Natural Resources Program Principal 2026-02289

State of Wyoming; Sheridan (WY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Wyoming's Land Quality Division seeks a dedicated professional to support statewide coal permitting and compliance efforts. You will coordinate with the Wyoming Mining Association, manage D3 office duties, and coordinate access, trespass, and new mine permits in Sheridan.

Responsibilities include acting as the district contact for coal permitting, performing technical reviews, and representing LQD in public meetings. A science background and field travel are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in sciences or related field.
• 1-2 years of progressive work experience in the sciences.
• Preference for engineering/mining/geology/hydrology backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Serve as LQD's contact with WMA for scheduling Coal Work Group meetings.
• Assist District III supervisor with coal permitting actions.
• Act as assistant district contact for coal permitting actions.
• Coordinate with state and federal agencies on surface water hydrology issues.
• Conduct technical reviews of documents and data for compliance.
• Prepare enforcement actions and settlements when appropriate.
• Represent LQD in public meetings and resolve permitting issues.
• Respond to concerns from the public and other agencies.

Skills

Environmental regulation

Oral & written communication

GIS mapping

Leadership

Travel

Field work

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Science background

Tools

GIS software

Office suite

Job description

OpenUntilFilled

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!

Human Resource Contact: DEQ HR [e-mail]

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• 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.

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

Education: Bachelor's Degree (typically in The Sciences)

Experience

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

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.

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.