Environmental Monitor (Field Based)

Environmental Resources Management (ERM); Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k)

Job summary

ERM is hiring an Environmental Monitor to oversee environmental compliance during the construction phase of a transmission and distribution project in southeastern Minnesota, between Mankato and Kellogg. This full-time, 24-month limited-term role begins in November 2026.

Responsibilities include field inspections, training construction personnel, ensuring permit compliance, coordinating with agency staff and contractors, and reporting daily observations.

Job description

ERM is hiring an Environmental Monitor to oversee environmental compliance during the construction phase of our client’s transmission and distribution project in southeastern, MN (Between Mankato and Kellogg, MN). This is a full-time (40+ hours per week) limited-term role for a duration of 24 months, with the possibility of extension beginning in November 2026.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and conducting environmental training for construction personnel.
• Conducting field inspections, conducting environmental inspection of construction activities, and field survey work as directed.
• Verifying that the limits of authorized construction work areas and locations of access roads are properly marked before clearing.
• Interacting with and serving as a point of contact with agency officials, regulatory agency staff, landowners, contractors, clients and other project members and conducting required agency notifications.
• Reviewing and implementing project documents and providing direction, support, and critical judgment on environmental compliance issues.
• Providing technical leadership, support, and direction to field staff. This includes the coordination of daily Environmental Inspector and Resource Monitor schedules and conducting morning construction meetings.
• Critically assessing environmental conditions in the field to evaluate potential environmental impacts from construction.
• Evaluating potential issues and concerns ahead of construction activities.
• Overseeing the proper implementation of mitigation measures.
• Conducting environmental sampling (hydrostatic test water, soil, etc.).
• Overseeing and verifying flagging and signage of waterbody and wetland boundaries, cultural and biological resources exclusion zones, refueling zones, or areas with special requirements within the construction work area.
• Inspecting and documenting compliance with a project's environmental requirements by preparing daily written inspection reports that provide up‑to‑date and consistent written and photo documentation of activities observed in the field.
• Identifying, documenting, and overseeing corrective actions as needed to bring an activity back into compliance.
• Have a thorough understanding of issues of concern which include, but are not limited to, erosion control, stormwater management, hazardous materials management, soil compaction and soil mixing, and invasive species control as these issues relate to natural resources, habitat management, agricultural land use, and residential and developed areas.
• Participating in various construction meetings.
• Preparing documentation to support requests for variances from environmental permits.
• Evaluating restoration activities and conducting compaction testing as required.
• Compliance with ERM’s rigorous safety program.
• Performing additional tasks as assigned or required.

Requirements

• The role of an Environmental Inspector requires meticulous oversight by highly skilled individuals stationed in the field throughout construction to ensure compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations.
• Qualifications of individuals to be considered will include: BS or BA degree preferred, equivalent environmental inspection or monitoring experience, or a minimum of 10 years of relevant construction experience.
• 5+ years of environmental inspection, monitoring, or permitting experience specific to linear and/or other energy infrastructure projects.
• Minnesota IEM experience required, local candidates strongly preferred.
• Construction Site Manager certification from the University of Minneapolis a plus.
• Electric Transmission or linear project experience required.
• An understanding of construction (e.g., pipelines, power lines, compressor/pumping stations, gas storage fields, wind farms, solar facilities, offshore facilities) gained through field experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficient technical skills, including, but not limited to, experience using Microsoft Office programs and digital cameras.
• Working knowledge of sub-meter accuracy GPS technologies and map interpretation skills (e.g., NWI, USGS, aerial photography), as well as Field Maps and Survey123 applications Knowledge of environmental sampling methods.
• The ability to travel extensively in a physically demanding position.
• Be physically fit and able to: Walk/hike for up to 10 hours per day on possible uneven, steep, challenging terrain.
• Be able to carry up to 10 pounds of equipment while walking/hiking.
• Work in all weather conditions.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and the ability to operate a vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area in remote locations.
• For the Environmental Monitor position, the anticipated annual base pay is $79,500-$93,600 USD.
• Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs.
• In some cases, pay may fall outside this range.
• This role may be eligible for bonus pay subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays), parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k), and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Who We Are

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM! At ERM, sustainability is our business. We are the world’s largest advisory firm focused solely on sustainability, offering unparalleled expertise across business and finance. ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, through our unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. Our diverse global team of experts works with the world’s leading organizations to help them set clear sustainability targets, measure progress and operationalize strategy through deep implementation and business transformation. With more than 50 years of experience, our ability to integrate sustainability solutions and our depth and breadth of technical knowledge are why organizations choose to partner with us as their trusted advisor. Every one of us firmly believes in the potential to create value for our clients through an integrated approach to sustainability (because we have personally seen it and professionally achieved it). Our team members are passionate about client service. We work closely with our clients to help them operationalize their sustainability goals and meet their environmental, health and safety objectives while advancing ERM’s purpose through delivering tangible progress in what the United Nations coined The Decade of Action. Organizing our people across globally integrated communities of technical and strategic talent positions ERM to be a “boots to boardroom” leader in bringing that value creation to our clients, partners, and the world. We recruit exceptional professionals with a personal and professional passion for sustainability and nurture them to even greater success as specialists. We prepare our consultants to bring integrated, innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients and provide opportunities for ongoing development across a variety of subject areas related to technical, business, and personal growth. At ERM, effort pays off and becomes career defining work that leaves a positive imprint on our planet.