Senior Permitting Specialist

GSI Environmental Inc.; Missoula, Lakewood (MT, CO); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ownership in employee-owned company

Competitive salary with year-end bonus

Flexible work environment with remote-

Conference participation and technical

Collaborative atmosphere

Job summary

GSI Environmental Inc. is seeking a Senior Permitting Specialist to advance permitting for mining and natural resource projects across the Western U.S. You will prepare regulatory documents, coordinate with federal and state agencies, and develop strategies to move projects from exploration through closure.

The role requires a strong background in NEPA, regulatory compliance, and environmental permitting, with experience leading multidisciplinary teams and frequent travel for project site work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental science, geology, engineering, natural resources, planning, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant environmental permitting or environmental consulting experience, mining-sector preferred.
• Experience leading or supporting permitting for hard rock mining or large natural resource projects.
• Strong NEPA knowledge with experience interacting with federal and state agencies.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support permitting strategies for new mines, expansions, and exploration programs.
• Manage and prepare permit applications, Plans of Operations, environmental assessments, and related documents.
• Coordinate with agencies such as USFS, BLM, and USACE on regulatory processes.
• Support state and local mine permitting, reclamation, water quality, air quality, and land-use approvals.
• Develop permitting schedules, budgets, and scopes of work; track comments and permit conditions.
• Mentor junior staff and collaborate across offices.

Skills

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Verbal and written communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Missoula, MT - Missoula, MT 59802, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: Bachelors Degree, Salary Range: $115,000.00 - $145,000.00 Salary, About the Job

GSI Environmental is seeking a Senior Permitting Specialist to join our growing mining and natural resource development practice. This position will have a strong focus on permitting and will support a diverse range of environmental projects in the natural resource development industry. Much of the work will support projects in Western United States, with periodic travel to project sites as needed.

This position is well suited for an experienced environmental professional who understands how to move mining projects through federal, state, and local permitting processes. The successful candidate will work directly with mining clients, regulators, technical specialists, and project teams to develop permitting strategies, prepare defensible applications and environmental review documents, and keep projects moving from exploration and development through operations, expansion, and closure.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support permitting strategies for new mines, mine expansions, and exploration programs.
• Manage and prepare permit applications, Plans of Operations, environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, baseline study plans, and supporting regulatory documentation.
• Support projects subject to NEPA and related federal requirements, including coordination with agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• Support state and local mine permitting, reclamation, water quality, water right, air quality, wetlands, and land use approvals.
• Develop permitting schedules, regulatory strategies, scopes of work, budgets, and project execution plans; track commitments, agency comments, and permit conditions through completion.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary technical teams performing hydrogeology, geochemistry, hydrology, biology, and other baseline and impact-assessment studies.
• Serve as a primary point of contact with clients and regulatory agencies and participate in agency meetings, technical working groups, public meetings, and stakeholder coordination as appropriate.
• Review technical work products for consistency with permitting requirements and help translate complex technical information into clear, regulator ready documents.
• Prepare proposals, support client development, and contribute to the continued growth of GSI's mining practice.
• Mentor junior and mid-level staff and promote collaboration among GSI technical experts across offices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in environmental science, geology, engineering, natural resources, planning, or a related field.
• 10 or more years of relevant environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, or environmental consulting experience; substantial mining-sector experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading or materially supporting permitting for hard rock mining, industrial mineral, or other large natural resource projects.
• Working knowledge of NEPA and federal land management permitting processes, with practical experience interacting with federal and state regulatory agencies.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary environmental studies, project schedules, budgets, subcontractors, and client deliverables.
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and defensible regulatory documents.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, cross-disciplinary team.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel domestically for project and client needs.

Job Perks

• Opportunities for ownership in a growing employee-owned company.
• Competitive salary and benefits with attractive year-end bonuses.
• Flexible work environment with potential for remote work.
• Participation in conferences, technical presentations, and publications.
• Collaborative atmosphere.

The base salary for this position will be determined by the candidate's geographic location, education, relevant degree, related experience, and overall qualifications.