Department Manager | Environmental Investigation & Remediation

About the role

The Department Manager for Environmental Investigation & Remediation at Bunnell-Lammons Engineering, Inc. oversees the operational, financial, and strategic management of the Environmental Investigation and Remediation department. This role is crucial for ensuring the successful delivery of technically complex environmental projects in both the public and private sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of environmental professionals focused on site characterization, remediation, and UST/AST compliance.
• Recruit, mentor, and manage field technicians, engineers, and administrative staff.
• Define clear performance expectations and professional development goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, teamwork, and continuous learning.
• Oversee training programs, technical certifications, and career path planning.
• Site Investigation & Remediation:
• Oversee the design and implementation of Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs).
• Soil and groundwater investigations.
• Remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and cleanup plans.
• Guide teams in the development of Conceptual Site Models (CSMs), data gap analyses, and risk-based corrective action (RBCA) strategies.
• Ensure compliance with state cleanup programs, including Leaking UST (LUST) programs, voluntary cleanup programs, and Brownfields redevelopment efforts.
• UST/AST Investigation & Compliance:
• Direct UST/AST project execution across multiple states, including tank compliance testing and inspection coordination.
• Site assessments and corrective action plans.
• Closure assessments and regulatory reporting.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of federal UST regulations (40 CFR Part 280) and varying state-specific UST/AST requirements.
• Ensure projects are designed and executed in accordance with applicable state environmental agencies.
• Regulatory & Client Interface:
• Serve as senior liaison with clients and regulators on UST compliance and site remediation projects.
• Lead preparation and review of regulatory submittals, closure requests, and enforcement response documentation.
• Provide expert guidance to clients on navigating multistate regulatory landscapes and maintaining ongoing compliance.
• Project & Financial Oversight:
• Lead all financial aspects of the department, including P&L performance, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Cook up and review budgets for staffing, equipment, and training within profitability goals.
• Own departmental revenue, expense, and margin targets.
• Monitor monthly financial reports to identify trends and variances.
• Approve budgets for staffing, equipment, and training within profitability goals.
• Staffing & Talent Management:
• Evaluate current and future staffing needs based on workload, business development initiatives, and project forecasts.
• Recommend strategic hires, reassignments, or outsourcing to optimize efficiency.
• Anticipate specialized skills required for upcoming project types and markets.
• Provide leadership with data-driven staffing reports for decision-making.
• Conduct formal performance reviews tied to defined KPIs and competencies.
• Recommend cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in alignment with company policy and market benchmarks.
• Leadership and Professional Development:
• Mentor staff through coaching, technical guidance, and career pathing.
• Identify and sponsor training opportunities that align with business goals.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and professional integrity.
• Encourage cross-training to increase departmental flexibility.
• Develop succession planning strategies for key roles.
• Distribution of Work Assignments:
• Assign staff based on skills, licensure, and project complexity.
• Ensure workload distribution promotes efficiency and professional growth.
• Monitor project delivery timelines and reallocate resources proactively.
• Balance staff development needs with client deliverable requirements.
• Track and report on departmental utilization rates.
• Accountable for Corporate and Professional Standards and Ethics:
• Uphold compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ensure adherence to industry codes of ethics and corporate policies.
• Enforce quality assurance and control standards on all deliverables.
• Lead by example in integrity, transparency, and ethical decision-making.
• Incorporate Technology and Automation to Streamline Workflows:
• Incorporate technology and automation to streamline workflows.
• Communication and Implementation of Corporate Policies and Goals:
• Translate executive vision into actionable departmental objectives.
• Cascade corporate initiatives clearly and consistently to staff.
• Monitor compliance with company-wide policies and procedures.
• Plan Business Development / Marketing / Client Relations Strategies:
• Collaborate with business development to target high-value markets and clients.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships to expand repeat business.
• Support proposal preparation, presentations, and interviews.
• Identify cross-selling opportunities across service lines.
• Develop strategies to improve hit rates and client satisfaction.
• Plan long-term and short-term goals.
• Define Annual Departmental Objectives with Measurable KPIs:
• Align short-term project delivery goals with multi-year strategic vision.
• Monitor progress toward goals and adjust plans as needed.
• Anticipate industry trends and incorporate them into long-term planning.
• Report Achievements and Challenges to Senior Leadership Quarterly:
• Report achievements and challenges to senior leadership quarterly.
• Foster a Positive Work Culture Focused on Engagement and Recognition:
• Foster a positive work culture focused on engagement and recognition.
• Monitor turnover rates and implement retention initiatives.
• Conduct stay interviews to identify drivers of satisfaction and risk.
• Provide advancement and learning opportunities to high-potential staff.
• Address workload balance and burnout risks proactively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, or a related technical discipline required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in geotechnical and/or environmental consulting, including leadership and project management experience with a strong focus on UST/AST investigations and soil/groundwater assessment and remediation under federal and state cleanup programs.
• 3+ years of team leadership or management experience in a consulting or corporate environment.
• Professional registration (PE, PG, CHMM, or similar) strongly preferred.
• Advanced understanding of federal and state environmental regulations, including a strong working knowledge of federal UST regulations and direct experience with multiple state UST programs in the southeastern US.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Prominent experience managing departmental P&L performance.
• Experience preparing and reviewing reports submitted under LUST, Brownfields, or voluntary cleanup programs.
• Familiarity with PFAS, chlorinated solvent, or petroleum hydrocarbon investigations.
• Knowledge of remediation technologies such as in-situ treatment, SVE, or bioremediation.
• Experience in regulatory negotiation and strategy across multiple jurisdictions.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
• Strong business development and client relationship management capabilities.
• Experience with contract negotiation, MSA management, and operational policy implementation.
• Proficiency in project management software, financial reporting tools, and technical software relevant to geotechnical and environmental services.