Principal Environmental Planner

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Environmental Planner to support the growth and expansion of our environmental planning team in Salt Lake City, Utah. While affiliated with our Salt Lake City office, this position can be filled remotely. The Principal Environmental Planner will also collaborate with environmental planners throughout the Rocky Mountain region, and the potentially nation.

As a Principal Environmental Planner, you will work with the NEPA Team Lead to execute our growth plan in this service area in the nation’s largest market for environmental services. This “cornerstone” position is ideal for an experienced and ambitious person who is looking to advance their career as both an environmental practitioner and as a mentor to a collaborative team that is committed to excellence.

SWCA is a well-established leader in environmental consulting in Utah and the Rocky Mountain region, having provided high-quality cultural and natural resources services in the region for decades. We are a 100% employee-owned firm, and in addition to our competitive benefits package, we offer health and wellness programs, career development progression and training, the opportunity to give back to our communities, and a flexible work environment. We are excited to meet you!

This is a regular, full-time, salaried position that is a career growth opportunity to join SWCA’s expanding Utah and Rocky Mountain Planning Practice.

What you will bring:

• A strong interest in building a Utah planning practice with a significant focus on NEPA services;
• A history of successfully managing NEPA, and/or planning projects of various scales and levels of complexity;
• Strong existing client contacts in one or more of SWCA’s key client sectors (e.g., planning and community development departments, public works departments, water and wastewater departments/utilities, private developers, attorneys, or energy developers and utilities), or a strong desire to help grow these;
• A proven track record of developing client relationships, leading to the creation of new business opportunities;
• A desire to work in a team environment, being inspired through always learning and advancing; and
• The ability to create a climate where people are motivated to bring their best work to help our employee-owned company grow and prosper.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star) is to make SWCA 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. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA; we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack.

What you will accomplish

• Technical Leadership**.** The Principal Environmental Planner will provide technical leadership throughout the region by serving as a Senior Project Manager and/or Director on key projects, giving strategic input to other active projects in the region, and serving as a technical advisor to share advanced ideas for the region’s projects and pursuits. The Principal Environmental Planner will encourage innovation in the program and mentor staff. You will work with your team to generate process improvements and novel technical approaches.

• Client and Business Development Leadership**.** The Principal Environmental Planner will help lead NEPA and planning marketing and business development efforts. These activities will include fostering new and existing client relationships, determining which opportunities to pursue, leading proposal and interview efforts, and targeting promising markets, geographies, and sectors. The Principal Environmental Planner will be supported by several senior practitioners experienced in client and business development.

• People Leadership**.** The Principal Environmental Planner will hire, manage, and mentor junior staff. Problem-solving skills are a must, including the ability to discern which issues need to be elevated and which can be resolved without assistance. The Principal Environmental Planner will be nimble and adaptable and will manage the workload of the team through shifting deadlines and client expectations. This position will prioritize collaboration, the advancement and growth of the group, and the professional development of team members (under the supervision of the Principal Environmental Planning Team Lead).

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning or a related field.
• A minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant environmental consulting experience, including applicable and progressive experience preparing and leading NEPA documents.
• Strong knowledge of NEPA and experience managing the NEPA processes and documents; ability to critically review supporting technical reports.
• Experience working with relevant Federal Agencies and regulator such as the US Army Corp of Engineers and the Bureau of Land Management.
• Experience training and mentoring planning staff.
• Experience leading client and business development efforts and proposals to secure new opportunities with new clientele.

We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. 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. We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).

If you are seeking an opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled and diverse professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions, then SWCA will be a great fit for you!  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 480-581-5378. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

An employee in this Salt Lake City, UT-based position can expect an annual salary of $102,960.00 - $134,160.00. 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.

SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.