Principal Environmental Scientist
About The Position
GFT is seeking a Principal Environmental Scientist to join our growing Environmental Practice! This role follows a remote work model attached to our Owings Mills, MD office. GFT’s Environmental team delivers integrated planning, permitting, and compliance solutions that support infrastructure development across North America. With more than 140 professionals in 22 offices, the team guides clients through NEPA and permitting processes, ecological and regulatory assessments, and environmental remediation efforts. Their expertise spans transportation, power, water, and facilities markets — working alongside agencies at federal, state, and local levels. From stream restoration to complex environmental impact statements, GFT helps clients protect resources, manage risk, and meet regulatory requirements with confidence. As a Principal Environmental Scientist, you will serve as a project-level environmental lead and technical advisor for reviewing power generation, storage, and transmission projects throughout Maryland, with responsibility for managing environmental scopes, coordinating regulatory compliance, and delivering high-quality environmental documentation and permit reviews. This position requires an experienced practitioner who can independently manage small to mid-sized environmental projects, interface directly with State agencies and regulators, and serve as a senior technical lead.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related field
- 15 years of progressive experience in energy licensing, transmission line siting, policy analysis, impact assessments, and regulatory coordination for permit approvals supporting energy infrastructure projects.
- Demonstrated experience leading environmental scopes and coordinating CPCN documentation and permit review.
- Experience working in multidisciplinary environmental project teams.
- Experience leading subconsultants and reviewing their work.
- Strong understanding of environmental regulations as applied to linear power transmission projects, power generation projects, and general energy regulations in Maryland.
- Proven ability to manage schedules and deliverables for environmental project components.
- Excellent technical writing and review skills for CPCN review documents and permit applications.
- Strong communication and leadership skills, with confidence working directly with clients and regulators.
Nice To Haves
- A Master’s degree in a closely related field.
Responsibilities
- Leading a group of environmental professionals conducting transmission line siting/permitting review and licensing in Maryland.
- Conduct detailed policy and regulatory analysis related to energy, including new regulations, rules, and State initiatives.
- Lead a group of environmental professionals conducting electric generation (e.g., solar photovoltaic facility, BESS, or gas turbine) review and licensing in Maryland.
- Prepare detailed reports related to CPCN licensing for Maryland. This could include expert testimony or briefs for CPCN cases.
- Lead independent studies and/or initiatives related to pertinent energy topics.
- Perform QA/QC reviews of environmental documents to ensure defensibility, consistency, and adherence to client requirements.
- Provide day-to-day technical direction to junior and mid-level environmental staff and review their work for quality and regulatory compliance.
- Act as a primary environmental point of contact with energy utilities, MD DNR Power Plant Assessment Program (PPRP) and other state agencies.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
