Sr Mgr Env Permitting & Sustainability

Apply early as this job may be removed or filled prior to the closing date, which is approximately seven (7) days after the posting date.

Job Location: TBD

Anticipated Start Date: 12/16/2026

Number of Positions: 1

Salary Range: $128,430 - $142,700

Salary Band: 31

Communication with applicants may be done via email. Please check your email daily.

We are committed to a culture where all employees are included, belong, and have equal opportunity to achieve their full potential. Career development is a lifelong process. That''s one of the many exciting and rewarding aspects of working on our railroad. Regardless of where we work or what we do, we always have an opportunity to continue to learn and grow.

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager of Environmental Permitting & Sustainable Development will serve as BNSF's subject-matter-expert managing the environmental permitting activities for construction and expansion projects across the BNSF Network. Primary permitting focus areas for these projects includes, but is not limited to, US Army Corps wetlands and waterway permits, Section 106, Floodplain Development, US Coast Guard, endangered species consultation and protection.

This role will collaborate across BNSF's operations, with a focus on supporting our Engineering Services, Engineering Structures and Public Projects, Signals/Telecom, and Environmental Operations Teams, to implement environmental permitting process flows to reduce permitting time and impact, improve efficiency, and ensure compliance during these projects.

The Senior Manager will serve as BNSF's:

• Subject Matter Expert, for BNSF's Permitting Program, providing permitting guidance to our Engineering, Operations, and Economic Development partners, and external environmental permitting consultants.
• Advocate and Co-Lead, for BNSF's Permitting Center of Excellence to proactively guide construction and expansion permitting/restoration projects and assure compliance with environmental conditions placed on permits by regulatory agencies, limiting possible legal liability.
• Champion, to continuously improve and incorporate Sustainable Development principles and practices into BNSF's engineering construction and land development efforts, leveraging the sustainability advantages of rail to support growth.
• Creator, of permitting principes and best practices that include our Sustainable Development Playbook to avoid/minimize overall environmental impact, reduce permitting timelines, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Collaborator, with federal and state environmental permitting agency partners, community and tribal representatives, and internal BNSF and external stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities:

The Senior Manager will support the day-to-day implementation, monitoring, and measurement of BNSF's Environmental Permitting and Sustainable Development program, that includes:

• Managing BNSF's environmental permitting portfolio and collaborating across our operations teams, focused on federal and state environmental permitting regulations, inclusive of but not limited to:

• The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations;

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers'' Section 404 permitting programs and related permits.

• Other clearances and permits and the laws requiring them (e.g., Endangered Species Act - Section 7, Flood Control Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act - Section 106).

• State permitting regulations (e.g., California Environmental Quality Act - CEQA, and Washington State Environmental Policy Act - SEPA)

• Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act''s (ICCTA) preemption clause and STB and federal court decisions regarding that clause, and general environmental issues.

• Communicating directly and clearly to multiple teams on the status of permit applications, project permit requirements, project timelines, and related compliance accountabilities to stakeholders

• Assuring compliance with environmental conditions placed on permits and associated restoration activities by regulatory agencies, and ensuring timely closeout of permits, minimizing cost and resources by unnecessarily keeping permits open.

• Leading Requests for Proposal for environmental construction permitting projects and engaging with BNSF project controls, invoicing, and sourcing team members.

• Supporting and continually improving BNSF's environmental permit tracking and scheduling program/systems to ensure that: (1) BNSF knows how many permits are currently open or have been applied for at any time; (2) Permits do not expire accidentally; (3) Permit conditions are complied with, limiting possible legal liability, and (4) Permit delays are proactively identified and resolved.

• Co-managing key relationships with environmental agencies, external community representatives, and other stakeholders.

• Supporting development of training materials and participating in outreach activities to diverse internal and external audiences concerning BNSF's environmental permitting program and related sustainable practices. Serving as an internal BNSF subject-matter-expert for Environmental Permitting, monitoring emerging regulations, trends, programs, and issues.

The duties and responsibilities in this posting are representative categories to be used in deciding whether to apply for this position. This is not an exhaustive list of the position's duties.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree or Bachelor of Engineering, Environmental Science or related field required.
• Master of Science or Master of Engineering, Environmental Science or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience, particularly with environmental permitting or structures engineering.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, to quickly build partnerships and forge trust with environmental staff, other BNSF departments, external consultants and contractors, and government agencies.
• Extensive and demonstrated knowledge of federal and state environmental permitting regulations, inclusive of but not limited to:
• The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing regulations.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers'' Section 404 permitting program and related permits.
• Other clearances and permits and the laws requiring them (e.g., Endangered Species Act - Section 7, Flood Control Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act - Section 106).
• Independent, self-motivated individual with a basis for collaboration and action.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills (e.g., MS Office, GIS, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with the following is beneficial, but not required:
• State permitting regulations (e.g., California Environmental Quality Act - CEQA, and Washington State Environmental Policy Act - SEPA)
• Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act''s (ICCTA) preemption clause and STB and federal court decisions regarding that clause, and general environmental issues.
• Familiarity with railroad operations or other transportation industries
• Familiarity with railroad engineering/construction standards and operations and capacity planning, a plus.

At BNSF, you will have access to a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including:

• An industry-leading 401(k) and renowned Railroad Retirement program.
• A range of robust health care options for you and your dependents (including domestic partners), including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, mental health, cancer support, and high-quality care network options.
• Health care spending accounts (HSA) with employer contributions, as well as life and disability insurance, provided at no cost.
• Family benefits including parental, pediatric and family building support, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, and dependent care spending account (with employer match).
• Access to discounts on travel, gym memberships, counseling services and wellness support.
• Annual bonus (Incentive Compensation Program)
• Generous leave / time off policies.
• For more information, visit Benefits.

Federal authority requires BNSF employees, whose work requires unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities, to obtain a TWIC. More information is available at https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic