What are the responsibilities and job description for the NEPA Specialist position at Sunstone Environmental Solutions?
We're hiring a NEPA Specialist.
Sunstone is a growing environmental consulting firm based in Reno, Nevada. We work on meaningful mining projects across the Western U.S. with a team that's collaborative, experienced, and genuinely enjoys what we do. We trust our people to get the work done, and we want them to have a life outside of it. If you're looking for a place where you can take real ownership and be part of building something lasting, we'd like to hear from you.
What You'll Do
NEPA & Permitting Leadership Lead NEPA and permitting efforts on active mining projects from early exploration through development. Prepare and manage NEPA documentation including Categorical Exclusions (CatEx), Environmental Assessments (EA), and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), along with associated permitting documents such as Plans of Operations (PoO), Notices, and other regulatory submittals.
Permitting Coordination & Project Support Coordinate permitting teams, manage deliverables, and assist with project management tasks. Integrate NEPA compliance with other permitting requirements while tracking administrative records and ensuring all deliverables meet regulatory standards.
Resource Analysis & Document Development Conduct resource impact analyses and review scientific data across biological, cultural, water, air, socioeconomic, visual, and other disciplines. Draft high-quality NEPA sections and technical documents, critically evaluating information for NEPA sufficiency and identifying any additional data needs.
Agency & Stakeholder Coordination Navigate the NEPA and permitting process with federal and state agencies (BLM, USFS, NDEP, etc.), including scoping, public involvement, comment response, and direct agency coordination. Attend meetings and site visits with agencies and clients as needed.
Team Collaboration & Delivery Work closely with project managers, resource specialists, GIS teams, and subcontractors to deliver defensible documents. Contribute to proposal development and support a variety of project-related tasks in a fast-paced environment.
This is the role for you if:
- You have solid experience preparing NEPA documents and permitting packages for mining or natural resource projects in the Western U.S.
- You understand how to move projects efficiently through federal and state regulatory processes (BLM, USFS, NDEP).
- You’re a strong technical writer who can translate complex environmental data into clear, defensible documents.
- You enjoy coordinating teams and managing deliverables in a collaborative yet independent setting.
- You’re self-directed, detail-oriented, and thrive in a hybrid environment with occasional travel to project sites.
What Makes This Role Different
- Ownership without layers. You'll operate with real responsibility across active development programs, not buried inside a large corporate hierarchy. Your decisions directly influence study outcomes and execution momentum.
- Growth opportunity. Gain broad exposure to the full project lifecycle in a mining consulting environment.
- Focused expertise with variety. Spend most of your time on NEPA, permitting, and coordination rather than being stretched across unrelated tasks.
- Autonomy with accountability. We trust experienced professionals to drive execution. Clear expectations, real trust, no micromanagement.
- Performance-driven environment. Strong execution, sound judgment, and disciplined project management are recognized and compensated accordingly.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, or related discipline
- 3–7 years of direct NEPA and environmental permitting experience in environmental consulting or regulatory roles.
- Strong preference for candidates with mining industry experience in the Western United States.
- Demonstrated experience with CatEx, EA, and/or EIS preparation and supporting Plan of Operations documents.
- Solid working knowledge of BLM, USFS, and Nevada environmental regulations.
- Excellent technical writing, communication, and project coordination skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and Outlook.
- Willingness to travel occasionally to remote project sites.
What We Offer
- Company-paid medical, dental, and vision
- 401(k) with 4% company match
- Flexible PTO structured around delivering results, not logging hours
- A lean, high-trust team that rewards performance over politics
- A role that grows with you, we're building something here and the right person will have a hand in shaping it
📍 Northern Nevada | Hybrid with periodic site travel across Nevada and the Western U.S.