Environmental Policy Analyst

Essnova Solutions•Washington, DC

About The Position

Essnova Solutions, Inc. is an award-winning, SBA 8(a) and HUBZone certified small business delivering innovative technology and professional services to federal, state, local, and commercial clients. Recognized for rapid growth and exceptional performance, Essnova is committed to empowering those who serve through relentless speed, efficiency, and bold innovation. Our recent prime contract awards and strong reputation in federal missions make us a trusted partner for complex environmental and geospatial projects. As an Environmental Policy Analyst, you will play a critical role in supporting federal land management planning efforts for the U.S. Forest Service. You will leverage your expertise in environmental policy and NEPA compliance to guide interdisciplinary teams, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and ensure regulatory adherence across large-scale projects. This position offers the opportunity to impact national and regional land management initiatives while collaborating with senior leadership and diverse project teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
10+ years of experience in federal land management, environmental analysis, policy, and NEPA-related work
Specialized experience with land management planning on National Forest System lands
Experience advising or participating on interdisciplinary teams conducting land management planning and environmental analysis
Experience supporting large-scale regional or national land management projects
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, ArcGIS, and Adobe/PDF editing tools
Solid knowledge of NEPA and experience writing/editing NEPA documents
Expertise in Forest Service land management planning policy and writing/editing land management plans
Experience applying the Forest Service land management planning process (e.g., 36 CFR 219 planning rule)
Professional proficiency in English
U.S. citizenship (required for government contract)
Experience preparing public-facing NEPA/planning materials, including public notices and responses to public comments

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a policy-related field
Knowledge of the Northwest Forest Plan and/or experience working in the Northwest Forest Plan area

Responsibilities

Leading the preparation, coordination, and revision of National Forest System land management plans and NEPA documents, ensuring compliance with the Northwest Forest Plan and Forest Service policies.
Providing expert policy analysis and guidance on federal land management planning, NEPA scoping, alternatives development, and impact analysis to support interdisciplinary planning teams.
Conducting rigorous environmental analyses and policy reviews for large-scale, regional or national land management projects, including writing, editing, and integrating findings into planning documents and decision packets.
Serving as a subject-matter advisor to higher management and project teams on policy interpretation, Forest Service planning requirements, and NEPA documentation, facilitating cross-agency and stakeholder coordination.
Ensuring citizen engagement and stakeholder communication by preparing briefings, public notices, responses to comments, and documentation that supports transparent decision-making and regulatory compliance.