Principal Environmental Manager

UES; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

UES in Riverside, CA is seeking an Environmental Department Manager to lead environmental projects, supervise staff, and ensure quality delivery across ESAs and client relations.

The role blends office duties—planning, reporting, cost estimation—with field work, travel up to 20%, and business development focus.

Candidates should have 10+ years in environmental engineering/consulting, with PE or PG preferred and strong regulatory knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Geologist (PG) license preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in environmental engineering or consulting.
• HAZWOPER 40-hour certification, AHERA certification, and annual refreshers.
• Valid driver’s license with clean record.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret technical documents and comply with regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate project work, identifying resource needs and assigning responsibilities.
• Serve as primary client contact for project scheduling, issue resolution, and invoicing.
• Supervise a team of environmental professionals, specialists, and technicians conducting ESAs (Phase I-III).
• Build and maintain strong client relationships; support networking and outreach.
• Recruit, train, and mentor departmental personnel.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Regulatory compliance

Microsoft Office

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Geologist (PG) license preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Overview

At UES, we’re a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

Position Overview

The Environmental Department Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing environmental projects and managing the Environmental Services department. This includes supervising staff, ensuring quality project delivery, client relationship management, and contributing to business development efforts.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate project work, identifying resource needs and assigning responsibilities.
• Serve as primary client contact for project scheduling, issue resolution, and invoicing.
• Supervise a team of environmental professionals, specialists, and technicians conducting Phase I, II, and III Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs).
• Build and maintain strong client relationships; support organizational networking and outreach.
• Recruit, train, and mentor departmental personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations and implement disciplinary actions as needed.
• Promote and facilitate employee training and professional development.
• Identify opportunities for new business and additional project work.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates and detailed proposals.
• Secure signed client agreements before project initiation.
• Assist in scoping project work and gathering initial client data.
• Review and edit technical reports prepared by staff; prepare reports when directly involved in fieldwork or research.
• Typically spend approximately 80% of the time in the office (report writing/data analysis) and 20% in the field (sampling/research).
• Submit accurate paperwork and documentation in a timely manner.
• Monitor departmental expenses and interface with Accounting for financial oversight.
• Collaborate with other departments and regional offices to provide technical support.
• Ensure strict adherence to company and regulatory safety procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, or related scientific field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Geologist (PG) license preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in environmental engineering or consulting.
• HAZWOPER 40‑hour certification, AHERA certification, and applicable annual refreshers required.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to interpret technical documents and comply with regulatory standards.

Travel Requirements

• This position requires travel as needed, approximated 0‑20% of the time, in support of business objectives and client engagements. Travel may be both scheduled and on short notice, depending on client and project needs. Destinations typically include job sites, field locations, or regional offices, where work may be conducted in outdoor or operational environments. Adherence to all company safety protocols and use of PPE is required during travel and on‑site work.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions such as precipitation, extreme cold or heat, dusty and noisy work environments.
• Office work requiring long‑term sitting and computer work.
• Physical requirements may include frequent lifting and moving of equipment, including up to 60 lbs for soil and sand samples and occasional lifting of more than 100 lbs for loaded wheelbarrow of concrete samples. Ability to lift and/or carry up to 40 lbs, stand and walk for long periods, drive long distances, use fingers, hands, and arms for typing and phone use, bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, lift, carry, push repetitively, speak and hear effectively in noisy environments, see, smell, hear and touch, balance, and crawl as necessary.

EEO Statement

UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page.

Posted Salary Range

USD $150,000.00 - USD $200,000.00 /Yr.