Environmental – Principal

Overview

As an Environmental  – Principal for Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) in our Franklin, TN office, you’ll lead the growth and strategic direction of our Environmental Practice across the Southeast region. You’ll oversee a diverse portfolio of projects spanning air, water, and waste, while building strong client relationships and expanding our service offerings. 

At CEC, every team member is personally invested in serving our clients with integrity, delivering results that matter, and growing meaningful careers. As employee-owners, we’re accountable not just for our work, but for creating an environment that supports and challenges one another. Our people are our priority — and that’s what drives us to collaborate effectively, think strategically, and build lasting relationships both internally and externally. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Support the growth and expansion of CEC’s Environmental Practice in the Southeast region 

• Develop new business opportunities while strengthening and managing existing client relationships 

• Manage complex environmental projects, including scope, schedule, and budget oversight 

• Provide regulatory liaison support with agencies such as TDEC, ADEM, MDEQ, GAEPD, and USEPA 

• Oversee contaminated site investigations, remediation efforts, and brownfield redevelopment projects 

• Guide environmental compliance efforts, including permitting, spill response planning, and multi-media monitoring 

• Direct geochemical evaluations of groundwater, surface water, and soils, including interpretation of analytical data and contaminant fate and transport 

• Oversee groundwater compliance evaluations and statistical analyses using industry-standard tools and platforms 

• Recruit, mentor, and develop technical and project management staff to support practice growth 

• Review and approve technical reports, regulatory submittals, and client deliverables 

• Manage project financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control 

Our Nashville office, located in Franklin, TN, is home to a passionate and growing team of professionals. Just minutes from downtown Nashville, Franklin offers small-town charm with easy access to all that Nashville has to offer. Known for top-rated schools and welcoming neighborhoods, the area is a great place to grow both personally and professionally. From outdoor recreation and live music to professional sports and dining, Middle Tennessee offers something for everyone. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Master’s degree required
• Minimum of 20 years of environmental consulting experience, including at least 5 years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role
• Current Tennessee licensure as Professional Engineer (P.E.), Professional Geologist (P.G.), Certified Industrial Hygienist (C.I.H.), or Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP)
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects, including budgeting, scheduling, and cost control
• Strong experience preparing and submitting regulatory documentation and technical reports
• Proven leadership experience supervising and developing technical and administrative staff
• Established relationships with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies

Preferred Capabilities:

• Experience building or significantly expanding an environmental practice, service line, or client base
• Strong background in RCRA investigations and corrective action programs
• Experience conducting environmental due diligence, compliance audits, and environmental management system evaluations
• Familiarity with EPA Unified Guidance and groundwater compliance methodologies
• Experience with groundwater data analysis tools and platforms such as Sanitas
• Active participation in professional organizations or industry associations
• Health and Safety / OSHA compliance experience

About Us

We have experts! CEC is consistently ranked as a Top 500 Design Firm and Top 200 Environmental Firm by Engineering News-Record. We are looking for people who enjoy using their education and experience to solve difficult technical problems and work on interesting projects. You can accomplish this while working with a team of professionals who are equally motivated to provide high levels of service to our clients and to teach you along the way.

We have support! We have a variety of Employee Resource Groups, including CEC Community – focused on giving back to the communities in which we work; CEC Ignite – focused on helping professionals early in their careers to develop their pathway; CEC iDEA – focused on inclusion, diversity, equality, and acceptance; and CEC Women – focused on creating internal and external opportunities for women to network and leverage professional experience!

We care about our people! People and Culture are two of the five elements of our strategic plan. When you care about your people, they will want to grow a career with you – that is our goal. CEC offers you a small-firm work environment with large-firm opportunities. Not only will we help you develop professionally, but we will also provide an opportunity to become an owner of the firm and share in its success.

CEC offers a matching 401(k); profit sharing; a performance bonus; company stock; medical, dental, and vision insurance; short and long-term disability; tuition assistance; professional development; and work-life balance.

CEC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.

THIRD PARTY RECRUITERS

If CEC has not expressly requested recruiting services or contractually engaged with you for recruiting services on a specific position, any resumes or candidate profiles sent to CEC shall be considered unsolicited.  Therefore, any such submissions will be considered property of CEC, with no associated fees due to your firm.