Department Manager - Environmental Services

Location: Buffalo, NY
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $140,000 - $160,000+ (commensurate with experience)

About the Opportunity

An established and growing environmental consulting and engineering firm is seeking an experienced Environmental Services Department Manager to lead and expand its environmental practice in the Buffalo area.

This leadership position offers the opportunity to oversee a diverse portfolio of environmental planning, permitting, compliance, and infrastructure-related projects throughout New York State. The successful candidate will provide operational leadership, mentor technical staff, support business development efforts, and serve as a senior technical resource for complex environmental assignments.

The role is ideal for an experienced environmental professional who enjoys balancing project execution, team leadership, client engagement, and strategic growth initiatives.

Position Overview

The Department Manager will oversee a team of environmental professionals while managing environmental studies, permitting efforts, regulatory compliance projects, and environmental due diligence activities. This individual will play a key role in department operations, staff development, project delivery, and business growth.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background, demonstrated leadership experience, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Department Management

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team of environmental scientists, engineers, planners, and technical staff.
• Manage staffing, workload allocation, project assignments, and departmental resources.
• Recruit, train, develop, and retain high-performing team members.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support employee career development.
• Foster a collaborative, safety-focused, and client-oriented culture.
• Monitor department performance, profitability, project schedules, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning and growth initiatives.
• Support business development efforts through client relationship management, networking, and proposal development.
• Prepare scopes of work, fee proposals, and project budgets.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, company procedures, and quality requirements.

Technical & Project Responsibilities

• Provide oversight and technical direction for environmental investigations, assessments, permitting, and compliance projects.
• Manage projects involving state and federal environmental review requirements.
• Review environmental reports, technical memoranda, permit applications, and regulatory documentation.
• Support field investigations, site assessments, environmental sampling, and data collection activities when needed.
• Oversee preparation of technical specifications, design support documentation, and cost estimates.
• Maintain strong relationships with public and private sector clients.
• Provide guidance on environmental compliance considerations for infrastructure, redevelopment, and construction projects.
• Attend client meetings, site visits, and stakeholder engagement meetings as required.

Preferred Technical Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Environmental permitting and regulatory compliance
• State and federal environmental review processes
• Air quality and noise assessments
• Wetlands, ecological, and natural resource studies
• Water quality and stormwater management
• Environmental justice and community impact evaluations
• Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
• Environmental planning and due diligence services

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Planning, Geology, Biology, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of relevant environmental consulting, engineering, or regulatory experience.
• Previous experience managing technical staff, project teams, and departmental operations.
• Strong understanding of state and federal environmental regulations and permitting requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, budgets, schedules, and client relationships.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and technical writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple disciplines and project types.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel periodically for project and client needs.
• Experience with GIS platforms is a plus.

Preferred Certifications

The following certifications and professional credentials are considered highly desirable:

• HAZWOPER
• OSHA 10-Hour or 30-Hour Training
• Confined Space Entry Training
• Hazardous Materials Transportation Training
• Asbestos and/or Lead-Based Paint Certifications
• Professional Engineer (PE)
• Professional Geologist (PG)
• American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
• Other relevant environmental or technical certifications

What You'll Receive

• Competitive compensation package based on experience and qualifications.
• Opportunity to lead and grow an established environmental services team.
• Exposure to a wide range of complex environmental and infrastructure projects.
• Significant career advancement and leadership opportunities.
• Collaborative work environment with a strong focus on technical excellence and professional development.