Environmental Planner

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking highly experienced, dynamic, self-motivated Environmental Planner (HR Title = Project Environmental Planner) with strong interpersonal skills, and experience in project permitting and at least some project management for our work in Minnesota.  This individual will  succesfully drive our projects through all phases from early planning and permitting through construction. This position should be based in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, but a remote working location for a person based in Minnesota will be welcome. Opportunities will be available to work with other offices in the region and across the country.

The Environmental Planner will have technical expertise in some of the following: permitting (including with the Public Utilities Commission), NEPA, facility siting and constraints studies, and agency interactions at all levels. Experience working in industries including electric utilities and renewable energy is highly valued. Required skills include the ability to manage large and complex projects and milestones within schedule and budget expectations and to primarily be responsible for QA/QC oversight. The Environmental Planner will be experienced in managing multiple components and multidisciplinary staff to complete project permitting requirements.

This is a regular, full-time, salaried position. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience. SWCA offers a team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries, and a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership retirement plan (ESOP).

Environmental Planners with more than the required experience listed below are also strongly encouraged to apply. These applicants would be considered for "lead-level" environmental planner positions, with additional responsibilities and compensation as appropriate.

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 aware

ness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals who 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

• Lead, oversee, and execute the permitting efforts for large electrical transmission, renewable energy, and other projects.
• Work closely with a project team to navigate permitting challenges and meet client needs
• Take initiative and resolve issues to ensure client needs are met effectively
• Lead and advise on the development of permitting strategies, provide QA/QC of deliverables, and lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide project technical support to more junior staff
• Serve as technical lead or project manager on a variety of projects
• Potentially manage small and mid-sized projects, including maintaining budgets, schedules, and quality of service
• Work closely with SWCA’s resource scientists, environmental planners, managers and directors in both natural and cultural resources throughout the company to promote SWCA’s business interests in adherence to its mission, vision, and values
• Implement and administer SWCA’s safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics

Experience and qualifications for success

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in planning, biology, environmental science, natural resource management, archaeology, anthropology, geology or other related field required;
• A minimum of seven (7) years combined experience of relevant industry experience in either the private (e.g., environmental consulting), utilities, or public sectors.
• Candidate should have an extensive working knowledge of federal and state laws (e.g., NEPA, NHPA, CWA, and ESA) governing natural resource management
• Demonstrated experience with federal agencies such as US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), US Forest Service (USFS), and/or US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and other state/local agencies is preferred
• Experience with staff and project team supervision.
• Experience and ability to manage multiple small projects or one larger project, in diverse settings and with changing requirements
• Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced work environment and desire to work in a highly collaborative team atmosphere.
• At least two (2) years of project management experience preferred.

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 application process, please email accomodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees.  In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Minneapolis, Minnesota - based position can expect an annual salary of $70,720.00 to $91,520.00.  Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.  Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

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

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