Environmental Compliance Field Team Leader

Stantec•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties around the globe and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work that’s critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science. Your Opportunity The Environmental Compliance Field Team Leader provides technical leadership and day-to-day oversight of field-based environmental compliance monitoring activities on active construction projects. This role serves as the field team lead and is responsible for ensuring high-quality inspections, consistent documentation, and effective communication of environmental requirements to others (project team members, clients, and/or contractors). Responsibilities include task or project management, coordination, and management of field work. The position combines hands on field involvement with supervisory, coordination, and reporting responsibilities. Environmental Compliance Team Leaders support construction phase environmental compliance across infrastructure projects by interpreting permit requirements, identifying compliance risks, coordinating corrective actions, and supporting the transition from construction to operations. This position requires the ability to handle multiple projects, interact with clients and government agencies, and effectively work with a team. Regular travel to construction sites, including extended stays out of town, may be required. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, embrace teamwork, and have the desire to grow and develop professionally.

Requirements

Strong practical knowledge of environmental regulations and permits applicable to construction activities (e.g., stormwater, wetlands, waterways, habitat and species protection).
Interpret information and select methods and solutions to resolve problems, exercising independent judgement in the field
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
Direct experience in task or project management.
Ability to interpret permit conditions and translate requirements into clear, field level guidance.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with contractors, clients, and regulators.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic field data collection and reporting tools.
Approximately 50% or greater travel, including extended field assignments depending on project needs.
Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and within active construction environments.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet motor vehicle record requirements.
Ability to pass a background check and drug screen (dependent on client requirements).
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Biology, Environmental Engineering, or related discipline.
5+ years of experience in environmental permitting, multi-disciplinary natural resource assessment, environmental compliance, or environmental monitoring is required.
Demonstrated experience leading or supervising field staff on construction or infrastructure projects.
Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather and performance of repetitive work such as lifting, bending, or standing for long periods of time.
Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time.

Nice To Haves

40-hr HAZWOPER certification, preferred.
Experience supporting environmental compliance on large or complex construction projects is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Act independently as the lead environmental compliance monitor onsite, as required. This role may include serving as an embedded environmental compliance team member for a Stantec client, working onsite or integrated within the client’s project team.
Conduct and support environmental compliance inspections on active construction sites to identify and document issues related to stormwater management; erosion and sediment control; wetlands, streams, and other regulated resources; as well as compliance concerns involving threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, required buffers, and tree preservation.
Conduct environmental compliance inspections for additional permit and plan requirements, as applicable to the project, including Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans; air quality permit conditions and fugitive dust controls; construction related noise requirements; and other environmental compliance obligations identified in project documents or permits.
Provide direction, mentoring, quality control – and depending on the candidate’s experience and Stantec needs- direct supervisory responsibility of environmental compliance monitors and junior staff, including task assignment, coaching, and performance feedback.
Apply practical knowledge of environmental permits, plans, and standard practices to assess field conditions and determine compliance.
Interpret and apply permit conditions and regulatory requirements.
Coordinate with other subject matter experts as required to satisfy compliance obligations.
Identify environmental compliance risks during construction and coordinate mitigation or corrective actions with construction personnel and project teams, in accordance with project requirements.
Review field observations to ensure inspections are consistent with project specific permits, plans, and environmental requirements.
Support compliance planning for pre‑construction activities and assist with environmental compliance during turnover to operations.
Assist the Resource Team Leader with project specific scheduling and staffing.
Work with others to establish site mapping and input environmental features; establish paperless documentation protocol (project dependent).
Prepare, review, and approve environmental inspection reports, photographs, and field documentation using project-specific formats and electronic tools.
Support the preparation and submittal of required compliance reports and notifications to clients and regulatory agencies.
Maintain clear records of compliance issues, corrective actions, and follow-up.
Serve as the primary field point of contact for environmental compliance on assigned projects.
Clearly communicate environmental requirements to contractors, construction managers, and stakeholders, and coordinate with appropriate stakeholders to clarify requirements and support permit modifications as needed.
Promote and enforce HSSE requirements, including stop-work authority when unsafe or noncompliant conditions are identified.
Ensure field staff adherence to site-specific safety protocols and client requirements and support onboarding and field training for Environmental Compliance Monitors.