Lead Environmental Planner

WSP•Albuquerque, NM

About The Position

At WSP, we are inspired by bringing together the right people to be a part of future-focused business objectives to support our vast client base. Across the world, the importance of ethical environmental systems and projects are the foundation of shaping the future of our environment. Through public consultancy, strategic planning practices and stakeholder engagement, we can provide clients a concrete and realistic understanding of a project’s impact. As a world-wide leader of environmental and transportation consulting and planning services, we invite you to be a part of that vision. Our Planning & Environment group in Albuquerque, New Mexico , is looking for a Lead Environmental Planner to support and add to our wide and diverse range of environmental planning services that enables future-ready growth. Your Impact Design Manages the planning, development, and implementation of environmental projects to ensure that development projects comply with environmental laws and regulations with minimal supervision Develop planning studies and documents related to environmental planning, including; National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act documentation and/or other environmental planning documentation, figures, and maps for environmental and transportation planning studies. Authors technical reports with clarity and minimal grammatical or spelling errors. Conducts biological evaluations and wetland studies in support of planning projects. Prepares and completes environmental survey reports, data entry, impact assessment, and permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act permitting, NEPA, etc.). Provides environmental risk identification and impact assessment, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level threat mitigation and permitting activities projects to minimize impacts to the health of the environment and the population. Assist with scoping, strategic planning, and developing permitting execution strategy for clients on small - medium-sized projects. Actively engage in business development and proposal writing. Demonstrated commitment to keeping up-to-date in knowledge of current regulations and planning practices Coordination, preparation, and submittal of development permit applications and other land use planning for energy (oil/gas, renewables, etc.), transportation, mining, or government projects with minimal supervision Maintains and designs project tracking mechanisms, process design, and record keeping Oversees implementation of project development requirements with WSP personnel, outside contractors, and agency / tribal stakeholders Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs. Analyze Participate in decision making to carry out land development with consideration given to the natural environment, social, political, and economic factors to achieve sustainable outcomes while following local, state, federal, and/or tribal environmental regulations and procedures. Conducts data collection, research, field surveys, and technical work under supervision - up to 50% time spent traveling Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS data, and other visualization tools to determine exact locations of project areas, associated physical and wildlife sensitivities, and to uncover primary, secondary, and tertiary environmental impacts. Prepares technical memoranda, documentation, and reports under minimal supervision Remain current in latest environmental planning subject matter, practices, regulations, and techniques. Responsible for understanding regulatory rules and rule changes Collaborate Manage field calendar for biological and cultural field surveys, often for multiple projects in multiple locations with up to 6 staff in the field at one time. Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams in executing project work, permitting strategy, environmental impact assessments, and regulatory compliance, including project budgets, tracking hours and expenses, and task completion. Provide guidance to junior staff or interns to assist with project flow. Coordinate with clients, resource/regulatory agencies, and environmental and technical staff in a confident and professional manner. Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide future ready solutions for clients. Manage field crews remotely or while in the field to ensure staff safety and adherence to proper protocols for data collection, documentation, and integrity. Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures. Participate in public and stakeholder engagement in a professional manner Other duties as required by business needs.

Requirements

7-10 years of experience working in the environmental planning field, completing environmental field surveys for plants and animals, construction support, impact assessments, and permitting.
Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree in Environmental Planning, Ecology, Biological Science (Botany, Wildlife Biology, etc.), Natural Resource Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Exceptional technical writing skills
Effective analytical skills and prior experience with research techniques, local/regional ecology and habitats, and identification of wildlife and vegetation species common to the western US.
Knowledge of relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable Regional/State/Federal regulatory frameworks.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others and expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
Proficiency with local plant and animal identification
Experience with discipline-specific software (Microsoft Office Suite, ArcGIS).
Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

Previous environmental consulting experience
Project Management experience, including proposal writing, client coordination, and managing scope / schedule / budget / staff
Growing industry knowledge through participating in local professional practice organization
Exposure to ArcGIS
Experience working with tribal, federal, state, or local agencies and the public
Experience with field delineation of wetlands and waters of the US or other field or permitting activities
Experience conducting protocol surveys for special status species, particularly avian raptors and endangered plants
Experience creating, editing, and analyzing information within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to produce maps and spatial analysis for a variety of topic areas, including: natural resources, land use / land cover, ecotypes, habitat, etc.
Familiarity with rules and regulations related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Endangered Species Act; Migratory Bird Treaty Act; Clean Water Act; and state and local environmental rules and regulations and related reporting requirements (e.g., Environmental Assessments; Biological Assessments; Reclamation Plans; Pre-Construction Notifications; reclamation and restoration regulations)
Eager to participate in land management to promote responsible, sustainable development of oil and gas projects, renewable energy infrastructure, roads and bridges, and more.

Responsibilities

Manages the planning, development, and implementation of environmental projects to ensure that development projects comply with environmental laws and regulations with minimal supervision
Develop planning studies and documents related to environmental planning, including; National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act documentation and/or other environmental planning documentation, figures, and maps for environmental and transportation planning studies.
Authors technical reports with clarity and minimal grammatical or spelling errors.
Conducts biological evaluations and wetland studies in support of planning projects.
Prepares and completes environmental survey reports, data entry, impact assessment, and permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act permitting, NEPA, etc.).
Provides environmental risk identification and impact assessment, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level threat mitigation and permitting activities projects to minimize impacts to the health of the environment and the population.
Assist with scoping, strategic planning, and developing permitting execution strategy for clients on small - medium-sized projects.
Actively engage in business development and proposal writing.
Demonstrated commitment to keeping up-to-date in knowledge of current regulations and planning practices
Coordination, preparation, and submittal of development permit applications and other land use planning for energy (oil/gas, renewables, etc.), transportation, mining, or government projects with minimal supervision
Maintains and designs project tracking mechanisms, process design, and record keeping
Oversees implementation of project development requirements with WSP personnel, outside contractors, and agency / tribal stakeholders
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Participate in decision making to carry out land development with consideration given to the natural environment, social, political, and economic factors to achieve sustainable outcomes while following local, state, federal, and/or tribal environmental regulations and procedures.
Conducts data collection, research, field surveys, and technical work under supervision - up to 50% time spent traveling
Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS data, and other visualization tools to determine exact locations of project areas, associated physical and wildlife sensitivities, and to uncover primary, secondary, and tertiary environmental impacts.
Prepares technical memoranda, documentation, and reports under minimal supervision
Remain current in latest environmental planning subject matter, practices, regulations, and techniques.
Responsible for understanding regulatory rules and rule changes
Manage field calendar for biological and cultural field surveys, often for multiple projects in multiple locations with up to 6 staff in the field at one time.
Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams in executing project work, permitting strategy, environmental impact assessments, and regulatory compliance, including project budgets, tracking hours and expenses, and task completion.
Provide guidance to junior staff or interns to assist with project flow.
Coordinate with clients, resource/regulatory agencies, and environmental and technical staff in a confident and professional manner.
Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide future ready solutions for clients.
Manage field crews remotely or while in the field to ensure staff safety and adherence to proper protocols for data collection, documentation, and integrity.
Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
Participate in public and stakeholder engagement in a professional manner
Other duties as required by business needs.