Environmental Department Leader

Verdantas; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Environment

Paid Parental Leave

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life and AD&D Insurance

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

401(k) with Company Match

Paid Time Off + Holidays

Job summary

Verdantas in Irvine, CA is seeking a Senior Environmental Dept. Leader to drive growth for the West region and oversee Southern California operations. This role blends technical leadership, strategy, and mentorship within our EAR and NREP practices.

You will mentor teams, manage client engagements, and shape policies to ensure high-quality project delivery while expanding Verdantas’ footprint in California.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Licensed Professional Geologist or Professional Engineer in California.
• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in environmental assessment and regulatory compliance.
• Proven track record in operational management and business development in the A/E industry.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex technical projects and provide expert advice on regulatory compliance and environmental assessments.
• Oversee daily operations of the Environmental Department in Southern California and West Area.
• Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Monitor and report on departmental performance metrics.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities in EAR, NREP, and Stormwater.
• Mentor junior staff and foster continuous learning.
• Represent Verdantas at industry conferences and client meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Strategic growth planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Engineering, or a related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Onsite

Irvine CA

Full time

R-100802

Welcome to Verdantas, where innovation meets sustainability, and your career finds purpose!

At Verdantas, we’re redefining environmental consulting and sustainable engineering through our use of cutting-edge modeling and digital technology and our genuine commitment to people. Our work spans high-growth sectors like water resources, resilient land use, energy transformation, and civil infrastructure.

Our commitment to excellence, across more than 90 offices, is championed by a team of over 2,000 experts, scientists, engineers, geologists, and technical specialists, embedded in a people-focused culture, prioritizing the well-being of our employees, clients, and the communities we serve. We partner with clients to deliver smart, data-driven solutions to complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. We don’t just solve problems; we help shape a more sustainable future.

Join a people-first culture that values your well-being, empowers your growth, and amplifies your impact. At Verdantas, your career goes beyond the expected, and your work helps build a better world.

Ready to shape the future of resilient communities?

We are seeking a dynamic, motivated Southern California Environmental Department Leader to oversee and drive robust growth in the West region.

Our Environmental Department is comprised of Environmental Assessment & Remediation (EAR) and Natural Resources & Environmental Planning (NREP) practices.

Our EAR Practice focuses on site assessment/remedial investigations and design, environmental regulatory compliance and support, feasibility studies, emerging contaminants, and property transaction due diligence for clients in industrial, power, water, and government end markets. Our NREP practice includes multidisciplinary teams with expertise in biological and ecological resources, wetlands, cultural resources, regulatory permitting and compliance, stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and related environmental services.

This role is a blend of operational leadership, creative thinking, business development/ strategic growth, and mentorship, requiring a visionary thinker with a strong technical background. This individual will enthusiastically take the reins and be proactively engaged across our multiple offices in Southern California. The Department Leader will be instrumental in growing our West region market through people development, sustainability, and client engagement. This position is hybrid and located in Southern California.

What You’ll Do:

Senior Technical Leadership (40%):

Lead complex technical projects and provide expert advice on regulatory compliance and environmental assessments

Support and develop technical teams providing cultural resource, biological surveys and monitoring, ecological restoration, wetlands surveys and restoration, environmental planning, and stormwater management services.

Stay current with industry/emerging trends, regulations, and best practices with communication to the team

Partner with the EAR and NREP Practice Leaders to ensure consistent project delivery standards, resource alignment, and operational efficiency across active projects

Operational Leadership (30%):

Oversee daily operations of the Environmental Department

Ensure high-quality project delivery

Develop and implement departmental policies, procedures, and best practices

Monitor and report on departmental performance metrics

Resource management between Southern California region along with the overall West Area of Verdantas.

Maintain strong knowledge of sales pipeline and hard backlog

Business Development (20%):

Identify and pursue new business opportunities in the EAR, NREP and Stormwater sectors

Educate and drive cross-selling opportunities on Verdantas’ diverse services (i.e. disciplines such as civil, geotechnical, and markets such as water/wastewater, solid waste, and energy)

Build and maintain relationships with clients, stakeholders, and industry partners

Lead proposal development and contract negotiations

Represent Verdantas at industry conferences, seminars, and networking events

Mentorship (10%):

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff and project teams

Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional development

What You’ll Bring:

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred)

Licensed Professional Geologist or Professional Engineer in CA

Minimum of 15 years of experience in environmental assessment and regulatory compliance

Proven track record in operational management and business development in the A/E industry

Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills

Ability to mentor and develop junior staff

In-depth knowledge of environmental regulations and industry standards

Ability to create, implement, and execute a strategic growth plan for all Southern California offices within the Environmental Department

Salary Range:

$210,000-$240,000

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Environment

• Paid Parental Leave

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Life and AD&D Insurance

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

• 401(k) with Company Match

• Paid Time Off + Holidays

Verdantas strives to develop new ways to increase diversity awareness within our organization. We recruit and reward our employees based on capability and performance — regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability. For us, it is imperative to build balanced teams from all walks of life and we believe that a diverse workforce is a stronger workforce.

Verdantas is an EOE race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet

Ready for what’s next?

Your future starts here.