Project Manager - Soil & Groundwater

Communities are fundamental. Whether around the corner or across the globe, they provide a foundation, a sense of place and of belonging. That’s why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind. We care about the communities we serve—because they’re our communities too. 

We’re designers, engineers, scientists, and project managers, innovating together at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. Balancing these priorities results in projects that advance the quality of life in communities across the globe.

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We’re a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work that’s critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead soil and groundwater remediation, environmental site assessment, and brownfield cleanup projects from our Des Moines, Iowa office. The ideal candidate will have 5 to 10 years of relevant experience managing contaminated-site investigation and remediation projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, working with regulatory agencies, and supporting clients through assessment, cleanup planning, implementation, and redevelopment activities.

This role is well suited for an environmental professional who enjoys combining technical problem-solving, client service, field execution, regulatory strategy, and project delivery. The Project Manager will support public- and private-sector clients on projects involving petroleum, chlorinated solvents, metals, emerging contaminants, hazardous building materials, and other environmental conditions affecting soil, groundwater, soil vapor, and redevelopment properties.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage environmental investigation, remediation, and brownfield redevelopment projects, including scope, schedule, budget, quality, safety, and client expectations.
  • Plan and oversee Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, limited site investigations, subsurface investigations, soil and groundwater sampling programs, vapor intrusion evaluations, and remedial investigations.
    • Develop and implement remedial strategies for contaminated soil, groundwater, and soil vapor, including excavation, in-situ treatment, monitored natural attenuation, engineering controls, institutional controls, and long-term monitoring.
    • Prepare and review technical work plans, sampling and analysis plans, health and safety plans, quality assurance project plans, remedial action plans, closure reports, and regulatory submittals.
    • Coordinate field activities involving drilling contractors, laboratories, surveyors, remediation contractors, subcontractors, and internal technical staff.
    • Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, regulators, local governments, property owners, developers, and other project stakeholders.
    • Support brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects, including due diligence, environmental liability evaluation, cleanup planning, grant-supported assessment activities, and reuse planning.
    • Evaluate environmental data, identify contamination sources and migration pathways, assess regulatory compliance, and recommend practical cleanup alternatives.
    • Lead project meetings, prepare proposals, develop cost estimates, manage change orders, and support business development activities.
• Mentor junior staff and support a collaborative, safety-focused, and quality-driven project delivery culture.

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, geology, hydrogeology, environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5 to 10 years of progressive experience in environmental consulting, contaminated-site investigation, remediation, brownfield redevelopment, or related environmental project work.
• Demonstrated experience managing soil and groundwater projects, including field programs, technical deliverables, budgets, schedules, and subcontractors
• Working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations applicable to contaminated sites, brownfields, petroleum releases, hazardous substances, and environmental due diligence.
• Experience preparing or reviewing Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, remedial action plans, regulatory reports, and client-ready technical documents.
• Strong technical writing, verbal communication, organization, and client-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining quality, safety, and profitability.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites in Iowa and the surrounding region as needed.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Professional licensure or certification such as Professional Geologist, Professional Engineer, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, or the ability to obtain licensure.
• Experience working with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and other state regulatory bodies, United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, local governments, municipalities, developers, and industrial, oil and gas, or utility clients.
• Familiarity with brownfield grant-funded projects, community-wide assessment programs, cleanup alternatives analysis, and redevelopment planning.
• Experience with ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessment standards, Phase II investigation design, risk-based corrective action, vapor intrusion assessment, and contaminated site investigation, remediation, and materials management.
• 40-hour HAZWOPER certification and current annual refresher training.
• Experience supporting proposal development, client interviews, grant applications, and business development for environmental services.

Desired Skills & Attributes 

• Practical, solutions-oriented approach to environmental cleanup and redevelopment challenges.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and regulatory issues clearly to clients, regulators, contractors, and community stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and commitment to high-quality deliverables.
• Comfortable balancing office-based project management with periodic field oversight.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to mentor staff and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to health, safety, environmental stewardship, and responsible community redevelopment.

Work Environment & Travel

This position will be based in Des Moines, Iowa, and will include a mix of office work, client and regulatory meetings, field oversight, and project-site visits. Local and regional travel may be required for site investigations, construction oversight, sampling events, client meetings, and business development activities.

Why Join Us

You will have the opportunity to manage meaningful environmental projects that protect public health, restore underutilized properties, support community revitalization, and help clients move complex redevelopment projects forward. This role offers the chance to grow as a technical and client-facing leader while contributing to practical, sustainable cleanup solutions across Iowa and the surrounding Midwest region.

Application Materials

Interested candidates should submit a resume and brief cover letter describing relevant project management experience, technical expertise in soil and groundwater remediation, brownfield cleanup experience, professional licensure or certifications, and availability to work from the Des Moines, Iowa office.