Assistant Project Environmental Planner

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is expanding our team and actively looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion in delivering the highest-quality project work. Our Durango, CO or Alburquerque, NM offices are looking for a self-motivated Assistant Project Environmental Planner with attention to detail and strong communication skills. Individuals need to be willing and able to work with peers across various offices and accomplish tasks associated with a variety of projects in any given week. The ability to work directly with clients is imperative. The interest in pursuing new business is also desirable.

This is a permanent full-time, regular position, reporting to our Senior Environmental Planner out of our Albuquerque, NM office.

Our Vision (the North Star)****:  Help drive SWCA to be the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership.

Core Values: We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture.

Purpose**:** Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story.

What you will accomplish

You will be responsible for performing environmental impact analyses, facilitating public and agency outreach, and providing quality assurance and leadership during the development of Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). Specific responsibilities include:

1. Contribute to preparing EAs and EISs addressing the development for a wide variety of projects, revision of federal resource management plans (RMPs) and land use plans, issuance of rights-of-way, approvals, and/or leases, policy amendments, etc. In addition, this position will help lead, write, and manage tasks for the preparation of NEPA documents related to projects managed by federal agencies or for those that occur on federal lands.
2. Support business line growth objectives and lead the development of EAs and EISs, including NEPA documents, for business lines that may include land use planning, generation, transmission, mining, and others.
3. Assist teams by providing technical assistance for the preparation of key aspects of NEPA documents and the NEPA process, including Pre-NOI activities and project planning; development of the description of the proposed action and purpose and need; NEPA document structuring and content planning; public scoping; public comment review and response; and Records of Decisions and Findings of No Significant Impact.
4. Demonstrate excellent teamwork and professionalism while contributing at the project, team, and office level.
5. Provide expertise to SWCA project managers on NEPA projects.
6. Provide local and regional support by contributing to business development pursuits and proposals.

Experience and qualifications for success

We seek a team member who brings with her/him/they the demonstrated experience in regional/city environmental analysis, and agency consultation. We seek the following specific qualities:

REQUIRED

• A minimum of 2 years of planning experience from either the public/municipal or private sectors.  Experience should include county level planning projects; participating in meetings with clients and agencies; supporting project teams; preparation of technical studies and NEPA or related planning documents; and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules.
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, urban planning, environmental science, biology, environmental science, natural resource management, geology, or another science-related field.

HELPFUL

• A working understanding of agency internal processes and procedures and positive existing relationships with federal land management and regulatory agencies, such as the BLM, BOEM, USFS, NPS, BOR, DOE, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is strongly preferred.
• A working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations including NEPA, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the ability to support project preparation of plans to satisfy regulatory compliance.
• Experience with public lands, natural resource issues, wind and solar projects, transportation projects, and/or oil and gas projects in the western US.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization, schedule, and budget management skills.
• Experience with supporting business development with federal agencies, RMPs, mining, oil and gas, and renewable energy developers or other non-federal applicants that seek permits or leases from federal agencies helpful.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

In accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (EPEWA), we are disclosing a good faith estimate of the compensation range for roles that will be, or could be, performed in Colorado.

In Colorado, an employee in this position can expect an hourly rate between $26.00 and $32.00, depending on experience, geographic locations, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.  Employees in this position are eligible for consideration for SWCA’s annual bonus program, which provides awards based on individual and organizational performance.  To review additional benefits associated with this position, click here: https://www.swca.com/careers/totalrewards/benefits

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Seniority Level

Not Applicable

Not ready to apply? Connect with us for general consideration.