Environmental Inspector Lead

Job Summary

The Lead Environmental Inspector (LEI) provides technical leadership and coordination for environmental inspection activities supporting electric and gas construction. This role builds on Senior Environmental Inspector responsibilities by guiding inspectors, coordinating coverage and assignments, supporting quality and safety, and serving as a subject matter expert for environmental compliance.

Review environmental compliance plans and provide technical guidance during preconstruction, constructability, scoping, and field activities. Conduct and document environmental inspections and audits, including photographs, findings, corrective actions, and required certifications. Evaluate erosion and sediment controls, water-resource crossings, sensitive-resource protections, spill response, waste and spoil management, and other permit requirements. Monitor restoration activities, including grading, topsoil management, soil decompaction, seeding, habitat restoration, and sampling results.

Communicate requirements and inspection results to contractors, project teams, leaders, and environmental resource specialists. Develop corrective actions and continuous-improvement recommendations to reduce environmental risk and improve compliance. Train, coach, mentor, and evaluate inspectors; review reports for quality and completeness; and support candidate interviews and hiring recommendations. Coordinate inspector assignments, schedules, meetings, and project coverage with the Team Leader and represent the inspection team in stakeholder meetings.

Maintain required licenses, certifications, and operator qualifications; travel to project sites and provide support outside normal work hours or assigned areas when needed.

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources/Management, Ecology, or a related field. At least five years of environmental or stormwater inspection experience, including at least two years supporting utility construction. Knowledge of environmental compliance, natural-resource permitting, erosion and sediment controls, water-resource crossings, restoration practices, and construction plans. Experience leading work, facilitating groups, coaching others, analyzing data, making sound decisions, and driving corrective actions and continuous improvement.

Strong written, verbal, presentation, planning, organizational, and stakeholder communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn and use digital inspection and collaboration tools. Valid driver’s license and ability to travel, work at construction sites and utility rights-of-way, and support work outside normal hours when required. Ability to obtain and maintain required NiSource operator qualifications and applicable environmental or stormwater inspection certifications.

Supervisory or formal team‑lead experience. Enviro Cert International CESSWI or CPESC certification. Applicable state‑issued stormwater or land‑disturbance inspector certification.

Work includes frequent travel to construction sites and utility rights‑of‑way, walking over uneven terrain, driving, using digital devices, and communicating with project teams. Overnight travel and work outside the standard schedule may be required. This description is not intended to list every duty or responsibility of the position. As a public utility, NiSource provides essential services to customers 24/7. Emergency needs can arise at various times throughout the year, including during storm season.

Employees may be required to support emergency response efforts, which could include…