Senior Consultant, Environmental Compliance Engineer or Scientist, Sustainable Operations

ERM; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off and leave options

Job summary

ERM seeks a Senior Consultant, Environmental Compliance Engineer or Scientist, Sustainable Operations, to support a diverse portfolio of local, national, and global clients from the San Francisco Bay Area. You will deliver environmental permitting, compliance programs, and audits, driving sustainable operational performance.

The role requires 3+ years in environmental compliance, strong regulatory knowledge (SPCC, SWPPP, NPDES, hazardous waste), and the ability to manage multiple projects with

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master degree in environmental studies or science, engineering (environmental, civil, mechanical or chemical).
• 3+ years of experience in environmental compliance, permitting, agency coordination, and facility operations ideally with consulting, refinery, O&G, manufacturing, technology, R&D, etc.
• Experience performing environmental compliance assessments and audits at industrial and commercial facilities and supporting project teams with follow-up corrective actions to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Working understanding of SPCC, IGP stormwater, wastewater, and hazardous waste regulations including hazardous waste tank integrity assessments in accordance with 22 CCR 66265.
• Ability to support implementation of California environmental regulatory programs and compliance requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of technical reports, standards, and presentations for client meetings and other events.
• Ability to travel within the San Francisco Bay Area (i.e., San Jose, Livermore) based on business needs with occasional travel outside the local region.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.

Responsibilities

• Deliver environmental permitting and compliance support for industrial and commercial clients.
• Support hazardous waste, wastewater, SPCC, NPDES, and stormwater programs.
• Conduct audits, assessments, and compliance reviews.
• Collaborate effectively with ERM project managers, technical teams, and clients.
• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality technical work products.
• Help identify practical, sustainable compliance solutions that meet client needs.

Skills

Technical writing

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science/Engineering

Tools

SPCC knowledge

SWPPP knowledge

California permit regulations

Job description

Advance Sustainable Operations Across Northern California and Beyond ERM is seeking a Senior Consultant, Environmental Compliance Engineer or Scientist, Sustainable Operations, to join our technical team in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. In this role, you will support a diverse portfolio of local, national, and global clients by delivering environmental compliance, permitting, and sustainability solutions. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside industry-leading experts on complex environmental challenges while helping organizations achieve and maintain compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.

Why This Role Matters?

As a Senior Consultant, you will play a key role in supporting environmental compliance programs and permitting efforts for industrial and commercial clients throughout Northern California and beyond. Your expertise will help clients navigate complex regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and advance sustainable operational performance.

What Your Impact Is:

Provide technical expertise, oversight, and quality control on environmental permitting and compliance projects and related activities in support of ERM clients’ projects and facilities. Under the guidance of senior staff and project managers, develop plans, permits, and reports for hazardous waste, SPCC, storm water, NPDES, and wastewater programs. Conduct regulatory and/or management system audits or assessments. Serve as an active project team member while maintaining client scope, budget, and schedule expectations. Maintain ERM’s high standards for quality and technical excellence across project deliverables. Build strong collaborative relationships with clients and ERM colleagues. Provide general environmental compliance support to clients, including onsite services, as needed.

What You’ll Bring:

Required Bachelor or Master degree in environmental studies or science, engineering (environmental, civil, mechanical or chemical), chemistry, or a related field. 3+ years of experience in environmental compliance, permitting, agency coordination, and facility operations ideally with consulting, refinery, O&G, manufacturing, technology, R&D, etc. Experience performing environmental compliance assessments and audits at industrial and commercial facilities and supporting project teams with follow-up corrective actions to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Working understanding of SPCC, IGP stormwater, wastewater, and hazardous waste regulations including hazardous waste tank integrity assessments in accordance with 22 CCR 66265. Ability to support implementation of California environmental regulatory programs and compliance requirements. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of technical reports, standards, and presentations for client meetings and other events. Ability to travel within the San Francisco Bay Area (i.e., San Jose, Livermore) based on business needs with occasional travel outside the local region. Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred Certification:

Engineer-In-Training (EIT), Professional Engineer License (PE), CHMM, or similar California registration desired. Qualified Industrial Stormwater Practitioner (QISP)Qualified Stormwater Developer (QSD) or Qualified Stormwater Practitioner (QSP) certification, or the ability to obtain certification quickly.

Working understanding of the 2022 California Construction General Permit requirements, including: Conducting site inspections and audits. Preparing and reviewing SWPPPs. Identifying and implementing BMPs. Familiarity with SMARTS.

Working understanding of California Industrial General Permit requirements, including: Conducting site inspections and audits. Preparing SWPPPs, site maps, ERAs, and Technical Reports. Familiarity with SMARTS.

Key Responsibilities:

Deliver environmental permitting and compliance support for industrial and commercial clients. Support hazardous waste, wastewater, SPCC, NPDES, and stormwater programs. Conduct audits, assessments, and compliance reviews. Collaborate effectively with ERM project managers, technical teams, and clients. Ensure timely delivery of high-quality technical work products. Help identify practical, sustainable compliance solutions that meet client needs.

For the Senior Consultant, Environmental Compliance Engineer or Scientist, Sustainable Operations position, the anticipated annual base pay is $79,200–$102,400 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays), parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k), and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking