-term strategy, growth, and pipeline development of Environmental Science work for WSP in assigned area of responsibility, with a focus on opportunities in all disciplines (planning, design, strategic consulting, and program management).
  • Lead technical aspects of contract negotiation, presentations, and meetings.
  • Assist with the preparation of an annual update to business tactical action plans within the specified area.
  • Ensure that scientific discipline certifications, accreditations, and value proposition is developed and continuously improved.
  • Conduct needs analyses and client value surveys to align the scientific discipline's function with business and project strategy, identifying and addressing any skill gaps or risks within the sector business operations.
  • Schedule scientific discipline meetings, providing updates and recommendations to ensure that all reasonable and proper measures are taken to inculcate discipline expertise and innovation into project work.
  • Serve as one of the scientific discipline's lead representatives/liaison to a variety of external entities including Federal, State, and Local Agencies, Clients, Subcontractors, industry-related groups, and various government and community entities.
  • Develop and inform proposal and project scopes, timelines, pricing, and budgetary metrics.
  • Interpret and summarize data, including reports and documents that result in sound scientific and regulatory conclusions to minimize impacts to the health of the environment and the population.
  • Develop a client base for providing high level Environmental Science services including identifying additional business development opportunities, and cross-selling of other WSP capabilities.
  • Manage and provide performance guidance and leadership to assigned staff.
  • Remain current in latest environmental science techniques and practices.
  • Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide "trusted advisor" service and future ready solutions for clients.
  • Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
  • Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related life sciences field.
  • 7-10+ years of Environmental Science experience in a corporate environment.
  • Strong working knowledge of relevant environmental laws, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements, and the business impact upon the organization.
  • Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.
  • Tactical lateral thinking and strong analytical skills with attention to detail and prioritization of responsibilities in a pressure work environment.
  • Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior management, clients, and company-wide staff, including those with whom no formal hierarchical relationship exits.
  • Advanced proficiency with office automation and communication software, technology, and tools used in the corporate environment.
  • Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
  • Strong ability to quickly adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to a variety of schedules and hours to meet business needs.
  • Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements
    Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's Degree is preferred.
  • Essential professional licensure/certification.
  • Experience in managing the review of documents and preparation of discipline-specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi-project environment is highly desirable.

About Us
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation - no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

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