Project-Level 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 New Mexico/Four Corners team is looking for a self-motivated Project-Level 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 one of SWCA’s Project Managers out of either our Albuquerque, NM, Carlsbad, NM, or Durango, CO office. Remote locations within New Mexico will be considered for the right candidate.

Our Vision (the North Star), Core Values, and Purpose:  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.

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.

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 EAs and EISs.  Specific responsibilities include:

• Lead or contribute to the preparation of EAs and EISs addressing the development for a wide variety of projects, revision of federal land use plans, issuance of rights-of-way, approvals, and/or leases, policy amendments, etc. This position will help lead, write, and manage the preparation of NEPA documents related to projects managed by federal agencies or for those that occur on federal lands.
• Support business line growth objectives and lead the development of EAs and EISs, including NEPA documents, for business lines that may include generation, transmission, mining, and others.
• Assist teams by providing technical oversight and guidance 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 involvement and outreach including public scoping; public comment review and response; and Records of Decisions and Findings of No Significant Impact.
• 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.
• Work with the New Mexico/Four Corners team to develop individual and collective NEPA analysis and document preparation skills.

Experience and qualifications for success

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

REQUIRED

• A minimum of three (3) years of NEPA document preparation and experience in environmental consulting. Experience should include 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 NEPA documents; and setting and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules.
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, environmental planning, environmental science, or another science-related field.
• 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), Secretarial Order 3355, and the ability to develop project execution plans to satisfy regulatory compliance.
• A working understanding of agency internal processes and procedures and positive existing relationships with federal land management and regulatory agencies, such as the BLM, USFS, NPS, BOR, DOE, DOT, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
• Proven experience with a subset of public lands, natural and cultural resource issues, wind projects, transportation projects, oil/gas project, and/or renewables projects in the New Mexico/Four Corners geography.

PREFERRED or HELPFUL

• A minimum of five (5) years of NEPA document preparation and experience in environmental consulting. Experience should include 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 NEPA documents; and setting and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules.
• A Masters Degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another natural, biological, or cultural-resources-related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization, schedule, and budget management skills.
• Ability to be recognized by clients and agencies as a NEPA project manager or deputy project manager that can lead or assistan an EA or an EIS from pre-NEPA planning phases through project complietion.
• Experience with business development with federal agencies, 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.  We will encourage you to grow and develop your career with us through our technical and professional development programs and diverse career opportunities. We believe in leadership at all levels. No matter where you sit in the organization you can make a lasting impact on the projects you work on, the teams and committees you join and our business.

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 $25.00 and $38.00 per year, 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.

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Seniority Level

Associate

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