Environmental Permitting & Regulatory Specialist (Water / Wastewater)

Brown and Caldwell•Alexandria, VA

16h•$95,000 - $155,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Environmental Permitting and Regulatory Specialist will lead regulatory gap analysis projects to identify and address compliance deficiencies, manage permit application preparation and submission, conduct multi-media environmental audits and assessments, and provide compliance support and reporting. The role also develops and implements tools and standards to improve compliance, standardize operations, and reduce environmental risks. The position oversees projects, makes decisions within broad guidelines, works independently, and may supervise strategic issues. The work is based in the DC Metro, Maryland, and Virginia area. The specialist reviews technical work by more junior staff, supports strategic permit planning and regulatory agency negotiations, and may mentor less experienced team members. Preferred experience includes regional and federal permitting, agency coordination, sensitive-resource reviews, and integrating permitting requirements into project planning, design, and construction. A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience, is required.

Requirements

Typically, at least 5 years of related work experience in compliance and permitting or a related field.
Moderate experience working independently under limited supervision.
Typically certified in BC’s Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) Framework and progressing through the SMS competencies.
Proficiency in regulatory gap analysis and strategic permit planning.
Proficiency in permit procurement, compliance management, and regulatory negotiation.
Strong problem-solving skills, including resolving moderately complex situations.
Ability to make strategic decisions within broad guidelines and policies.
Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and implementing program-level permitting strategies, permit matrices, schedules, budgets, trackers, roles and responsibilities, and communication protocols across multiple concurrent projects.
Professional experience in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region and familiarity with local agency expectations.
Ability to attend site visits and field meetings with subcontractors, regulators, utility representatives, and other stakeholders.
Knowledge and experience with Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland permitting and approval processes; coordination experience with District agencies is preferred.
Experience with federal environmental review and permitting, including NEPA, National Park Service procedures and Special Use Permits, Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, Rivers and Harbors Act Sections 10 and 408, and Endangered Species Act compliance.
Experience coordinating projects on or adjacent to federal lands, parklands, waterways, historic properties, and other sensitive resources in the Washington metropolitan area.
Knowledge of Section 106 cultural resources review, archaeological resource requirements, threatened and endangered species consultation, tree-clearing restrictions, wetland and waters evaluations, and avoidance and mitigation planning.
Ability to engage regulatory agencies early, lead pre-application meetings, clarify approval pathways and dependencies, negotiate practical solutions, and maintain productive relationships with agency staff.
Experience integrating permitting into planning, alternatives analysis, design development, constructability reviews, cost estimating, and construction schedules.
Ability to communicate effectively across engineers, contractors, environmental specialists, regulators, utility staff, and client leadership, including clearly explaining non-negotiable project needs.
Strong project and program management skills, including prioritizing urgent or emergency permitting needs, coordinating phased approvals, maintaining decision and communication records, and preparing concise status reports for client and project leadership.

Responsibilities

Review technical work performed by more junior staff.
Conduct regulatory gap analysis to ensure alignment with legal and environmental requirements.
Support strategic permit planning to secure permissions needed for project execution.
Prepare and submit permit applications in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Conduct multi-media environmental audits and assessments, and report on compliance status.
Provide compliance support and reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
Support negotiations with regulatory agencies to resolve compliance issues and facilitate permit procurement.
Reduce environmental liability and risk through careful planning and effective risk management.
Develop and implement tools and standards to standardize operations and improve efficiency.
Adapt to and execute additional assignments as needs evolve.
May provide mentorship, guidance, support, and knowledge-sharing to less experienced team members.