Environmental Team Lead

Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC is searching for an experienced, dynamic leader for our multidisciplinary Environmental Team. Ideal candidates should have at least 17 years of experience in the civil and environmental engineering industry. This position will lead a team of planners and scientists located across the Midwest to conduct analysis and environmental services on a wide range of projects and studies. The person in this position will report to the Principal of Planning Preliminary Studies and have direct input to conversations with the company’s Executive Team regarding team direction, environmental planning best practices, client market, and staff development. Remote work is a possibility for this position, depending upon the candidate’s ability to travel between KEG offices and project locations as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Planning, Geography, Environmental Science, Botany/Plant Ecology, Zoology, Biology, Soil Science, or other allied natural/physical environmental resources disciplines. An advanced degree (Master’s) in one of these areas is preferred, but not required.
• A minimum of 17 years of experience in environmental planning, science and/or environmental engineering for civil infrastructure projects is preferred.
• Expertise in preparing various types of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents and the ability to translate those skills to prepare state-level environmental compliance documents (modeled after NEPA) primarily for transportation sector projects. Experience working with clients and environmental planning processes across several Midwest states, such as Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Kentucky, Ohio.
• Experience mentoring and managing direct reports and other team members.
• At least 12 years of experience working on projects with DOTs and other state and federal agencies.
• Prequalified to lead Environmental Assessments (EAs) in the State of Illinois and preferably Environmental Impact Statements (EIS’).
• Experience leading Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) studies and transitioning into NEPA.
• Some travel is required. Candidates should be able to regularly travel (day and overnight trips) to client meetings and locations where other KEG staff are located.

Responsibilities

• Staying abreast of changing environmental regulations at the federal, state and local client levels.
• Leading the required analyses and overall preparation of the associated technical environmental documents for both natural and man-made environment subject areas, including wetland and stream delineations, noise studies, air quality studies, special and hazardous materials assessments, socioeconomic and land use analyses, environmental justice studies, equity studies, cumulative impact analyses and other human and natural environment studies.
• Leading a team providing environmental field investigations, including but not limited to wetland and stream surveys, wetland delineations, on-site stormwater and waterway permit monitoring, tree surveys, threatened & endangered species habitat identification, stream and water quality investigations, ambient noise measurements, preliminary special waste and hazardous materials data collection, historic property photo logs, and other field work, as necessary. Familiarity with field procedures and safety protocol is required.
• Leading a team that prepares waterway permits and associated materials for Clean Water Act Section 404 and 401 permits, floodway permits, stormwater permits, and other similar waterway permits. Strong knowledge of the permitting process is required.
• Leading a team that performs environmental impact analyses, including but not limited to stream and wetland impact analyses, botanical and forest impact analyses, threatened & endangered species impact analyses, floodplain and water quality impact analyses, and other natural resources analyses. Previous experience in this area is essential.
• Leading a team that performs environmental mitigation identification, prepares conceptual mitigation studies, and conducts mitigation site investigations during and post-construction.
• Acting as the Environmental Lead and training others to prepare environmental documents for Categorical Exclusions (CEs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), and/or Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Planning and Environmental Linkage (PEL) studies, Section 4(f) Statements, Section 7 biological assessments, and other necessary materials and reports.
• Providing QA/QC over environmental deliverables.
• Providing overall guidance and leadership to Environmental staff for training, hiring, and project management.
• Providing the Principal of Planning and Preliminary Engineering, as well as the KEG Executive Team with information about Environmental Team development needs.
• Prepare budgets, scopes, and fees for various projects.
• Participate in industry events and business development activities.
• Assist with marketing efforts, including client relations, pursuit development and content development for marketing and proposals.
• Provide a collaborative, inclusive environment for all employees and clients.

Benefits & Flexibility

• Market-driven salary and compensation structure
• Flex time throughout the week. We are not an “8 to 5” company. Our work can be completed from our offices or (through the use of advanced technology) from the comfort of your own home. Our employees enjoy the ease and many benefits of our flexible work arrangements.
• Employer-matching retirement contribution
• Employer-paid health insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid holidays and generous vacation package
• Parental Leave
• Gym Membership
• Pet Insurance
• Additional banked hours program for accrued overtime
• Friendly, inclusive, supportive environment for both personal and professional growth
• Pet-friendly office environment

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

At KEG, we do not just accept difference - we embrace it, we champion it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our team, our clients, and the service we provide. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and are committed to building a team that proudly represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skillsets.

About Us

KEG is a 100% woman-owned and managed engineering and contracting firm that was founded in 2006. From the beginning, we have recruited highly skilled employees from a variety of public and private sector backgrounds. This has allowed us to quickly amass an impressive portfolio of federal, state, county, and private project experience. Our main office is located in downtown Belleville, Illinois, with branch offices in Geneva, Peoria, Champaign, Macomb, and Glen Carbon, Illinois, as well as Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, Evansville, Indiana, and St. Paul, Minnesota. We also have remote staff located broadly across the Midwest; some are near our brick and mortar offices and some are not. The diversity of our in-house services affords us the ability to understand more than just how to complete a project. It allows us to view projects with a holistic approach – considering all phases of projects, as well as environmental, client, and stakeholder needs.

KEG’s purpose is to make the world a better place through the practice of engineering. Through partnerships with our clients and regulatory agencies, we plan, design, and build projects that enhance communities, spur economic development, and respect the environment. We practice gratitude for our blessings by giving back to our communities through service projects and active participation in community organizations. It is this diversity and commitment to public service that separates us from most other engineering firms. KEG is known as an employee-centric firm with a strong reputation for its positive and collaborative company culture.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Compensation package:

• Performance bonus
• Yearly bonus

Experience level:

• 11 years

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Travel requirement:

• Travel

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Champaign, IL 61820