Manager of Environmental Permitting and Sustainable Development

BNSF Railway is hiring a Manager of Environmental Permitting and Sustainable Development in Fort Worth, Texas. This role involves overseeing environmental permitting for engineering projects, collaborating with various teams, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The manager will advocate for sustainable practices, create best practices, and liaise with regulatory agencies and stakeholders. The position emphasizes safety, diversity, and sustainability within the company.
Location: Texas

Be part of a team that values safety, diversity, and excellence

We are one of the largest U.S. railroads transporting the nation’s freight across 28 western states and 3 Canadian provinces. As a member of our team, you will play a role in supporting the movement of essential products and materials that help feed, clothe, supply, and power communities throughout America and the world.

We are committed to a culture where all employees are included, belong, and have equal opportunity to achieve their full potential. Come make a difference with us!

Learn more about BNSF and our Benefits

Job Location: Fort Worth
Other Potential Locations: Fort Worth, TX
Anticipated

Start Date:

06/01/2025
Number of Positions: 1
Salary Range: $87,700 - $135,900

Apply early as this job may be removed or filled prior to the closing date, which is approximately seven (7) days after the posting date.

The BNSF Railway Environmental & Sustainability Department leads our company's environmental efforts. This team oversees environmental and hazardous materials compliance, liability management, and spill/emergency response. Additionally, they are dedicated to stewardship of sustainable solutions and related initiatives, ensuring that BNSF remains a responsible corporate citizen.

Position Summary:

The Manager of Environmental Permitting and Sustainable Development will serve as BNSF’s subject-matter-expert managing the environmental permitting activities for engineering construction and expansion projects across the BNSF Network.

This role will collaborate across BNSF’s operations, with a focus on supporting our Engineering Services, Signals/Telecom, Economic Development, and Environmental Operations Teams, to develop and apply sustainable design elements to responsively avoid impacts and/or minimize the permitting time and effort to construct these projects.

In partnership with, and reporting to BNSF’s Director of Environmental Permitting and Sustainable Development, the Manager serves as:
• Subject Matter Expert
, for BNSF’s Permitting and Sustainable Development Program, providing permitting guidance to our Engineering, Operations, and Economic Development partners, and external environmental permitting consultants.
• Advocate and Co-Lead
, for BNSF’s Permitting Center of Excellence to proactively guide construction and expansion permitting/restoration projects and assure compliance with environmental conditions placed on permits by regulatory agencies, limiting possible legal liability.
• Champion
, to continuously improve and incorporate Sustainable Development principles and practices into BNSF’s engineering construction and land development efforts, leveraging the sustainability advantages of rail to support growth.
• Creator
, of permitting principles and best practices that include our Sustainable Development Playbook to avoid/minimize overall environmental impact, reduce permitting timelines, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Collaborator
, with federal and state environmental permitting agency partners, community and tribal representatives, and internal BNSF and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities may include:

The Manager will support the day-to-day implementation, monitoring, and measurement of BNSF’s Environmental Permitting and Sustainable Development program, that includes:
• Managing BNSF’s environmental permitting portfolio and collaborating across our operations teams, focused on federal and state environmental permitting regulations, inclusive of but not limited to:
• The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Section 404 permitting programs and related permits.
• Other clearances and permits and the laws requiring them (e.g., Endangered Species Act – Section 7, Flood Control Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act – Section 106).
• State permitting regulations (e.g., California Environmental Quality Act – CEQA, and Washington State Environmental Policy Act – SEPA)
• Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act's (ICCTA) preemption clause and STB and federal court decisions regarding that clause, and general environmental issues.
• Communicating directly and clearly to…