Principal Environmental Scientist (Natural Resources)

Project Resource Collective LLC; San Diego (CA); Remote; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Project Resource Collective LLC in Southern California leads the Principal Scientist role focused on environmental compliance, regulatory certainty, and client trust. The position is primarily remote with a preference for a California base, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of biologists, planners, GIS specialists, and engineers.

You will manage complex projects, mentor staff, drive proposals, and coordinate with regulators such as USACE, USFWS, and RWQCB, while maintaining safety and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, urban planning, environmental science, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex environmental compliance projects from planning through execution.
• Collaborate with clients, experts, and planners to provide regulatory guidance.
• Coordinate with internal SMEs and external partners and lead agencies.
• Oversee proposals, cost estimating, and interview execution.
• QA/QC oversight of high-volume programs and projects.
• Manage project staffing, budget, and schedule.
• Mentor staff and foster technical excellence and growth.
• Support business development and strategic growth with other Principals.
• Maintain safety, confidentiality, and company policies.
• Stay current on industry trends and regulations via professional development.
• Work with core Principal team and independently as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Senior regulatory liaison

Regulatory leadership

Multidisciplinary team leadership

Proposal leadership

Mentoring staff

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, urban planning, environmental science, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ArcGIS

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

Our Principal Scientist position can be performed remotely; however, the ideal candidate will be based in Southern California and bring strong California-specific regulatory and environmental expertise.

As a key member of the leadership team, this role will be responsible for a wide range of activities including:

• Leading complex environmental compliance projects from planning strategy through execution.
• Working closely with clients and technical expert team and planners to solve problems and provide regulatory insight and risk-based guidance.
• Collaborating with internal subject matter experts (biologists, archaeologists, GIS specialists, planners, regulatory specialists, and engineers) and external technical partners, protection agencies, and state or federal lead agencies.
• Overseeing proposals and business development activities, including leading proposals, cost estimating, and interview execution.
• QA/QC oversight of high-volume programs/projects.
• Project staffing, budget and schedule management
• Mentoring and developing staff, fostering technical excellence and professional growth.
• Supporting business development and strategic growth initiatives alongside other Principals.
• Maintaining compliance with all safety, confidentiality, and company policies.
• Staying current on industry trends, regulations, and best practices through continuous professional development.
• Working collaboratively with the core Principal team and working independently.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

YOUR EXPERTISE AND SKILLS

The Principal Scientist is a recognized technical authority and strategic leader, responsible for regulatory certainty, project success, and long-term client trust.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, urban planning, environmental science, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience (12 years with a Master's degree).
• Experience with utilities and/or renewable energy projects strongly preferred.
• Experience serving as senior regulatory liaison with permitting agencies preferred.
• Knowledge of current environmental compliance and city/state development regulations.
• Strong familiarity with California natural resources and impact analyses/assessments.
• Experience leading the regulatory permitting process, including experience working with the USACE, USFWS, BLM, USFS, CDFW, and RWQCB.
• Proven ability to operate independently while leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience as a people manager providing mentorship to elevate the skillsets of staff and provide career growth opportunities.
• Proven success leading proposals and competitive pursuits.
• Excellent written communication skills, ability to write and oversee complex technical documents, memorandum, or reports.
• Experience leading projects/programs and working in dynamic, collaborative environments that require flexibility in assuming new roles and changing project directions.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office; working knowledge of tools such as ArcGIS and AutoCAD preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally as needed.