Principal Technical Consultant, Paleontology

About the role

ERM seeks a Principal Technical Consultant, Paleontologist to provide technical oversight, mentorship, project leadership, and regulatory expertise while supporting major energy and infrastructure projects across the United States. In this senior leadership role you will help clients navigate complex paleontological resource requirements, contribute to the growth and success of ERM's multidisciplinary consulting practice, and serve as a recognized technical leader ensuring high-quality paleontological consulting services, regulatory compliance, and successful project delivery. You will support critical environmental reviews, agency coordination, mitigation planning, and resource management efforts while developing the next generation of paleontological professionals. As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, ERM partners with leading organizations to create innovative sustainability solutions, leveraging a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce and a “boots to boardroom” service model that delivers strategic and technical solutions from the field to the executive level.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Permit Administrator and/or Principal Investigator on BLM Paleontological Resources Use Permits and applicable state permits, and provide technical-level QA/QC of deliverables prepared by qualified paleontologists and resource specialists.
• Oversee a team of paleontologists conducting desktop studies and field investigations, including reconnaissance and pedestrian surveys, fossil salvage and collection efforts, and construction monitoring.
• Lead, manage, mentor, and develop mid-level and junior paleontologists and cultural resources specialists, including participation in hiring, mentorship, engagement initiatives, and coordination across the broader cultural and paleontological resources practice.
• Collaborate with Paleontology Principal Investigators, Regional Leads, the Consulting Director for Archaeology, Area Managers, and Managing Partners to drive technical excellence and team success.
• Serve as primary author, senior reviewer, or task manager for paleontological resource studies supporting large-scale capital projects, ensuring work is completed within scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations.
• Manage projects ranging from multi-state linear infrastructure developments to smaller site-specific investigations.