Sarah Soard

About Sarah Soard

Originally from Lincoln, NE (Go Big Red!), I moved to Atchison, KS to attend Benedictine College. It was there that my biology professors inspired my love of wetlands and field work. In hopes of finding employment that would actually utilize my degree, I obtained a Master’s Degree in Botany from Emporia State University.After finishing my MS, I joined Burns & McDonnell as a wetland scientist and quickly learned the ins and outs of wetlands permitting. I also served as Department Manager for the environmental permitting staff had the opportunity to grow our group and hire extremely talented new professionals to train and mentor. In 2014, I moved my family to Chicago and took over as Manager of Environmental Studies & Permitting for Burns & McDonnell’s Chicago Offices, where I again had the opportunity to lead a growing team of environmental professionals. In 2018, I was given the opportunity to move back home to KC and am now back at Burns & Mac world headquarters. I am a certified Professional Wetland Scientist by the Society of Wetland Scientists and have over 18 years of experience in environmental permitting across many different industries and project types. I have two beautiful daughters that keep me constantly on my toes and we love exploring the world around us. They are fascinated with learning about how the world works and I love their scientific minds. During my down time, I enjoy traveling with my friends and family, touring wineries/breweries, and exploring the local food and drink culture. I also enjoy playing the guitar, reading books, camping, attending concerts, and most anything that provides a new adventure.Burns & McDonnell is a 100% employee-owned, award-winning engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting services firm headquartered in Kansas City, MO with offices nationwide. I have spent my entire career at Burns & McDonnell and have loved every minute of it. If you’d like to learn more about our firm, please contact me.

Experience

1. Technical Services Director for Environmental Services

   Burns & McDonnell

   Mar 2023 — Present · Kansas City, MO, US

   I always seem to wear multiple hats and fill many rolls during my career at Burns & McDonnell. In addition to my previous roles, I have been promoted to our Technical Services Director for Burns & McDonnell\'s Environmental Services practice. In this role I am expanding beyond my wetlands roots to oversee the technical knowledge and collaboration across all of our technical service areas. This includes: Air Quality & Noise, EHS Compliance & Inspection, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Studies, Remediation, Stakeholder Management Services, Innovative Solutions, Sustainability, and of course, Natural & Cultural Resouces.

Education

• Benedictine College

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Biology, General

  1998

• Emporia State University

  MS, Botany

  1999 — 2001

• Benedictine College

  BS, Biology

  1994 — 1998

Skills

• Field Work
• Botany
• Erosion Control
• Spatial Analysis
• Water Quality
• Environmental Science
• Gps
• Gis
• Strategic Thinking
• Sampling
• Groundwater
• Designs
• Remediation
• Phase I
• Water Resources
• Construction
• Stormwater Management
• Environmental Management Systems
• Mitigation
• Arcgis
• Environmental Compliance
• Site Plans
• Ecological Restoration
• Environmental Permitting
• Wetland Monitoring
• Environmental Awareness
• Environmental Planning
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Water
• Soil
• System Monitoring
• Project Management
• Environmental Consulting
• Endangered Species
• Wetland Design & Construction
• Ecology
• Wetlands
• Nepa
• Surveying
• Environmental Policy