Project/Lead 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 Arizona Team is looking for a self-motivated Project or Lead Level Environmental Planner with attention to detail and strong communication skills. Depending upon experience and qualifications, this individual can get hired as either a project environmental planner or lead environmental planner. 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 regular status, full time position, reporting to SWCA’s Senior Planning Team Lead in our Flagstaff, Arizona office. Work can be based in the office, in a hybrid work arrangement or distributed, for those located in the region.

This position is available at the below levels and title will be based on years of relevant experience:

• Project Environmental Planner - 5 years of related experience
• Lead Environmental Planner - 8 years of related experience

What you will accomplish

You will be responsible for performing environmental planning tasks that include conducting environmental impact analyses, facilitating public and agency outreach, and providing quality assurance and leadership through environmental compliance processes such as EAs, EISs, and state and local environmental permitting. Specific responsibilities include:

• Write and manage the preparation of environmental review documentation (e.g., EAs, EISs, state and local permitting, critical issue analysis) for a wide variety of projects, including renewable energy development, transmission, mining, etc. This position will help lead, write, and manage the preparation of environmental compliance documents related to projects managed by federal agencies or state and local governments.
• Support business line growth objectives and lead the development of planning documents including EAs, EISs, and state and local permitting for business lines that may include land use planning, generation, transmission, mining, and others.
• Assist teams by providing technical oversight and guidance for the preparation of key aspects of planning and NEPA documents, including 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.
• Support and oversee development of local land use and environmental permitting for County and State requirements including special use permits and certificates of environmental compatibility, and others.
• Demonstrate excellent leadership behavior and professionalism while providing leadership at the project, team, and office level.
• Provide enterprise-level support by contributing to business development pursuits and proposals.
• Mentor early and mid-career staff in the development of the skills in environmental analysis and document preparation.

Experience and qualifications for success

We seek a team member who brings demonstrated experience in environmental planning project management, environmental analysis, and agency consultation. We seek the following specific qualities:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another planning or science-related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of planning or NEPA document preparation and experience in environmental consulting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization, schedule, and budget management skills.
• Experience on complex, multi-disciplinary projects; leading meetings with clients and agencies; directing project teams including subcontractors; preparing or directing staff in the preparation of technical studies and planning/NEPA documents; and setting and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules.
• 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 develop project execution plans to satisfy regulatory compliance.
• A working understanding of agency internal processes and procedures such as the BLM, USFS, NPS, BOR, and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
• Proven experience with a subset of public lands, land use planning, natural and cultural resource issues, wind and solar projects, transportation projects, and or oil/gas projects in the western US.

PREFERRED or HELPFUL

• Eight (8) years of planning or NEPA document preparation and experience in environmental consulting.
• Master’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another planning or science-related field.
• 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.

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.

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

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Seniority Level

Mid-Senior level

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