Transportation Planner

Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Summit Design and Engineering Services, Inc. is a trusted partner to municipalities, state agencies, and private clients throughout the Southeast. Our firm is known for innovative, practical solutions that strengthen communities and create a lasting impact on the places where we live, work, and play. Collaboration and growth are the cornerstone of our success.

About the role

We're looking for an Environmental Planner/NEPA/SEPA in our Raleigh location. This individual will conduct environmental impact assessments, prepare documentation like Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), ensure compliance with state (SEPA) and federal (NEPA) environmental regulations, and collaborate with project teams to minimize environmental impacts throughout the project lifecycle, often within land development or infrastructure projects. The role serves as a statewide expert for NEPA/SEPA compliance for large and small projects and acts as the connection between staff and regulations. This is a unique opportunity for someone passionate about both the human and natural environment, and continual process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Experience in all matters related to the National Environmental Policy Act and State(s) Environmental Policy Act (NEPA/SEPA), including coordination with relevant DOT/agency partners and stakeholders
• Preparation of NEPA documentation including Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), Categorical Exclusions (CEs), plans, and technical studies primarily for transportation projects, but may also include preparation of documentation for other governmental entities
• Coordinate with clients, regulatory/resource agencies, and local governments as part of the NEPA process and environmental document preparation
• Assist with incorporating technical studies and ecological resource assessments such as traffic analyses, air & noise analyses, socio-economic analyses, wetland delineations, habitat assessments, and other natural resource surveys into the NEPA environmental document
• Perform research, conduct environmental analyses (field and desktop), develop recommendations, and assist in the preparation of technical reports under NEPA
• Assist in concept development, feasibility studies, and the preparation of planning and environmental compliance documentation including sustainability, transportation, and resilience planning
• Conduct planning assessments using analytical tools such as GIS to evaluate data, identify trends, and develop documentation to summarize results and recommendations
• Organize and participate in public workshops and other project meetings with regulatory/resource agencies
• Track project deliverable progress in multiple systems and coordinate completion across teams
• Interface with clients and/or regulatory agencies
• Occasional field work to assist with environmental screenings, wetland/stream delineations, threatened and endangered species surveys, and traffic noise readings
• Provide direct project support as a consulting expert to multimodal project teams to address human environmental issues (including socioeconomic and environmental justice), and prepare draft reports, as needed

Requirements

• PE or AICP professional registration
• Degree in planning, engineering, or environmental discipline; must have a thorough understanding of NEPA requirements and related environmental regulations
• Eight (8) or more years' professional experience working with federal, state, and/or local environmental laws, regulations, and processes required to deliver major projects
• Knowledge of NCDOT and Federal transportation planning and environmental policies
• Experience with transportation project development and delivery, including leading or participating on a team responsible for delivering project environmental documents and the NEPA/SEPA process
• High level of skill using MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook software
• Ability to travel statewide with occasional overnight stays
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental requirements, laws, regulations, policies, guidelines, and processes for the development of transportation facilities
• Ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and changing priorities
• Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, with internal and external audiences, promptly and courteously using plain language
• Good driving record and valid driver's license

Benefits

• Student loan/tuition reimbursement program
• Paid volunteer time
• Professional development assistance
• Four weeks of PTO
• Wellness stipends
• Flexible work options