Senior Lead Environmental Scientist

Hanson Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Senior Lead Environmental Scientist in Indianapolis, IN. The role involves leading complex environmental projects, conducting field surveys, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Candidates should have strong knowledge of NEPA and other environmental laws, excellent communication skills, and a degree in a related field with 8+ years of experience. The position includes mentoring junior staff and participating in client meetings.
Hanson Values

Integrity | Commitment | Quality | Relationships | Innovation

If you're looking for a firm that encourages innovative thinking and challenges you every day, with an opportunity to learn and advance, a career at Hanson is right for you. The belief in sustainability within our company's practices creates a focus on client success and partnerships that are important to our communities and our environment.

A Day in Life of a Senior Lead Environmental Scientist at Hanson

Here's a snapshot of what you would do in this role:
• Contribute to impactful infrastructure, transportation, power, water, and land development projects.
• Lead and manage complex environmental projects from planning through delivery.
• Conduct and oversee environmental modeling, field surveys, data analysis, and technical studies.
• Prepare, review, and certify technical reports, categorical exclusions (CEs), environmental assessments (EAs), and environmental permit applications.
• Develop scopes, schedules, budgets, and ensure project delivery meets quality and regulatory expectations.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local environmental regulations, including:
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
• Clean Water Act
• Endangered Species Act
• National Historic Preservation Act
• RCRA and related state-level environmental laws
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies, including IDEM, USACE, USFWS, EPA, and local municipalities.
• Lead wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species assessments, habitat evaluations, Phase I ESAs, and other field investigations.
• Serve as a technical advisor and trusted consultant to clients across multiple markets.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including engineers, planners, surveyors, and GIS specialists.
• Mentor and manage junior environmental staff, support internal training and technical development.
• Assist in proposal development, including technical writing, project approach, and cost estimating.
• Participate in client meetings, presentations, and industry events representing Hanson's environmental capabilities.
• Help grow Hanson's environmental practice in Indiana and surrounding regions.

What We're Looking For

We feel the following qualifications would set you up for success in this role:

Skills:
• Strong knowledge of NEPA, CWA Section 404/401 permitting, ESA compliance, and other major environmental laws.
• Demonstrated experience with fieldwork and technical reporting.
• Excellent communication, technical writing, and client interaction skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary project teams.
• Ability to travel for project-related work (primarily regional).
• Professional certifications such as PWS, CEP, CPESC, CHMM, or similar preferred.
• Experience in transportation, utility, energy, federal, or municipal project environments.
• Familiarity with GIS applications, ecological modeling, or advanced environmental analysis tools preferred.

Education/Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, natural resources, environmental engineering, or related field. Master's degree preferred.
• 8+ years of relevant environmental consulting or regulatory agency experience.

Salary range: $85,000 - $115,000
Benefits

Our focus on people means we offer a generous benefits program to help you create a solid foundation for health and security throughout your career, including:
• Competitive compensation
• Performance bonuses
• 401(k) with matching contribution
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Comprehensive health & well-being plans
• Financial wellness plans
• Work-life balance programs

Want to know more? Visit our benefits page for all the details.

Culture

We understand that selecting a job is about more than the day-to-day tasks. It's important to feel like you belong and safe to grow and progress along your career path. You'll find that at Hanson. We have an inclusive, diverse workforce awaiting to connect with you and numerous opportunities to cultivate your career, including:
• Monthly educational webinars
• Leadership training
• Lunch & learn development sessions
• 24/7 access to thousands of skill-building courses
• Mentorship opportunities
• Award-winning internship program
• Employee recognition
• And so much more!

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EEO - EMPLOYER

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies/staffing firms. Resumes are only accepted from recruiters and agency/staffing firms if a signed agreement is in place at the inception of the recruiting effort and authorized for a specified position.