Principal Environmental Project Manager

SWCA, Incorporated; Little Rock (AR); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Environmental Project Manager to expand our Arkansas presence, strengthen relationships with local businesses and communities, and create growth opportunities across the company.

This role leads significant natural resources projects, mentors teams, and guides field studies from planning to completion, with a focus on ESA, CWA, NEPA and related regulations. Applicants must reside in Arkansas and be prepared for a distributed work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, biology, environmental science or related field.
• 10+ years of environmental consulting experience with leadership and BD track record.
• 5+ years managing complex, multidisciplinary projects with budgets and timelines.
• Strong knowledge of ESA, CWA, NEPA and related laws.
• Hands-on fieldwork, permitting strategies, and on-ground project implementation.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage client relationships, leading business development efforts with new and existing clients.
• Expand SWCA’s presence by networking with agencies and industry organizations to grow the client base in environmental planning and natural resources.
• Identify and assess sales opportunities, oversee proposal development, and advise leadership.
• Lead natural resource projects from initiation through completion and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Monitor team utilization and balance workloads to maintain efficiency.
• Oversee technical execution and financial performance of projects and coordinate with regulators.
• Manage project scope, schedule and budget to prevent overruns and ensure quality.
• Provide technical oversight and prepare biological resources reports, NEPA documentation, and related deliverables.
• Drive safety policy compliance and reporting to ensure team safety.

Skills

Project leadership

Business development

Client relationship management

Team mentoring

Regulatory understanding

Proposal development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management

Bachelor’s degree in Biology or Environmental Science

Job description

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Environmental Project Manager to help expand our presence in Arkansas, strengthen relationships with local businesses and communities, and create new opportunities for growth across the company.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced environmental professional who wants to take ownership, shape strategy, and make a meaningful impact. You will join a full service consulting team with diverse projects, a strong culture, and the autonomy to grow client relationships, develop new business, and advance your career.

As a Principal Project Manager, you will lead significant natural resources projects, manage multidisciplinary teams, cultivate trusted client relationships, and guide biological field studies from planning through completion. You will also mentor emerging professionals and pursue business opportunities that align with your expertise and vision. You will support clients navigating complex environmental requirements associated with the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and other federal, state, and local regulations. Our diverse portfolio includes electrical transmission, oil and gas, infrastructure, land development, water resources, and government agencies.

This is a full time, salaried position offering a comprehensive benefits package and a distributed work arrangement for candidates located in Arkansas. Applicants must currently reside in Arkansas to be considered.

Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed immediately, and qualified candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until we have identified a strong pool of qualified candidates and may close without prior notice.

What you will accomplish

• Develop and manage client relationships, leading business development efforts with both new and existing clients.
• Expand SWCA’s presence by networking with agencies and industry organizations to grow the state and regional client base in environmental planning, permitting, and natural resource services.
• Identify and assess sales opportunities, oversee proposal development, and provide strategic recommendations to leadership overseeing Arlington operations.
• Lead and manage natural resource projects, ensuring successful execution from initiation to completion.
• Monitor team utilization and balance workloads to maintain efficiency and productivity.
• Oversee the technical execution and financial performance of natural resource projects, ensuring effective coordination with clients and regulatory agencies.
• Proactively manage project scope, schedule, and budget to prevent cost overruns and ensure deliverables meet quality standards.
• Provide technical oversight and prepare reports, including biological resources reports, biological assessments, wetland reports, National Environmental Policy Act documentation, and other natural resources project deliverables related to the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and other regulatory, permitting, and compliance requirements.
• Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.

Experience and qualifications for success

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Fish & Wildlife Science, Archaeology, or a closely related discipline.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental consulting, with a strong track record in project leadership and business development.
• Minimum of five (5) years managing complex projects, including oversight of budgets, timelines, deliverables, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of state-specific environmental regulations and permitting processes.
• Comprehensive knowledge of key environmental regulations, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and related federal, state, and local laws.
• Hands-on experience conducting environmental fieldwork, coordinating permitting strategies, and executing on-the-ground project implementation.
• Proven success as a "seller/doer", with the ability to build client relationships, secure project opportunities, and deliver high-quality consulting services.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Twelve (12) years or more of progressively responsible experience in environmental consulting, with a strong track record in project leadership and business development.
• Strong background in project management of electrical transmission projects.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at [e-mail] or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Arkansas based position can expect an annual salary of $110,292/year to $145,236/year. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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