Senior Project Manager-Natural Resources

General Responsibilities:

We are seeking a highly qualified and experienced Natural Resources Senior Project Manager to join our dynamic team supporting projects throughout the Carolinas and Virginia. This individual will provide both technical leadership and project management expertise while overseeing a diverse portfolio of environmental planning, permitting, and natural resource projects.

The successful candidate will manage all aspects of natural resources projects to ensure they are completed safely, on schedule, within scope, and within budget. Responsibilities include developing project strategies, monitoring progress against project plans, identifying and resolving operational challenges, managing project risks, and implementing solutions to maintain project schedules and profitability. The position requires leadership in resource allocation, project scheduling, budgeting, forecasting, subcontractor coordination, and overall project delivery.

Technical responsibilities include preparation and review of NEPA documentation, environmental assessments, and other environmental reports; conducting and managing wetland and stream delineations; obtaining Clean Water Act Section 404 and 401 permits; supporting wetland and stream mitigation planning and implementation; and performing Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultations, habitat assessments, and presence/absence surveys. The candidate will serve as a senior technical resource for projects involving federal, state, and local environmental compliance requirements.

The role requires demonstrated leadership within the environmental consulting industry, including mentoring and developing staff, providing cross-training opportunities, and fostering a collaborative team environment focused on technical excellence and client service. The successful candidate will build and maintain strong client relationships, support business development efforts, and help expand the firm's natural resources practice throughout the region.

As a project manager, the candidate will establish priorities, assign tasks, and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams to meet critical milestones and deliverables. They will conduct project meetings, prepare technical and management reports, communicate project status to clients and stakeholders, and ensure work products meet quality standards and client expectations. The position will also coordinate closely with technical reviewers and senior leadership at key project milestones to ensure project quality and successful outcomes.

Additional responsibilities include reviewing and approving invoices, preparing and negotiating change orders, supporting collections efforts, and maintaining accountability for project financial performance. The successful candidate must be capable of managing multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced consulting environment while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, quality, and client satisfaction.

The position will involve periodic overnight travel throughout the Carolinas and Virginia, as well as fieldwork conducted under a variety of weather conditions and challenging terrain. Essential Roles and Responsibilities:

Works with client or NAM to define project scope, schedule and budget

Leads interactions with client and stakeholders to ensure their goals are being considered in execution of the work

Design, communicate, and implement a project plan for completing a project.

Leads safety efforts including preparation and compliance with approved safety plan

Resolve operational problems and minimize delays.

Identify, develop, and gather necessary resources to complete the project.

Prepare designs and work specifications; develop schedules, budgets and forecasts; select materials, equipment, project staff, and contractors.

Estimate costs, resources, and time required to complete.

Prepares forecasts for expenditures and manages scope, schedule to meet budget

Monitor activities, allocate resources, and assign tasks to ensure targets are met.

Partner with other departments or offices to secure specialized resources for the project.

Conduct project meetings and prepare reports to communicate the status of the project within and beyond the project team.

Coach and mentor project staff and assist them to solve problems.

Coordinates with APR to ensure appropriate oversight is in place and sufficient time allowed for quality reviews

Coordinates with accounting for financial management of business intelligence, invoicing and collections

Develop understanding and be aware of project-related risk. Be familiar with what could go wrong on a project and how to protect the Company. Be familiar with company risk policies.

Lead safety efforts for team and ensure team follows safety rules and guidelines. Responsible for creating and modeling a safe work environment; demonstrates safety practices. Promote pre-task planning for all projects.

Promote continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects. Monitor quality standards and practices. Engage APRs on projects at their onset.

NEPA documentation and environmental reports: Manage data collection, required coordination, report writing consistent with National Environmental Policy Act requirements, as necessary.

Wetland and stream delineations: Manage and conduct thorough wetland and stream delineations in accordance with regulatory guidelines and industry best practices. Prepare detailed reports documenting findings and delineation boundaries.

Section 404/401 Clean Water Act Permitting: Manage the preparation and submission of Section 404/401 Clean Water Act permitting applications. Collaborate with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and address permitting requirements.

Wetland and stream mitigation : Ability to develop and implement wetland and stream mitigation plans to offset impacts associated with development activities. Oversee the establishment and monitoring of mitigation sites including permittee-responsible mitigation and mitigation banking.

Protected species assessments: Conduct habitat assessments and presence/absence surveys for protected species, ensuring compliance with relevant environmental regulations. Collaborate with wildlife biologists and other experts to integrate protected species considerations into project planning.

Project Management: Lead and manage natural resources-related projects, ensuring timely completion and compliance with project goals. Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams, clients, and regulatory agencies to facilitate project success.

Client interaction: Communicate effectively with clients to understand project objectives, address concerns, and provide regular updates on project progress. Provide excellent client experience.

Prepare highly professional comprehensive deliverables detailing assessment results and regulatory compliance.

Must be able to work outside in a variety of weather conditions performing site visits, field observations, and field data collection or assignments.

Ability to evaluate regulation and guidelines and apply requirements to client deliverables.

Responsible for developing written proposals for clients and coordination of quality assurance approvals by senior level professionals.

May serve as team member and participate in meetings and communications with clients pertaining to specific projects/tasks.

Provide support for other service areas as needed across Terracon’s Southeast division.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline practices by the Firm including Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or similar and a minimum of 10 years’ related experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 14 years’ related experience.

A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or similar professional registration/certification relevant to the type of services and projects being managed

Authorized Project Reviewer status