Principal Environmental Consultant
- EKI Environment & Water Inc
- Irvine, CA, USA
- May 31, 2026
Job Description
COMPANY OVERVIEW
EKI Environment & Water, Inc. (EKI) is an employee-owned, engineering, environmental, and water resources consulting firm serving private- and public-sector clients throughout the United States. If you are interested in improving the environment and advancing your career, then EKI is the place for you.
ROLE
The Principal Environmental Consultant position reports to the Regional Director, ESG and is responsible for driving business growth throughout Southern California while leading complex environmental assessment and remediation projects. The role provides strategic leadership for key client initiatives, promotes technical excellence and risk stewardship, and develops and strengthens client and business relationships. This position requires strategic oversight of environmental due diligence, investigation, and remediation projects and close collaboration with regulatory agencies, clients, and internal teams to develop practical solutions to complex business and environmental challenges.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to the following:
- Develop and implement strategies for business development in Southern California, including client engagement, proposal preparation, market analysis and cross-selling initiatives with a goal of sourcing significant revenues of $400,000 in year 1 and growing to >$1MM within 3 years
- Lead and manage environmental projects from inception through completion, ensuring quality, technical excellence, and regulatory compliance
- Provide expertise, technical guidance, oversight, and mentorship to project teams on environmental projects, fostering professional growth and technical excellence
- Provide leadership and support EKI’s presence in professional groups, forums and associations, including presenting at conferences, publishing technical papers, or leading or participating in professional or industry associations as a technical committee member
- Help develop and sustain a high performing team through recruiting, professional development, and training initiatives, while contributing to the continued growth and expansion of EKI in Southern California
- Ensure compliance with safety standards for Southern California
- Support finance and accounting to ensure compliance with billing and collection goals for Southern California
- Other duties as required
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Geology, Hydrogeology or a related field; Master’s degree or higher preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- 10 (ten) or more years of experience as an engineer, geologist, or hydrogeologist for environmental investigation and remediation projects
- Excellent client management skills with a proven ability to maintain long-term client relationships
- Proven track record in project management, including leading multidisciplinary teams and managing budgets and schedules
- Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and compliance requirements
- Demonstrated experience in business development within the environmental consulting industry
- Professional Engineer or Geologist license in the State of California preferred
- Must be able to review and edit technical reports to meet scope and quality objectives, as well as client expectations
Competencies
- Must have effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with clients, subconsultants, regulatory agencies, and members of the public
- Must have ability to lead multiple project teams
- Must have demonstrated time management skills, strong work ethic and attention to detail
- Must have a demonstrated commitment to personal and professional growth, including the mentorship of others
- Must have a current valid driver’s license
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with high-volume workload and frequent short deadlines
- Must have the ability to obtain medical clearance to work on hazardous waste site(s)
- Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs
- Must be able to work remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
- Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information
- Must be able to assess the accuracy, quality and thoroughness of the work assigned
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- Must be able to travel occasionally, possibly overnight for customer meetings and site visits up to 20% of the time
COMPENSATION
The compensation range for this position is $175,000 - $225,000 annually, inclusive of base salary and performance-based bonus opportunity. Actual compensation will be based upon a variety of factors such as education, relevant work experience, amount of revenue candidate is able to generate, and market conditions.
As an employee-owned firm, EKI offers a unique company culture with a corporate commitment to maintaining a positive work/life experience. EKI provides excellent compensation and comprehensive benefits packages, including career advancement opportunities, outstanding training opportunities, incentive compensation including bonuses, retirement benefits through an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) and 401(k) profit-sharing contributions, and group medical, vision, and dental benefits.
EKI Environment & Water, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to: race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, marital status, political affiliation, or military service.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and is not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. This description may be amended at any time and employee may be assigned other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: EKI Environment & Water, Inc does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and approved engagement request with EKI Environment & Water, Inc. reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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