Principal Environmental Planner - Transmission (located in Bay Area)

Swca Inc•Half Moon Bay, CA

45d•$130,965 - $170,651

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a self-motivated Principal Environmental Planner/Project Manager - Transmission (HR Title = Principal Environmental Planner) with strong interpersonal skills and experience in permitting and multidisciplinary project management to join our team and primarily support electric transmission projects. This individual will work with a dynamic and company-wide team to successfully drive transmission projects throughout all phases, from early planning and permitting through construction. This position will be based in the San Francisco Bay Area and requires candidates to be located in the Bay Area Metropolitan Area. Opportunities to work with other offices in California and across the country will be available. The successful candidate will have technical expertise and experience in energy siting and constraints studies, permitting, California Environmental Act (CEQA)/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) permitting, and agency interactions at all levels. Required skills include the ability to manage large, complex projects and meet milestones within schedule and budget expectations as well as competency in providing quality assurance, quality control (QA/QC) oversight. The candidate will be experienced in managing multidisciplinary staff to complete project permitting requirements. Attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work directly with clients is imperative. Interest in pursuing new business is also desirable. This is a regular status, full-time, salaried position. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience. Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in planning, biology, environmental science, natural resources management, archaeology, anthropology, geology, or a related field.
A minimum of twelve (12) years required of combined experience in environmental consulting, project management, planning, permitting, and/or technical studies.
Eight (8) or more years of experience managing multidisciplinary transmission project teams.
Demonstrated experience with CPUC compliance, including working knowledge of General Order 131-E, and previously 131-D, compliance. Experience managing preparation of Proponent's Environmental Assessments (PEAs) is preferred.
Candidate should have an extensive working knowledge of federal (e.g., NEPA, National Historic Preservation Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act [ESA]) and state laws (e.g., CEQA, California ESA) governing natural resources management.
Demonstrated experience with transmission projects and with federal agencies (such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), state agencies (such as California Coastal Commission, California State Lands Commission) and local agencies (such as San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission).
Experience with federal and state permitting for transmission infrastructure.
Experience managing construction compliance projects.
Experience with supervising staff and managing project teams.
Prior project management skills: scheduling and budget management skills.
Experience with business development with public utility companies and developers that seek permits or leases from federal or state agencies.
Ability to travel 10% of the time for projects, primarily travel within in Northern California.

Responsibilities

Lead, oversee, and execute the management of permitting efforts for electric transmission projects of all sizes and levels of complexity.
Work closely with project teams to navigate permitting challenges and meet client needs.
Take initiative and resolve issues to assure client needs are met effectively.
Lead and advise on the development of permitting strategies, provide QA/QC of work processes and deliverables, and lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts.
Manage projects that include CEQA/NEPA compliance, routing and siting, CPUC permitting, biological and cultural resource assessments and constraints analyses, state and federal Endangered Species Act consultations, and Clean Water Act Section 404 and Section 401 permitting.
Ensure that transmission projects meet quality, schedule, and budget objectives.
Manage project expectations while delegating and managing deliverables with key team members and stakeholders.
Work with SWCA's project controls department to review invoices, expenditures, and project audits for projects and tasks.
Work closely with SWCA's resource scientists, environmental planners, managers, and directors in both natural and cultural resources groups throughout the company to promote SWCA's business interests in adherence to its mission, vision, and values.
Implement and administer SWCA's safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics.
Support business line growth by contributing to business development pursuits and proposals.
Mentor early and mid-career staff in the development of the skills in interdisciplinary project management, CEQA/NEPA analysis, environmental permitting, and document preparation.
Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization.
Manage complex projects in diverse settings and with changing requirements.
Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.
Working in a fast-paced work environment and desire to work in a highly collaborative team atmosphere.

Benefits

Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses.
Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA's Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

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