Natural Resources Program Principal 2026

State of Wyoming; Sheridan (WY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Wyoming seeks a dedicated professional to support the Land Quality Division’s coal permitting and compliance efforts from Sheridan. You will coordinate with the Wyoming Mining Association, assist the D3 office, and help manage permitting actions and new mine permits in a role that blends office leadership with field responsibilities.

The position emphasizes strong analytical capabilities, regulatory knowledge, and effective communication to support public and inter-agency

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in the sciences required, plus 1–3 years of progressive experience in the same.
• Alternatively, 4–6 years of progressive work experience with knowledge at the level of a Natural Resources Analyst.
• Knowledge of permitting, regulating, and enforcing environmental law.
• Ability to analyze mining-related environmental issues and reclamation procedures.
• Leadership skills and ability to prioritize workload, travel, and work in the field.
• Strong oral and written communication; proficiency with GIS data and mapping.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the main liaison with the Wyoming Mining Association for WMA/LQD Coal Work Group meetings.
• Assist the District III office with management of coal permitting actions.
• Act as the assistant district contact for coal permitting actions and coordinate new small mine permits.
• Perform as acting D3 supervisor when absent.
• Coordinate with state and federal agencies on surface water hydrology for permitting and NEPA.
• Conduct technical reviews of documents, reports, and data.
• Conduct inspections of mining operations and write inspection reports.
• Prepare enforcement actions and settlements when appropriate.
• Represent LQD in public meetings and resolve permitting issues.

Skills

Permitting & enforcement

Leadership

GIS & mapping

Oral & written communication

Field travel

Education

Bachelor's Degree (sciences)

1–3 years experience in same

Education substitution: 4–6 years experience

Tools

GIS software

Word processing

Databases

Spreadsheets

Job description

Description and Functions

Open Until Filled

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Assists LQD’s statewide coal permitting and compliance efforts by being Land Quality Division’s (LQD) main contact with the Wyoming Mining Association (WMA) related to scheduling and setting the agenda for WMA/LQD Coal Work Group meetings. Serves as management support for the LQD District III (D3) office (Sheridan, Wyoming) as the access consent and trespass coordinator; and D3 new small mine permit coordinator. Assists the LQD District 3 supervisor with management of coal permitting actions coordinated in the LQD D3 office by being the assistant district contact for all coal permitting actions and with general management of personnel, assigned duties and backfill for the D3 supervisor when they are absent.

Nestled in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains, Sheridan offers an exceptional quality of life with easy access to outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, skiing, snowmobiling, and golfing. The community combines a charming historic downtown—complete with local shops, art galleries, and restaurants—with a welcoming small-town feel and modern amenities. Additionally, Wyoming features a favorable tax environment with no state income tax.

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
• Retirement - Pension and 457(b) plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities

and MUCH MORE! Click here for detailed information, or you can watch this short video to learn about our benefits package!

Want to see the full value of your compensation beyond salary? Explore our Total Compensation Calculator: compensationcalculator.wyo.gov

Human Resource Contact: DEQ HR [e-mail]

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed in the job level.

• Is the LQD statewide coal permitting and compliance contact with the WMA related to scheduling and setting the agenda for WMA/LQD Coal Work Group meetings.
• Serves as management support for the Land Quality Division (LQD) District III (Sheridan, Wyoming) as the access consent and trespass coordinator; and new small mine permit coordinator.
• Assist the LQD District 3 supervisor with management of coal permitting actions coordinated in the LQD D3 office by being the assistant district contact for all coal permitting actions.
• Perform as the acting LQD D3 supervisor as assigned when the supervisor is absent.
• Serve as permit coordinator for one or more coal and non-coal mining operations and complete additional duties as assigned by District Supervisor.
• Participate in the development of guidance documents and regulations focusing on non-coal mining related activities.
• Coordinate efforts with other state and federal agencies on surface water hydrology related issues for coal and non-coal permitting actions and NEPA procedures.
• Perform and coordinate interdisciplinary technical reviews for complex permitting actions.
• Recommend approval of complex permits and reclamation performance bond estimates and assist in regulating district exploration and delineation drilling programs.
• Conduct technical review of documents, reports and data to ensure they are in accordance with agency policies, rules and regulations; and state statutes.
• Conduct inspections of various mining operations to determine compliance and write detailed inspection reports.
• Write appropriate and necessary enforcement actions (Conference and Conciliation, Notice of Violation, Order, etc.) in a complete and timely fashion; this may include the development of a Settlement Agreement when appropriate.
• Represent LQD in public meetings and provides appropriate recommendations for resolving permitting and enforcement related issues.
• Confer with public officials, government agencies, representatives of private industry and their consultants in the resolution of permitting issues relevant to the LQD program.
• Respond to and resolve, within delegated authority, concerns raised by the public and other government agencies.

Qualifications

PREFERENCES:

Bachelor’s Degree required with a preference in engineering, mining, geology, soils, hydrology, vegetation, wildlife and/or environmental regulation PLUS 1-3 years of progressive work experience in the same.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Understanding of permitting, regulating, and enforcing environmental law, and an understanding of the practices of mining operations and reclamation procedures.
• Skill in application of scientific principles to effectively analyze problems and/or situations involving activities that may threaten the environment due to mining related activities.
• Possess leadership skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload, resolve conflicts, solve complex problems, travel and work in the field.
• Skill in the use of personal computer for word processing, database and spreadsheet applications, query and mapping from GIS databases.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Ability to communicate, work cooperatively with staff and regulated community, prioritize workload, resolve conflicts, solve complex problems, travel and work in the field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelor's Degree (typically in The Sciences)

Experience:

1-2 years of progressive work experience (typically in The Sciences) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Natural Resources Analyst

OR

Education & Experience Substitution:

4-6 years of progressive work experience (typically in The Sciences) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Natural Resources Analyst

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

None

Necessary Special Requirements

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

Some field site visits are necessary and the candidate must be capable of site inspections that may include hiking over rough terrain.

NOTES:

• FLSA: Exempt
• The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality may use a video interview as a mandatory first step of our process. If chosen for a video interview you will receive an email with all the necessary information to complete the process.

Supplemental Information

Click here to view the State of Wyoming Total Compensation Calculator.

Click here to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.

URL: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/wyoming/default.cfm

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.