Environmental Permitting Project Manager

WSP•Gainesville, FL

About The Position

WSP is seeking an Environmental Permitting Project Manager to support its Permitting, Planning, and Licensing practice in North Florida, based in either Gainesville or Jacksonville. The role manages permitting strategy, environmental compliance, natural resource assessments, and regulatory coordination for projects across the energy, oil and gas, utilities, transportation, industrial, government, and infrastructure sectors. The successful candidate will work with subject matter experts, biologists, environmental planners, engineers, and regulatory specialists, and contribute to the continued growth of WSP’s practice throughout Florida and the Southeast. Projects may involve federal, state, and local permitting; natural resource assessments; wetland and waters evaluations; threatened and endangered species coordination; mitigation planning; and environmental compliance throughout project lifecycles. The position combines technical environmental expertise and regulatory knowledge with project management, client relationship, business development, and staff mentoring responsibilities. The candidate will manage project financial performance and help ensure scope, schedule, budget, quality, and profitability goals are met.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, natural resources, environmental planning, ecology, geography, or a related field.
Minimum of 7 years of experience in natural resources, environmental permitting, environmental consulting, or a related field.
Experience supporting projects in Florida and the Southeast.
Strong understanding of environmental permitting processes and regulatory frameworks, including NEPA, Clean Water Act Sections 404 and 401, the Endangered Species Act, and related state regulations.
Experience coordinating with agencies such as USACE, USFWS, NOAA, EPA, and Florida and other state regulatory agencies.
Knowledge of wetland permitting, habitat assessments, ecological surveys, mitigation planning, and environmental compliance requirements.
Demonstrated project management experience, including scope development, budget management, and client communication.
Strong technical writing and communication skills, including experience preparing reports, permit applications, and presentations.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary consulting environment.
Proven commitment to workplace safety and quality project delivery.
Ability to travel, including occasional overnight travel for client meetings, agency coordination, and project initiation.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, natural resource management, environmental planning, or a related field.
Previous project management experience in the environmental field.
Experience managing multidisciplinary environmental and permitting projects.
Experience with large-scale energy, utility, transportation, coastal restoration, or infrastructure projects.
Established relationships with regulatory agencies and clients throughout Florida and the Southeast.
Experience mentoring and developing junior staff.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar credential.
Professional Wetland Scientist.

Responsibilities

Support and lead environmental permitting and natural resource projects throughout Florida and the Southeast.
Develop permitting strategies and regulatory pathways for infrastructure, energy, utility, transportation, and industrial projects.
Prepare and review permit applications, technical reports, environmental assessments, and supporting documentation.
Contribute to staffing plans and manage multidisciplinary teams, teaming partners, and subcontractors to meet project requirements and client commitments.
Coordinate with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies to facilitate project approvals.
Plan, coordinate, and provide technical oversight for wetland delineations, habitat assessments, threatened and endangered species evaluations, and other natural resource studies.
Provide clients with environmental compliance and permitting guidance throughout project development and implementation.
Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and proposals.
Manage multiple projects and ensure quality deliverables are completed on time and within budget.
Analyze and interpret environmental data and provide technical review and quality assurance.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on environmental reviews, permit applications, mitigation plans, and resource management strategies.
Mentor and support the professional development of junior environmental staff.
Build and maintain client relationships and support business development initiatives, including converting successful project delivery into repeat business.
Foster technical excellence, collaboration, innovation, and exceptional client service.
Promote a strong safety culture and comply with WSP health and safety standards.
Exercise sound and ethical decision-making in accordance with WSP policies and procedures.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Manage project financial performance, including forecasting, invoicing, change management, risk identification, and corrective actions to achieve scope, schedule, budget, quality, and profitability goals.