Managing Regulatory Permitting Lead

Anchor QEA • San Francisco, CA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position offers the opportunity to serve as a regulatory lead and key contributor to Anchor QEA’s waterfront and coastal practice in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout California. The role leads permitting strategy and contributes to the delivery of complex dredging, waterfront development, shoreline resilience, habitat mitigation, and restoration projects within one of the most complex coastal environments in the country.
The position includes ownership of regulatory pathways from project inception through final approvals, guiding agency engagement and shaping permitting approaches that influence project direction and feasibility. Responsibilities include serving in a leadership capacity on multidisciplinary project teams and coordinating with planning, scientific, and engineering staff to integrate regulatory considerations into project strategy and execution.
The role also contributes to continued growth and visibility of Anchor QEA’s waterfront and coastal permitting practice through client engagement, relationship development, industry networking, proposal development, and identification of new opportunities. The position may also support or lead key permitting efforts on waterfront and coastal projects in other regions, including the Pacific Northwest. This position carries meaningful expectations for regulatory leadership, project delivery, and business development within a collaborative and technically rigorous consulting environment.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, marine biology, natural resources, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in environmental consulting, including leadership of permitting efforts for dredging, waterfront development, remediation, resilience, mitigation, or restoration projects in California.
• Demonstrated success securing regulatory approvals in the San Francisco Bay Area and coastal environments.
• Strong working knowledge of Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 1600 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, BCDC permitting, California Coastal Act requirements, and federal and/or California Endangered Species Act consultation.
• Experience coordinating interdisciplinary teams and managing permitting scopes, schedules, and budgets for complex projects.
• Experience supporting business development and client relationship efforts, including proposal preparation and identification of new project opportunities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a client-focused consulting environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading or substantially contributing to CEQA documentation; familiarity with NEPA is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead permitting efforts for complex waterfront development, dredging, shoreline resilience, sediment remediation, habitat mitigation, and restoration projects in the San Francisco Bay Area and along the California coast, with opportunities to support similar projects in other regions, including the Pacific Northwest.
• Develop and implement regulatory strategies that support project feasibility, environmental compliance, and successful project delivery.
• Serve as a project manager or regulatory lead on interdisciplinary teams, coordinating permitting scopes, schedules, and deliverables and ensuring alignment between regulatory strategy and project objectives.
• Support business development efforts, including proposal preparation, scope and budget development, client engagement, relationship development, industry networking, and identification of new waterfront and coastal permitting opportunities.
• Lead agency coordination and support regulatory negotiations for complex or high-visibility projects, serving as a primary liaison with resource agencies.
• Oversee preparation and submittal of permit applications and supporting documentation, including biological resources studies and related environmental analyses, for federal, state, and regional approvals, including Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, Section 1600 Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements, Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) permits, California Coastal Act authorizations, Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements, and federal and/or California Endangered Species Act coordination.
• Provide technical oversight and mentorship to junior staff and contribute to strategic planning for waterfront and coastal initiatives.

Benefits

• Healthcare: Medical, dental, vision, basic life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability programs.
• Paid Company and Floating Holidays: 7 paid company and 2 floating holidays annually
• Vacation: 3 weeks accrued paid vacation based on length of service. Vacation may vary by level.
• Sick and Safe Time: 80 hours annually
• Retirement Plan: 401k plan with an employer match

What This Job Offers

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