ERM

Senior Consultant, Scientist

Walnut Creek, California Full time

Are you ready to lead high-impact programs that shape the future of sustainable energy? At ERM, you’ll join a collaborative team committed to delivering sustainable solutions for complex environmental challenges. If you thrive in a dynamic setting and enjoy leading large-scale programs that make a measurable impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Why This Role Matters

ERM is seeking an experienced Senior Consultant, Scientist, Program Manager to oversee vegetation management permitting programs for power sector clients in Northern California. This is your opportunity to drive strategic alignment, streamline complex processes, and deliver measurable results that keep critical infrastructure running smoothly and responsibly.

What Your Impact Is

As Program Manager, you’ll be the cornerstone of a regional program—guiding strategy, ensuring compliance, and fostering collaboration across environmental, operational, and client teams. You’ll manage a portfolio of permitting activities under a unified framework, champion process improvements, and serve as the trusted advisor to client leadership. Your work will directly influence program efficiency, regulatory adherence, and the success of large-scale initiatives.

What You’ll Bring

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Business, Project Management, or related field. Or equivalent experience.

  • Minimum 3 years leading cross-functional teams in consulting, utility, or environmental services.

  • Proven ability to manage multi-project programs and lead multidisciplinary teams.

  • Strong organizational and strategic planning skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.

  • Excellent communication and client engagement skills, with a track record of building strong relationships.

  • Proficiency in program and project management tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, Excel), GIS platforms, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred

  • Master’s degree in a related field.

  • PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or similar leadership certifications.

  • 7+ years of program/project management experience in similar contexts.

Key Responsibilities

  • Co-lead a regional program team and oversee Project Managers, ensuring alignment with client objectives and contractual deliverables.

  • Own program strategy, performance, and delivery of all commitments under the contract.

  • Drive staff planning, resource allocation, and organizational structure to support program success.

  • Serve as a primary liaison with client leadership counterparts, maintaining proactive communication and strategic alignment.

  • Facilitate collaboration across environmental, operational, and permitting teams to resolve constraints and maintain compliance.

  • Manage budgets, forecasting, and financial performance; ensure accurate reporting and cost control.

  • Develop tools and dashboards to provide visibility into program status, risks, and performance metrics.

  • Establish QA/QC standards for permit packages and documentation; ensure adherence to municipal and environmental regulations.

  • Identify and implement opportunities to streamline workflows and improve permitting turnaround times.

  • Utilize MS Project and Excel for scheduling, tracking, and reporting; ensure familiarity with GIS and data workflows.

For the Senior Consultant, Scientist position, the anticipated annual base pay is $74,825–$96,901 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Note: Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.

Who We Are:
As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

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