Environmental Planning Practice Leader - Illinois
About the role
We are seeking a highly experienced Environmental Planning Practice Leader (NEPA | Highways | Rail & Transit) to drive the strategic growth and technical excellence of our environmental services practice across Illinois and the broader Midwest.
Responsibilities
Lead and grow the Environmental Planning/NEPA practice in Illinois and surrounding markets.
Develop and execute strategic business plans, including market positioning across rail, transit, and DOT clients.
Identify and capture new business opportunities with agencies such as: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Illinois DOT (IDOT), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, Pace, CMAP, and municipal agencies.
Serve as capture manager and/or executive sponsor for major pursuits.
Build and maintain trusted advisor relationships with key public sector clients.
Represent the firm in industry organizations, stakeholder forums, and public meetings.
Provide strategic guidance to clients on NEPA strategy, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance.
Provide senior-level oversight for: Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), Environmental Assessments (EA), Categorical Exclusions (CE).
Lead complex NEPA efforts for rail corridors, transit expansions, and major infrastructure programs.
Ensure compliance with: NEPA, Section 106, Section 4(f), Clean Water Act, ESA, and other federal/state requirements.
Advise on integration with planning, engineering, and permitting.
Serve as Project Director/Executive-in-Charge on major assignments.
Oversee scope, schedule, budget, and quality for high-profile environmental programs.
Provide risk management and ensure on-time, compliant delivery.
Lead, mentor, and grow multidisciplinary teams of environmental planners, scientists, and technical specialists.
Recruit top talent and support succession planning.
Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
Stay at the forefront of NEPA regulatory updates, climate policy, and sustainability trends.
Drive innovation in: Programmatic NEPA approaches, Digital delivery tools (GIS, data management), Sustainability and resilience integration.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Geography, Urban Planning, or related field (master’s preferred).
20+ years of progressive experience in environmental planning with a strong NEPA focus.
Demonstrated expertise delivering rail and transit projects (e.g., corridors, stations, expansions).
Deep knowledge of: FRA and FTA NEPA processes, Illinois regulatory environment (IDOT, CMAP, local agencies).
Proven track record of: Winning and delivering major projects/programs, Leading high-performing teams, Strong client relationships within Illinois transportation agencies.
Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with Programmatic Agreements and Tiered NEPA documents.
Familiarity with public involvement and EJ/Title VI considerations.
Professional certifications (e.g., AICP, CEP) preferred.
Experience managing multi-million-dollar programs and cross-functional teams.