Senior Level Natural Resources Specialist Jobs
Senior level natural resources specialist jobs put experienced professionals in charge of program direction, technical outcomes, and the cross-functional teams that deliver conservation, land management, and regulatory work. Hiring concentrates across Consulting & Professional Services, Insurance, and Technology & Software, with 75% remote or hybrid availability, and employers like Aon, ECS Limited, and Esri hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 9+ Senior Level Natural Resources Specialist jobs
Description Burns & McDonnell is seeking a Natural and Cultural Resources Project Manager in the Southwest Region to lead environmental work for infrastructure, energy, mining, and other projects. Candidates may bring a primary background in biology, natural resources, or cultural resources. The role pairs technical understanding of at least one of these disciplines with ownership of scope, budget, schedule, client communication, and deliverable quality. The project manager works with qualified specialists, including biologists and archaeological Principal Investigators (PIs), as needed for each assignment.
Project management responsibilities include the following:
- Manage multiple natural or cultural resources projects from proposal and kickoff through fieldwork, agency review, and closeout, with clear ownership of scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and client commitments.
- Develop practical technical approaches in the candidate’s area of expertise, such as biological surveys, habitat studies, wetlands, or archaeological survey and Section 106 coordination. Integrate both disciplines on projects that require them, working with qualified technical leads.
- Prepare and manage proposals, scopes, labor estimates, schedules, and client presentations; maintain visibility into opportunities to support staffing and work forecasts.
- Lead and mentor specialists and early career staff, clarifying responsibilities and providing timely feedback.
- Coordinate qualified biologists, PIs, field directors, and project teams to plan fieldwork, obtain required authorizations, review technical data, and complete defensible deliverables.
- Coordinate with clients, agencies, and other stakeholders, including Tribal parties through the designated lead when appropriate; track decisions, comments, and commitments through completion.
- Build relationships with existing clients and identify opportunities for additional natural and cultural resources work in collaboration with Southwest Environmental Services leadership.
- Monitor hours, subconsultant costs, expenses, and project financial performance; identify variance early and implement agreed corrective actions.
- Work with qualified discipline leads to align technical approach, field staffing, authorization conditions, quality reviews, and deliverable milestones with the project budget and schedule.
- Help clients understand natural and cultural resources risks and decision points during siting, design, construction, and compliance planning.
- Apply knowledge of relevant requirements such as the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act Section 106, or applicable state requirements, according to the candidate’s expertise; coordinate specialized determinations with qualified technical leads.
- Share lessons learned, improve project delivery tools and standard operating procedures, and support professional presentations where relevant.
- Travel within the Southwest as needed for client meetings, field coordination, and project commitments.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, environmental planning, archaeology, anthropology, historic preservation, or a closely related field from an accredited program.
- Minimum 7 years of relevant natural resources or cultural resources consulting or compliance experience, including experience managing or coordinating project scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables.
- Experience with electric utility, renewable energy, mining, transportation, or other infrastructure projects in Arizona and the Southwest is preferred.
- Experience coordinating with agencies and clients on biological resources, wetlands and waterways, or cultural resources compliance, as applicable to the candidate’s technical background.
- Demonstrated expertise in at least one area: biological surveys and habitat assessment; wetlands, waters, and related permitting; or archaeological investigations and historic preservation. Experience integrating natural and cultural resources services is a plus.
- Strong written and verbal communication, sound judgment, and ability to work with qualified technical leads, field teams, and multidisciplinary project teams.
- Ability to manage concurrent assignments, forecast resources, and communicate changes in scope, schedule, or budget promptly.
Compensation
$115,000.00-200,000.00 Yearly
The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.
Benefits
Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
Job Environmental
Primary Location US-AZ-Phoenix
Other Locations US-NM-Albuquerque, US-Nevada, US-UT-Salt Lake City, US-AZ-Tucson
Schedule: Full-time
Travel: Yes, 50 % of the Time
Req ID: 264991
Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-GS #ENS N/A
Description Burns & McDonnell is seeking a Natural and Cultural Resources Project Manager in the Southwest Region to lead environmental work for infrastructure, energy, mining, and other projects. Candidates may bring a primary background in biology, natural resources, or cultural resources. The role pairs technical understanding of at least one of these disciplines with ownership of scope, budget, schedule, client communication, and deliverable quality. The project manager works with qualified specialists, including biologists and archaeological Principal Investigators (PIs), as needed for each assignment.
Project management responsibilities include the following:
- Manage multiple natural or cultural resources projects from proposal and kickoff through fieldwork, agency review, and closeout, with clear ownership of scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and client commitments.
