Principal Environmental Planner - FERC

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Houston, TX

11h•Remote

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Environmental Planner to support our growing portfolio of complex, multidisciplinary environmental projects across the Gulf Coast and the broader Southeast. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a seasoned project manager who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and is passionate about delivering technical excellence, driving client success, and mentoring high-performing teams. This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, salaried position open to candidates based in the Gulf Coast, with flexibility for distributed (remote) work. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience. SWCA offers a team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries, and a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership retirement plan (ESOP). In this role, you will lead projects spanning infrastructure, energy, resilience, and environmental planning efforts, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. You will play a key role in shaping technical approaches, strengthening client relationships, and advancing SWCA’s reputation for quality and innovation. Periodic travel throughout the region will be required to support client engagement, project oversight, and team collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or other related field.
Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience.
Minimum of five (5) years of project management experience in a consulting environment.
Demonstrated experience in the development of environmental permit applications and NEPA documents pertaining to the authorization of interstate natural gas facilities regulated by the FERC (preferred) or other federal agencies.
Proven experience with agencies such as: FERC, DOE, USACE, and/or similar state agencies, primarily in the Gulf Coast and surrounding states.
Experience with project financials (budgets, forecasting, invoicing).
Demonstrated client management and business development experience (seller-doer).
Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and technical writing, in a variety of professional settings.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree
Minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant experience.
Minimum of seven (7) years of project management experience in a consulting environment.
First-hand experience in developing environmental permit applications and documents pertaining to the authorization of FERC-regulated facilities, including projects that utilize FERC’s Pre-filing Process.
Established credibility with reviewing agencies and clients.
Demonstrated experience with construction compliance or environmental inspection.

Responsibilities

Lead projects spanning infrastructure, energy, resilience, and environmental planning efforts, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Shape technical approaches, strengthen client relationships, and advance SWCA’s reputation for quality and innovation.
Manage proposals, scheduling, budget, and change management.
Lead meetings with clients and agencies.
Direct project teams or tasks.
Prepare or direct staff in the preparation of technical studies and NEPA documents.
Develop environmental permit applications and NEPA documents pertaining to the authorization of interstate natural gas facilities regulated by the FERC or other federal agencies.
Manage project financials, including budgets, forecasting, and invoicing.
Engage in client management and business development.
Provide construction compliance or environmental inspection.
Engage in resource agency consultations, receive stakeholder/agency input and provide informed responses.