Consulting Environmental Planning Specialist

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) is a dynamic medium-size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada. We are seeking a full-time Consulting Environmental Planning Specialist to join our growing Environmental Planning, Permitting, and Assessment team, focusing on managing environmental services for large-scale energy projects and conducting environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

About the role

This role is identified specifically for growth within WEST's Environmental Planning, Permitting, and Assessment group. The selected candidate will be an experienced project manager with documented success leading large-scale energy projects and developing NEPA documents (e.g., Environmental Impact Statements and/or Environmental Assessments). The position involves managing projects, assembling and managing multidisciplinary teams, and navigating project development from pre-construction surveys through agency coordination and permitting. This role will also emphasize mentoring deputy project managers and staff newer to environmental consulting.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience working with the Bureau of Land Management, Department of Energy, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, and/or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Location is flexible, although a location in the southwest, northwest, or Rocky Mountain region of the United States is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Complete and direct various project management and support tasks related to project siting evaluation, environmental planning, or environmental reviews (e.g., federal/state/local site permitting and environmental reviews, wetland and/or water resource permitting, environmental site assessments).
• Coordinate and manage natural resource field studies (e.g., wildlife, wetlands).
• Direct multi-disciplinary teams (including internal staff and external sub-consultants) in completing environmental review for small, medium, and large-scale energy projects.
• Coordinate with local/state/federal agencies, tribes, and stakeholders in support of client-directed project work.
• Collaborate closely with clients to support real-time requests and help clients implement scientific consulting solutions. Take the lead on navigating the regulatory landscape and providing clients with novel and innovative solutions.
• Review reports, applying expertise to present and interpret the results of field and desktop studies in their scientific and regulatory context.
• Ensure team alignment on field data management and GIS data processes to meet WEST standards and client/agency requirements.
• Market WEST's capabilities, respond to proposal requests, and provide oversight into the development of scopes of work and budget estimates.
• Foster current business relationships and promote new business development efforts.
• Help maintain WEST's position as thought leaders in the environmental consulting market.
• Manage project teams, deliverables, and budgets for multiple projects.
• Mentor deputy project managers.

This position will require overnight travel.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of environmental permitting and experience effectively communicating with clients and agency staff through planning regulations at the local, state, and federal level (e.g., NEPA, Clean Water Act Section 404/10 permitting, NPDES permitting, ESA compliance, zoning/land development permitting). A preferred background in natural resource science (including wildlife biology, wetland delineation, botany, restoration science, or other areas of ecology) is desirable.
• 7+ years of directly relevant experience in environmental consulting as a project manager, including several years of demonstrated experience in managing complex projects and developing NEPA documents.
• Experience in budgeting large projects and proposal writing.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage large and diverse teams, natural resource field studies, data collection and GIS processes, and personnel with varying ranges of experience and expertise.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to pay close attention to detail and succinctly report the results of field studies.
• Demonstrated experience in business development, marketing, and maintaining positive relationships with clients or stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Good time management, project management, and organizational skills with the ability to work well independently and under time constraints and changing circumstances.
• Strong focus on quality deliverables and client service, while maintaining a positive collaborative team approach.
• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in environmental planning, biological sciences, natural resources, ecology, or equivalent, and/or GIS. Master’s degree preferred.

After an offer of employment is made, the candidate must successfully pass a pre-employment background check, drug screening, and a DMV records check that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. A valid driver’s license will be required.

Pay

The minimum base salary for this position is $80,000 - $110,000, plus an annual bonus. Salary may vary based on education, knowledge, and experience.