Principal Environmental Consultant

Ekiconsult; Irvine, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

EKI Environment & Water, Inc. seeks a Principal Environmental Consultant to drive Southern California business growth while leading complex assessment and remediation projects.

The role oversees regulatory compliance, client engagement, and technical excellence across teams in a fast-paced environment. You will mentor staff, collaborate with regulatory agencies, and contribute to strategic initiatives, with a strong emphasis on safety and professional development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Geology, Hydrogeology or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience as an engineer, geologist, or hydrogeologist for environmental projects.
• Excellent client management and long-term relationship skills.
• Proven project management experience with multidisciplinary teams and budgets.
• Strong knowledge of environmental regulations at all levels.
• California PE or Geologist license preferred.
• Ability to lead multiple teams with strong communication and time management.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies for business development in Southern California and target revenues.
• Lead environmental projects from inception to completion with quality and compliance.
• Provide technical oversight, mentorship, and guidance to project teams.
• Participate in professional groups, conferences, and publish technical work as needed.
• Support recruiting, training, and growth for the Southern California operation.
• Ensure safety standards compliance and alignment with billing goals.

Skills

Client management

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Business development

Leadership

Mentorship

Time management

Communication

CA PE license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Environmental Eng

Master's degree preferred

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Professional Irvine, CA, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 1022

Salary Range: $175,000.00 To $225,000.00 Annually

COMPANY OVERVIEW

EKI Environment & Water, Inc. (EKI) is an employee-owned, engineering, environmental, and water resources consulting firm serving private- and public-sector clients throughout the United States. If you are interested in improving the environment and advancing your career, then EKI is the place for you.

ROLE

The Principal Environmental Consultant position reports to the Regional Director, ESG and is responsible for driving business growth throughout Southern California while leading complex environmental assessment and remediation projects. The role provides strategic leadership for key client initiatives, promotes technical excellence and risk stewardship, and develops and strengthens client and business relationships. This position requires strategic oversight of environmental due diligence, investigation, and remediation projects and close collaboration with regulatory agencies, clients, and internal teams to develop practical solutions to complex business and environmental challenges.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Develop and implement strategies for business development in Southern California, including client engagement, proposal preparation, market analysis and cross-selling initiatives with a goal of sourcing significant revenues of $400,000 in year 1 and growing to >$1MM within 3 years
• Lead and manage environmental projects from inception through completion, ensuring quality, technical excellence, and regulatory compliance
• Provide expertise, technical guidance, oversight, and mentorship to project teams on environmental projects, fostering professional growth and technical excellence
• Provide leadership and support EKI's presence in professional groups, forums and associations, including presenting at conferences, publishing technical papers, or leading or participating in professional or industry associations as a technical committee member
• Help develop and sustain a high performing team through recruiting, professional development, and training initiatives, while contributing to the continued growth and expansion of EKI in Southern California
• Ensure compliance with safety standards for Southern California
• Support finance and accounting to ensure compliance with billing and collection goals for Southern California
• Other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Geology, Hydrogeology or a related field; Master’s degree or higher preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 10 (ten) or more years of experience as an engineer, geologist, or hydrogeologist for environmental investigation and remediation projects
• Excellent client management skills with a proven ability to maintain long-term client relationships
• Proven track record in project management, including leading multidisciplinary teams and managing budgets and schedules
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated experience in business development within the environmental consulting industry
• Professional Engineer or Geologist license in the State of California preferred
• Must be able to review and edit technical reports to meet scope and quality objectives, as well as client expectations
• Must have effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with clients, subconsultants, regulatory agencies, and members of the public
• Must have ability to lead multiple project teams
• Must have demonstrated time management skills, strong work ethic and attention to detail
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to personal and professional growth, including the mentorship of others
• Must have a current valid driver’s license

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with high-volume workload and frequent short deadlines
• Must have the ability to obtain medical clearance to work on hazardous waste site(s)
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs
• Must be able to work remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
• Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information
• Must be able to assess the accuracy, quality and thoroughness of the work assigned

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to travel occasionally, possibly overnight for customer meetings and site visits up to 20% of the time

COMPENSATION

• The expected base salary range for this position is $175,000 - $225,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the candidate's skills, experience, qualifications, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus based on individual and company performance.

As an employee-owned firm, EKI offers a unique company culture with a corporate commitment to maintaining a positive work/life experience. EKI provides excellent compensation and comprehensive benefits packages, including career advancement opportunities, outstanding training opportunities, incentive compensation including bonuses, retirement benefits through an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) and 401(k) profit-sharing contributions, and group medical, vision, and dental benefits.

EKI Environment & Water, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and is not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. This description may be amended at any time and employee may be assigned other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Notice to Third Party Agencies:

EKI Environment & Water, Inc does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and approved engagement request with EKI Environment & Water, Inc. reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.