Natural Resources Team Lead

SWCA, Incorporated; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA is seeking a Natural Resources Team Lead to guide the Minnesota/Dakotas program from Minneapolis, MN, or Bismarck, ND. The role oversees staff, projects, budgets, and client relations, with a focus on growth and mentorship.

The position requires at least six years in natural resources and three years in project management, with strong communication and regulatory knowledge. Remote-friendly with occasional travel to local offices as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, or related field.
• Six years of progressively responsible experience in natural resources or environmental science.
• Three years of project management including budgets, schedules, and scopes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Upper Plains Natural Resources Program and regional strategy.
• Manage staff, projects, budgets, and client relationships.
• Drive business growth and proposal development with the Office Director.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and quality across projects.
• Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and staff development.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, or related field

Job description

About the opportunity

SWCA is currently seeking applications for a Natural Resources Team Lead, supporting our operations throughout Minnesota and the Dakotas. The Natural Resources Team Lead is responsible for providing leadership within the Minnesota/Dakotas Natural Resources Program by managing staff, projects, and clients. The successful candidate will possess a proven track record of developing new business, managing complex projects, meeting financial goals, and mentoring others to do the same.

The Natural Resources Team Lead will report to the Office Director out of SWCA’s Minneapolis, MN office. The offices in Bismarck, ND and Minneapolis, MN offer a collaborative and supportive work environment, and specialize in natural and cultural resource management, environmental planning, permitting, and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will have a depth of experience and familiarity with the business environment of Minnesota and the Dakotas. This is a full-time, regular (with benefits), salaried position based out of Minneapolis, MN or Bismarck, ND. Individuals living in Minnesota are preferred. Remote (= distributed) employees in the Upper Plains/Midwest geography are encouraged to apply. If remote, occasional travel to the local offices would be expected.

This job opening can hire at two levels:

• Senior Natural Resources Team Lead: minimum eight (8) years of experience and expertise.
• Natural Resources Team Lead: minimum six (6) years of experience and expertise.

Application Deadline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

What you will accomplish

• Team Leadership: Manages team operations to enhance efficiency and productivity, identifying and implementing process improvements. Attracts, recruits, develops, and retains top talent, focusing on staff development and mentoring. Tracks and manages workload distribution and productivity, making staffing adjustments in collaboration with other leads. Ensures accountability and clearly communicates the team's vision and priorities.
• Strategic Project Leadership: Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.
• Organizational Expertise: Supports innovation of standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go-to technical expert and consultant, providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.
• Project Accountability: Continuously guides projects, executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCA’s values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem-solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.
• Business Growth & Innovation: Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCA's technical reputation. Contributes to SWCA's strategic planning.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Champions cross-disciplinary collaboration, working closely with specialists to provide comprehensive technical support for projects.
• Relationship Management: Establishes and grows effective consultative relationships with external and internal clients and/or agency regulators and industry partners (if applicable) to support successful projects.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership

• Lead the Upper Plains Natural Resources Program and support execution of a forward-looking regional strategy.
• Partner with the Office Director to recruit and hire Natural Resources staff.
• Provide team support related to technical resources, training opportunities, and regulatory updates.
• Promote compliance with safety policies and reporting requirements.

Client & Business Leadership

• Evaluate regional market conditions and identify strategic growth opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
• Lead go/no-go decisions and support efficient proposal and marketing pursuits in coordination with the Office Director.
• Foster a sell-doer culture through mentorship, accountability, and participation in business development initiatives.
• Build relationships with industry organizations, agency representatives, and key stakeholders to expand SWCA's presence across the Upper Plains.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor’s (B.A. or B.S.) degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, or related field.
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in the natural resources/environmental science field, including at least four (4) years in environmental consulting.
• Three (3) years of natural resources (or related) project management experience, including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work from pre-field tasks to final report preparation.
• Previous experience with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations in the greater Upper Plains/Midwest area.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• An ability to take ownership of responsibilities and provide potential solutions to problems encountered on the job.
• Ability to pass a motor vehicle screening.
• Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.

Preferred qualifications:

• Eight (8) or more years of progressively responsible experience in the natural resources field, including six (6) years in environmental consulting.
• Demonstrated experience in supervising, mentoring, and providing leadership for other professionals.
• Demonstrated business development success and consulting acumen, including established credibility with federal and state agencies and clients, as well as success in proposal writing.