Assistant Vice President, Environmental Planning

WSP • Seattle, WA

3h • Hybrid

About The Position

WSP USA is initiating a search for an Assistant Vice President, Environmental Planning to lead our visual assessment practice in the Earth and Environment business line. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with 10+ years of experience conducting visual assessment evaluations. The position is remote or hybrid full-time employment with pacific northwest offices in Seattle, Redmond, or Vancouver, WA; Portland or Bend, OR; and Boise, ID. This position would assist the Visual Resource/Environmental Planning Team on electrical infrastructure, energy generation, and other infrastructure permitting projects in the Pacific Northwest and across the country.

Requirements

• BS degree in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Planning, Urban Planning, Regional Planning, or related degree;
• 10+ years of experience in federal, state, and local environmental policy and regulation; specifically federal visual resource management methodologies (Bureau of Land Management [BLM]-Visual Resource Management [VRM]; U. S. Forest Service [USFS] Scenery Management System [SMS]; Bureau of Ocean Energy Management [BOEM] visual impact methodology; Federal Highways Administration [FHWA] Visual Impact Assessment Guidance;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, defining and understanding client requirements, managing expectations, communicating with clients, and overseeing project staff and subcontractors;
• Travel up to 30% of the time for client, project, and internal meetings. Ability to attend and participate in open house and public meeting environments or meetings with interested stakeholders. Also, ability to hike or walk to collect photography and data;
• Ability to do aerial imagery interpretation and understand engineering drawings and topographical maps;
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver’s license

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and experience with Google Earth, ArcGIS, digital SLR cameras, and GPS equipment is a plus
• Master’s Degree in one of the required fields
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental licensing & permitting regulations to facilitate energy, mining, oil/gas infrastructure projects

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Visual Assessment practice with the Earth and Environment business line. Expand existing client (internal and external) portfolios and establish new leads;
• Scope and oversee preparation of visual assessment technical analysis and reports in support of energy infrastructure (wind, solar, electrical transmission, pipeline) routing and siting studies, environmental reporting, and federal/state/local permitting;
• Scope and manage field assessments to collect data on existing visual conditions and evaluate potential visual impacts of energy infrastructure projects consistent with applicable agency guidelines and methodologies. In some cases, participate in field programs and coordinate safety compliance of visual teams;
• Lead visualization and GIS teams in the development of photo simulations, animations, maps, graphics, and other communication tools;
• Collaborate with internal Project Managers/Staff, clients, and sub-contractor;
• Interface and coordinate with agency Landscape Architects, Recreation Planners, and other resource staff;
• Participate in industry and resource-specific training, conferences, and events to expand resource knowledge and market services;
• Service as a visual resources subject matter expert and communicate with the public and community stakeholders at hearings and public meetings; and
• Implement corporate and project-specific Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs, including methodology and document review, training junior staff in visual resource assessment, participation in field reviews, project compliance inspections, and site meetings;

Benefits

• coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life
• retirement savings
• paid sick leave
• paid vacation (or other personal time)
• paid parental leave
• paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior