What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Scientist, Mining, Water, and Environmental Services position at Aventia?
Who We Are:
KC Harvey Environmental (an Aventia company) is a rapidly expanding environmental consulting and field services firm based in Bozeman, Montana. We maintain regional operations in Alaska, Colorado, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, with additional remote teams working throughout the Rocky Mountains and Northern Great Plains.
Our team plays a vital role in supporting industries and agencies that rely on expert environmental permitting, reclamation, restoration, and remediation. As data‑driven innovators, we thrive on solving tough problems, charting new paths forward, and taking on the interesting, challenging work found across North and Central America.
Position Summary
Our Team is looking for a market-facing leader to help shape what’s next at the intersection of mining, water, and environmental services. This is a highly visible role for someone who enjoys being out in front of clients, building businesses, and leading teams—while still staying close to the technical work that matters.
This position brings together service-line leadership, principal-level technical expertise, and business development. You’ll work with marquee mining clients, expand high-value water and environmental services, and act as a trusted advisor on complex permitting, compliance, and resource challenges throughout North America. If you’re energized by growth, collaboration, and solving tough problems, this role offers real influence and autonomy.
What You’ll Do
Be a Subject Matter Expert
- Expand KC Harvey’s permitting, compliance, water management, and environmental services in the mining sector
- Track emerging issues in mining regulation, water management and security, reclamation, and infrastructure—and turn them into client opportunities
- Strengthen relationships with existing mining clients while opening doors to new ones
- Represent KC Harvey at industry events, client meetings, and regulatory forums
Drive Business Development and Client Growth
- Shape pursuit strategy, lead proposals, and present directly to clients
- Build long-term relationships with mining companies, operators, and partners
- Deliver measurable revenue growth through new business and account expansion
- Partner with firm leadership on strategic growth and market positioning
Lead Teams and Services
- Provide leadership for multidisciplinary teams
- Establish best practices, tools, and delivery standards that support sustainable growth
- Recruit, mentor, and develop scientists, project managers, and technical specialists
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and technical excellence
Serve as a Principal on Key Projects
- Act as Principal Scientist or Project Manager on complex, high-value mining projects
- Oversee scope, budget, schedule, risk, and quality from pursuit through close-out
- Provide senior technical review on reports, studies, and regulatory deliverables
- Ensure projects meet client expectations, regulatory requirements, and financial goals
Who You Are
You’re a confident, externally focused leader who thrives in client-facing roles. You’re as comfortable talking strategy with leadership as you are navigating regulators or mentoring technical teams. You enjoy building things—relationships, teams, and business lines—and want to leave your mark.
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, water resources, geology, geochemistry, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
- 15–20 years of environmental consulting experience, with a strong focus on mining
- A track record of winning work, growing accounts, and leading client relationships
- Deep expertise in mining-related water management, permitting, compliance, reclamation, or remediation
- Strong executive presence and communication skills
- Willingness to travel and stay actively engaged in the market
Why KC Harvey
- Be a key contributor to a collaborative culture that values expertise, initiative, and leadership
- Contribute to the growth of a respected and technically excellent nationwide team, by leading high-profile mining and water projects throughout North America .
- A competitive compensation aligned with experience and impact
- Strong benefits and continued professional development
- Significant opportunity for autonomy
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work Environment & Travel
- Clean driving record
- Willingness to accommodate routine travel, extended field assignments, and evolving project demands
- Hybrid or office-based work environment, with travel to project sites and client locations as needed (approx. 25-30%).
What You Will Get:
This is a full-time, salaried role with compensation commensurate with your experience and expertise. We offer a robust and competitive benefits package that includes a 401(k) with company match, comprehensive medical, dental, vision coverages as well as short and long-term disabilities, life insurance and flex spending account options.
You’ll also benefit from a generous paid time off program that includes nine paid holidays annually, vacation time, and wellness leave, along with strong support for continuing education and professional development.
If you’re looking for a role with real influence, room to grow, and a seat at the table—without losing touch with the technical work that drives results—we’d like to hear from you.