Managing Consultant, Scientist

Shape a more sustainable energy future by bringing your biological and ecological expertise to projects that matter. 

ERM is seeking a motivated Managing Consultant, Scientist to join our global consulting firm in Rolling Meadows, IL. In this role, you will have a meaningful impact on energy projects, including renewable energy and electric transmission, by applying your biological expertise to environmental impact assessments, permitting, compliance, and ecological field studies. You will work closely with Project Managers while gaining experience across sectors, clients, geographies, and services, helping you build an individualized career path at ERM. 

Why This Role Matters? 

As a Managing Consultant at ERM, you will provide biological and ecological expertise that helps clients navigate complex environmental requirements and advance energy infrastructure responsibly. ERM’s collaborative culture promotes knowledge sharing, best practices, and ongoing learning opportunities while giving you exposure to a variety of projects and clients. 

What Your Impact Is: 

You will provide senior biological leadership on environmental impact assessments and support the planning, permitting, compliance, and delivery of power, oil and gas, renewable energy, electric transmission, and sustainability-related projects. You will collaborate with Project Managers, Partners-in-Charge, clients, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders to support high-quality project outcomes. 

What You'll Bring: 

Required 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in biology, environmental studies, planning, or related natural resources science or natural history field of study, or equivalent experience. 

• 4–6 years of consulting or applicable experience with capital project development, especially with impact assessment from a biological perspective. 

• Experience with federal, state, and local permitting is required. 

• Working knowledge of key regulations, including National Environment Policy Act, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. 

• Strong working knowledge of MS Office Suite software. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage project teams and delivery. 

• Proven client relationship skills. 

• Keen attention to detail, data management, and organizational skills. 

• Ability to assess risk, anticipate issues, and make tactical and strategic decisions. 

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including being comfortable and effective at communicating complex technical knowledge and concepts to other staff, clients, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders. 

• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide senior biological related leadership on environmental impact assessments for power, oil and gas and renewable energy and sustainability-related projects. 

• Prepare plans, permits, and reports for wetlands and threatened and endangered species consultations and surveys for renewable energy and associated electric transmission projects. 

• Perform environmental compliance assessments and implement follow-up corrective actions to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. 

• Conduct field work, including ecological field studies. 

• Provide general environmental compliance support to clients, including on-site assistance, as needed. 

• Compile and evaluate data and assist in report preparation. 

• Perform project tasks within scope/budget/schedule expectations and ensure quality standards on project deliverables. 

• Support ERM Partners-in-Charge and Project Managers to deliver exceptional client value on projects. 

For the Managing Consultant, Scientist position, the anticipated annual base pay is $92,500–$124,300 (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 subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible). 

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

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!

#LI-Hybrid