- Develop practical technical approaches in the candidate’s area of expertise, such as biological surveys, habitat studies, wetlands, or archaeological survey and Section 106 coordination. Integrate both disciplines on projects that require them, working with qualified technical leads.
- Prepare and manage proposals, scopes, labor estimates, schedules, and client presentations; maintain visibility into opportunities to support staffing and work forecasts.
- Lead and mentor specialists and early career staff, clarifying responsibilities and providing timely feedback.
- Coordinate qualified biologists, PIs, field directors, and project teams to plan fieldwork, obtain required authorizations, review technical data, and complete defensible deliverables.
- Coordinate with clients, agencies, and other stakeholders, including Tribal parties through the designated lead when appropriate; track decisions, comments, and commitments through completion.
- Build relationships with existing clients and identify opportunities for additional natural and cultural resources work in collaboration with Southwest Environmental Services leadership.
- Monitor hours, subconsultant costs, expenses, and project financial performance; identify variance early and implement agreed corrective actions.
- Work with qualified discipline leads to align technical approach, field staffing, authorization conditions, quality reviews, and deliverable milestones with the project budget and schedule.
- Help clients understand natural and cultural resources risks and decision points during siting, design, construction, and compliance planning.
- Apply knowledge of relevant requirements such as the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act Section 106, or applicable state requirements, according to the candidate’s expertise; coordinate specialized determinations with qualified technical leads.
- Share lessons learned, improve project delivery tools and standard operating procedures, and support professional presentations where relevant.
- Travel within the Southwest as needed for client meetings, field coordination, and project commitments.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, environmental planning, archaeology, anthropology, historic preservation, or a closely related field from an accredited program.
- Minimum 7 years of relevant natural resources or cultural resources consulting or compliance experience, including experience managing or coordinating project scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables.
- Experience with electric utility, renewable energy, mining, transportation, or other infrastructure projects in Arizona and the Southwest is preferred.
- Experience coordinating with agencies and clients on biological resources, wetlands and waterways, or cultural resources compliance, as applicable to the candidate’s technical background.
- Demonstrated expertise in at least one area: biological surveys and habitat assessment; wetlands, waters, and related permitting; or archaeological investigations and historic preservation. Experience integrating natural and cultural resources services is a plus.
- Strong written and verbal communication, sound judgment, and ability to work with qualified technical leads, field teams, and multidisciplinary project teams.
- Ability to manage concurrent assignments, forecast resources, and communicate changes in scope, schedule, or budget promptly.
Compensation
$115,000.00-200,000.00 Yearly
The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.
Benefits
Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
Job Environmental
Primary Location US-AZ-Phoenix
Other Locations US-NM-Albuquerque, US-Nevada, US-UT-Salt Lake City, US-AZ-Tucson
Schedule: Full-time
Travel: Yes, 50 % of the Time
Req ID: 264991
Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-GS #ENS N/A
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Senior Level Natural Resources Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level natural resources specialist job?
Employers at this level look for demonstrated ownership of complex projects, not just participation in them. Candidates who stand out can point to programs they designed, regulatory challenges they resolved, or teams they led through a full project lifecycle. Deep technical expertise in areas like environmental compliance, habitat assessment, or watershed management, combined with a record of influencing decisions above your direct role, is what separates senior candidates from mid-level ones.
Which companies hire senior level natural resources specialists?
Companies hiring senior level natural resources specialists right now include Aon, ECS Limited, and Esri, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. At this level, hiring comes from a mix of federal and state agencies, environmental consulting firms, energy and utilities companies, and large land-management organizations that need experienced specialists to lead technical programs.
Are there remote senior level natural resources specialist jobs?
Yes, though the role is frequently field- or site-based, remote and hybrid options exist for senior specialists whose work centers on program coordination, policy, data analysis, or regulatory review. About 75% of senior level natural resources specialist openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with availability varying significantly by employer type and the nature of the program being managed.
What makes a natural resources specialist role senior level?
Senior level roles are defined by scope and ownership. Where mid-level specialists execute assigned tasks, senior specialists design programs, set technical direction, and are accountable for outcomes. They typically serve as the subject matter authority on complex regulatory or scientific questions, mentor junior staff, and represent the organization with external agencies, landowners, or clients. The work requires independent judgment on problems without clear precedent.
Which industries hire the most senior level natural resources specialists?
Senior level natural resources specialist roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Insurance, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive hiring because they face the most significant regulatory compliance requirements, land stewardship obligations, or environmental impact commitments that require experienced specialists to manage at a program level.