Principal Environmental Consultant

Location: Reno, Nevada (Remote) Type: Full-time | 15+ Years Experience About the Role We're hiring a Principal Environmental Consultant to join Sunstone Environmental Solutions and provide strategic leadership on high-stakes environmental consulting projects for mining clients in the Western U.S. This role emphasizes expertise in mining-related environmental challenges, including water management, air permitting, NEPA compliance, and related fields. As a Principal Consultant, you'll serve as the senior technical authority, shaping environmental strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and fostering client relationships. You'll guide complex permitting and compliance initiatives, mentor junior staff, and drive innovative solutions that balance regulatory demands with operational efficiency in the mining sector. What You'll Do This role offers hands-on exposure to fieldwork, environmental compliance, reporting, and project support. You'll work under the guidance of experienced team members and support a variety of client projects. Project Management: Oversee large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects involving permitting, compliance, and environmental planning. Team Mentorship and Oversight: Lead and develop a team of up to 10 consultants and support staff, providing technical guidance, performance coaching, and ensuring seamless execution across concurrent projects. Vendor and Stakeholder Coordination: Manage subcontractors such as hydrologists, air quality specialists, environmental engineers, and regulatory experts, while building strong partnerships with mining clients and agencies. Technical Expertise and Documentation: Author or lead the development of advanced compliance documents, including EISs under NEPA, stormwater permits (SWPPPs), mine plans of operations (PoOs), air quality plans, and integrated environmental impact assessments. Regulatory Navigation: Engage at a senior level with federal (e.g., BLM, USFS, EPA), state (e.g., NDEP), and local agencies, with preferred experience in Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, or similar mining jurisdictions. Business Development: Contribute to proposal strategies, technical scoping, and client pitches to secure and expand mining-focused environmental consulting engagements. Field and Advisory Presence: Provide high-level oversight through periodic site visits, risk assessments, and advisory support for emerging issues in mining environmental compliance. Qualifications Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Geology, Hydrogeology, or a related discipline. Experience: Minimum 15 years in environmental consulting, mining, or related industries, with deep involvement in project leadership for mining-specific challenges like water permitting, air quality management, NEPA processes, and compliance programs. Technical Depth: Demonstrated mastery in regulatory frameworks (e.g., NEPA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, NDEP/BLM permitting). Strong preference for hands-on experience in Nevada mining environments or analogous Western U.S. operations. Leadership: Proven track record of leading senior teams, subcontractors, and multi-project portfolios, with a focus on strategic decision-making and risk mitigation. Work Style: Strategic thinker, exceptional communicator, adept at influencing stakeholders, and resilient in fast-paced, high-stakes settings. Location: Must reside in the Greater Reno, Nevada area or be willing to relocate upon hire. What Makes This Role Different Leadership without Bureaucracy: You'll manage people and projects, not just spreadsheets. We give you autonomy and support. Remote with Flexibility: Work from home, with in-person collaboration when our future hybrid office opens. Trusted Expertise: Join a team that values technical skill and proactive solutions over red tape. High-Performance Rewards: We reward hard work and results with competitive pay, performance bonuses, and accelerated career growth. Thrive in a merit-driven culture where top performers get recognized, promoted, and compensated for exceeding expectations—while maintaining availability during core business hours (8–5) for seamless team execution. Compensation & Benefits Salary: Competitive Salary, TBD based on experience. Health: Company-paid medical, dental, and vision. 401(k): With 4% company match. PTO: Flexible time off – schedule as needed, provided deliverables are met. Culture: Self-driven, no-nonsense work environment with real respect for your time. Ready to Join? Send your resume and a short letter of interest using the form below. Come build something meaningful with a team that knows how to work hard—and live well.