Monitoring Program Manager

Position: Monitoring Program Manager

Who We Are

MLJ Environmental is a small consulting firm based in Sacramento, California, with over 25 years of experience safeguarding communities and natural resources. We simplify regulatory compliance with innovative approaches to science and data. Our staff are innovative problem solvers who thrive on new challenges.

We are seeking a Monitoring Program Manager to lead MLJ's surface water and groundwater monitoring programs, with primary responsibility for program-level leadership, performance, and strategic oversight of the Sampling Team across multiple regulatory and special studies projects. The ideal candidate has strong experience managing environmental monitoring operations, a track record of developing staff and growing programs, and a commitment to technical quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

In this role, you'll supervise the Sampling Coordinator and Sampling Team, oversee monitoring designs and implementation including logistics and quality control, and drive program growth by expanding existing work and pursuing new monitoring projects. You'll work closely with the Project Managers, the QA Officer, Operational and Technical Program Managers, and the AQUA-Science Laboratory Director to ensure monitoring activities align with project objectives, regulatory requirements, and client expectations. This position is preferred to be in office with hybrid opportunities. It requires routine coordination with field staff, regular presence in the warehouse, and occasional travel within California to support field operations, site visits, and client or stakeholder meetings. Please note that we are a dog-friendly office.

Schedule and Salary

The annual salary is $110,000-$130,000, based on experience. Full-time employment benefits include health, vision, dental, and life insurance. Additional benefits include paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, 401k, and profit-sharing plans.

Responsibilities

1. Monitoring Program Oversight

a. Set program direction, standards, and performance expectations.

b. Oversee planning, budgets, staffing strategy, and system optimization.

c. Evaluate performance across programs and implements improvements.

d. Supervise Sampling Coordinator and ensures consistency across projects.

e. Collaborate with the QA Officer to support calibration, quality control checks, and responses to QA findings.

f. Contribute to strategic positioning of MLJ’s monitoring services, including integration with data systems, laboratory services and regulatory trends.

g. Establish program-level KPIs (safety, data quality, efficiency, utilization) and hold Sampling Coordinator accountable for achieving targets.

2. Sampling Operations and Logistics

a. Provide oversight of day-to-day sampling operations conducted by the Sampling Coordinator, ensuring alignment with program priorities, schedules and quality expectations.

b. Establish standards and systems for management of sampling equipment, consumables, and field documentation, and ensure implementation by Sampling Coordinator.

c. Establish and enforce standards for warehouse organization, inventory management, and vehicle maintenance, and ensure Sampling Coordinator implements and maintains these systems.

d. Define performance metrics for sampling operations from sample collection to sample delivery (efficiency, staffing utilization, error rates) and direct strategic process improvements based on trend analysis, leveraging the Sampling Coordinator's operational assessments and recommendations.

e. Direct the development of, standardize, and approve standard operating procedures (SOPs), field manuals, and checklists for sampling activities, vehicle use, and warehouse operations and ensure consistent implementation across all programs.

3. Team Leadership and Staff Development

a. Provide direct supervision and leadership to the Sampling Coordinator including setting priorities, defining roles, and ensuring alignment with program goals.

b. Establish clear lines of responsibility and escalation pathways between Sampling Coordinator and field staff.

c. Develop and implement staffing strategies including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and long-term team structure planning.

d. Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching focused on technical growth, leadership development, and accountability.

e. Foster a culture of safety, ownership, and continuous improvement, reinforcing expectations across all levels of the Sampling Team.

4. Program Growth

a. Identify and pursue opportunities to expand monitoring programs, including new clients, regulatory drivers, and service offerings.

b. Lead development of sampling scopes, staffing approaches, and cost estimates for proposals and new work.

c. Align monitoring capabilities with MLJ’s broader services, including data systems, laboratory coordination, and regulatory compliance support.

d. Evaluate program performance to identify scalable efficiencies and new service opportunities.

e. Contribute to MLJ’s strategic positioning as a leader in integrated monitoring, data, and compliance solutions.

Qualifications

We're looking for a candidate who brings both technical leadership and program management skills to the team.

Minimum Experience:

· Five years of work in any combination of a science driven field, such as biological,
chemical, physical, or environmental science, soil science, water science,
hydrology, agronomy, natural resource science, environmental, physical
geography with a level of responsibility equivalent to a Sampling Coordinator; and

· Possession of a bachelor's or advanced degree with a major in a biological,
chemical, physical, or environmental science, soil science, water science,
hydrology, agronomy, natural resource science, environmental or public health,
physical geography, or a closely related scientific discipline. (Admission to a
masters or doctoral degree program in a biological, chemical, physical, or
environmental science, soil science, water science, hydrology, agronomy, natural
resource science, environmental or public health, physical geography, or a closely
related scientific discipline shall be considered to meet these education
qualifications.)

Required Skills:

• Strong experience managing environmental monitoring programs, including surface water and/or groundwater sampling operations
• Demonstrated ability to supervise field teams, set performance expectations, and develop staff
• Knowledge of sampling designs, quality assurance/quality control protocols, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Experience with budgeting, staffing strategy, and operational planning for monitoring programs
• Familiarity with environmental regulations and monitoring requirements in California (e.g., ILRP, SGMA)
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Bachelor's degree in a biological, chemical, physical, or environmental science, hydrology, water science, or a closely related discipline

Preferred Skills:

• ·Experience growing or expanding environmental monitoring programs and developing new client relationships
• Familiarity with laboratory coordination, sample handling protocols, and chain of custody procedures
• Background in developing SOPs, field manuals, and operational documentation
• Experience with data systems and platforms used in environmental monitoring and compliance
• Advanced degree in a related scientific discipline

To Apply

Please send your 1) resume, and 2) contact information for three references to Trisha Turner (tturner@mljenvironmental.com). In your email, please reference where you learned about this position. Applications missing any of the required information may not be considered.

Pay: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have at least 5 years of experience in a science-based field (such as environmental, water, soil, hydrology, or related disciplines) with responsibilities equivalent to coordinating or leading field sampling operations?
• Have you supervised field staff or coordinated a sampling team (including scheduling, logistics, or oversight)?
• Do you have direct experience with surface water and/or groundwater sampling programs?

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Managing projects/programs incl. ops & budgeting: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $110,000 - $130,000