Director of Natural Resources

Raba Kistner Inc.•Austin, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Raba Kistner is seeking a Director of Natural Resources to lead and grow its Natural Resources Service Line within the Environmental Division. The role may be based in Dallas, Austin, Houston, Conroe, or Beaumont, Texas. The Service Line provides wetland and stream delineations; jurisdictional determinations; Clean Water Act Sections 404 and 401 permitting; threatened and endangered species assessments, surveys, and agency consultations; vegetation, wildlife, and aquatic resource surveys; NEPA assessments and technical studies; environmental constraints analyses and due diligence; mitigation planning, monitoring, and reporting; construction-phase biological monitoring; and regulatory compliance support. Working closely with the Environmental Division COO and Natural Resources Assistant Director, the Director will develop and execute annual growth plans aligned with the Division’s five-year strategy and broader Enterprise plans. The role has broad responsibility for strategy, talent, client development, financial performance, staffing, and operational results. The Director will grow profitable backlog, strengthen client relationships, pursue new markets and geographies, expand capabilities, and balance resources with the project portfolio. The Director will mentor and develop staff, recruit talent, guide project teams, address complex project matters, and promote quality, safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement. The position also involves maintaining visibility with public- and private-sector decision-makers, monitoring regional and statewide trends, and reporting business, operational, and financial performance to the Division COO. The role requires regular interaction with clients, prospective clients, staff, business development and marketing personnel, and industry organizations. Work may take place outdoors in all weather conditions and may involve construction or roadway sites, field equipment, physical activity, and exposure to environmental and job-site hazards. The position may require protracted or irregular hours to meet client needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental science or engineering, Wildlife Ecology, geology, biology, Natural Resources, or a related field.
At least 15 years of related experience performing and managing natural resources projects, including wetlands and waters of the United States delineations and permitting; threatened and endangered species assessments and consultations; habitat, vegetation, and wildlife surveys; NEPA reviews; ecological assessments; environmental permitting and compliance; mitigation planning and monitoring; and natural-resource support for infrastructure, energy, industrial, and land-development projects.
At least 7 years of related management experience, including managing senior-level professionals, project managers, technical staff, and geographically dispersed teams.
40-hour OSHA HAZWOPER certification.
Valid driver’s license in the applicable jurisdiction and meeting the firm’s auto-insurability requirements.
Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively across organizational levels.
Demonstrated experience leading and growing an environmental consulting practice, service line, regional operation, or comparable business unit, with responsibility for financial performance, staffing, backlog management, strategic planning, client development, and operations.
Track record of developing high-performing teams, mentoring project managers and future leaders, recruiting experienced professionals, and establishing organizational structures that support sustainable growth.
Demonstrated ability to manage long sales cycles with multiple prospective clients while maintaining and strengthening existing client relationships.
Ability to read and interpret technical documents, including maps, construction plans, specifications, equipment manuals, standard operating procedures, analytical methods, and state and federal regulatory guidelines.
Detail-oriented and able to work as part of a team; self-motivated, dependable in attendance, and able to work independently.
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to analyze, solve problems, and recommend solutions.
Ability to read and interpret information, present numerical data effectively, and gather and analyze information skillfully.
Ability to design and deliver effective, persuasive presentations in formal and informal settings.

Nice To Haves

Limited practical experience executing environmental compliance, geosciences, or natural resources projects or tasks, or willingness to learn these skills.
Limited practical experience operating geographic data collection and other scientific data collection equipment, or willingness to learn.
Limited practical experience with field sample collection protocols and procedures for air, soil, groundwater, and surface water, or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

Provide personnel staffing and supervision, business and financial management, fiscal planning, and budget management for the Natural Resources Service Line.
Oversee project execution to meet client expectations and project financial performance goals.
Review project performance regularly with the Assistant Director and Project Managers, and initiate corrective actions as needed.
Manage project billing and accounts receivable activities with support from Finance and Administration.
Mentor staff and support their growth and career development across professional, technical, clerical, and support roles.
Recruit qualified staff and managers with the market knowledge and technical capabilities needed to meet Service Line and Division goals.
Evaluate work and personnel against performance standards, and address difficult project-management and staff issues constructively.
Grow profitable backlog and develop plans, subject to Division COO approval, to expand client offerings, sectors, and geographies.
Report business development, operational, and financial accomplishments and status regularly to the Division COO.
Assist the COO with annual Service Line budget planning.
Review weekly and monthly financial reports and initiate or monitor corrective actions; establish and maintain systems and controls for client and financial performance.
Monitor accounts receivable aging, coordinate collection strategies for overdue balances, and escalate material collection risks.
Manage revenue on hold, write-ups, and write-downs in alignment with Division budgets and Service Line targets.
Participate in Division and Enterprise strategic planning.
Maintain professional and technical operating standards and knowledge of environmental rules and regulations, including explaining and applying them in site-specific contexts.
Build relationships with current and prospective clients; prepare, contribute to, and approve proposals and qualifications.
Use existing client relationships across Raba Kistner to identify Natural Resources needs, cross-selling opportunities, and ways to expand services and market presence.
Maintain a public profile with target clients and participate in approved civic and professional activities, societies, and organizations.
Support business development and marketing pursuits, including proposals, statements of qualifications, client presentations, meetings, and maintenance activities.
Serve as a liaison between environmental staff and clients to help resolve client issues.
Notify the Division COO of potential disputes involving billing, staffing, legal claims, or litigation, and assist with resolution or defense as requested.
Represent Raba Kistner at relevant professional conferences, industry association meetings, and technical forums.
Participate in or host client luncheons, receptions, networking functions, and other client events.
Develop and deliver presentations to clients, prospective clients, industry groups, professional organizations, and internal stakeholders.
Coordinate with business development and marketing personnel on event participation, materials, follow-up, and evaluation of opportunities.
Perform other duties as assigned.