Principal Consultant (Natural Resources)

Principal Consultant - Natural Resources

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

As a senior leader in the environmental consulting space, this role focuses on expanding client relationships across oil & gas, industrial, power & utility, and commercial sectors. The Principal Consultant will drive business development, lead technical initiatives, and oversee complex environmental permitting and natural resource projects.

Key responsibilities include:

• Builds and strengthens client relationships across the regional market, supporting both new business development and existing account growth.
• Leads strategic initiatives to grow environmental service offerings, including permitting, ecological assessments, and natural channel design.
• Oversees and executes environmental permitting efforts, including stream assessments, reach condition studies, and coordination with regulatory agencies.
• Applies working knowledge of federal and state water quality regulations (e.g., CWA, NEPA, ESA, NHPA) to guide project compliance and permitting strategies.
• Utilizes principles of Natural Channel Design and Rosgen methodologies to support stream restoration and mitigation planning.
• Conducts hydrologic and hydraulic modeling (HEC/HEC-RAS) and prepares FEMA-related documentation (CLOMRs/LOMRs) when applicable.
• Develops full plan sets for stream and wetland restoration projects, ensuring alignment with state and local approval processes.
• Cross-sells complementary services such as site characterization, PFAS consulting, vapor intrusion mitigation, and ecological offset programs.
• Manages high-visibility projects from definition through execution, including permitting, data management, and compliance support.
• Leads proposal development and contract negotiations, ensuring alignment with internal financial and operational standards.
• Represents the firm at industry events, delivers technical presentations, and contributes thought leadership through publications and professional organizations.
• Generates leads and cultivates new opportunities through strategic networking and industry engagement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Environmental Science, Ecology, Geology, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
• 15+ years of industry experience, including at least 5 years in business development, proposal leadership, and project execution.
• Strong communication and technical writing skills, with a proven track record of client development and revenue generation.
• Familiarity with regional permitting processes and established relationships with regulatory agencies.
• Professional certifications or licenses (e.g., PE, PG, CPG, PhD) are highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel for client meetings, industry events, and project support as needed.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Benefits and Highlights

• The team works hard and enjoys the process, driven by values that prioritize integrity, client service, employee well-being, and community impact.
• The culture is supportive and entrepreneurial, encouraging innovation and shared learning.
• A robust benefits package supports both health and financial wellness, including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), FSA, disability coverage, parental leave, tuition assistance, and more.
• Work/life balance is actively supported through both policy and culture.
• Diversity and inclusion are foundational, with a commitment to equitable opportunities and respectful workplace practices for all backgrounds and identities