Project Manager/Regulatory Permitting Specialist

WRA•San Francisco Bay Area, CA

11d•$95,000 - $122,500

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager with particular experience in environmental regulatory permitting to support a variety of projects in California coastal and estuarine environments including restoration, transportation, and public access projects. Our ideal candidate has experience with regulatory permitting, particularly in tidal systems, client coordination, project and budget management, and biological report writing. This position will be based in the San Francisco Bay Area out of WRA’s San Rafael or Emeryville offices and would report to Liz Allen , Sr. Permitting Specialist/Marine Biologist. In this role, you will: Work with team leaders, project managers, and technical staff to deliver high quality written work products to support a variety of restoration, transportation, public access, and development projects in California, particularly within the San Francisco Bay Area; Use technical expertise to guide and advise clients through environmental regulatory processes; Prepare permit applications for environmental regulatory agencies including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the California Coastal Commission (CCC) and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC); Prepare biological reports to support consultations with State and federal wildlife agencies (e.g. CDFW, the National Marine Fisheries Service [NMFS], and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS]); Manage medium and large projects, including internal staff and budget management and external client management; Delegate tasks to WRA technical experts and lower-level staff; Oversee and mentor early career professionals on permitting, preparation of technical studies, project management, and professional development; Share insights at internal practice group meetings; Prepare project proposals (scopes and fees); and Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

At least 3 years demonstrated project management experience, including timeline and budget management.
Experience developing and submitting permit applications to environmental regulatory agencies.
Experience interpreting civil engineering drawings to determine potential effects to sensitive resources.
Familiarity with CEQA processes.
Familiarity with GIS software.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical information effectively.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate within interdisciplinary teams.
Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel occasionally to field sites and in-person meetings.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace programs (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, etc.)
The ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.
Attention to detail, and willingness to proactively ask for guidance when needed.
Eagerness to learn about new topics, and to improve skills based on feedback.

Nice To Haves

Experience with environmental permitting and compliance in tidal ecosystems.
Experience working with public clients (e.g. cities, counties, park districts, transportation agencies).
Experience working with regulators in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Experience with competitive proposal processes.
Experience conducting land cover and/or vegetation mapping.
Experience conducting wetland delineations or similar mapping of aquatic resources.

Responsibilities

Work with team leaders, project managers, and technical staff to deliver high quality written work products to support a variety of restoration, transportation, public access, and development projects in California, particularly within the San Francisco Bay Area
Use technical expertise to guide and advise clients through environmental regulatory processes
Prepare permit applications for environmental regulatory agencies including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the California Coastal Commission (CCC) and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC)
Prepare biological reports to support consultations with State and federal wildlife agencies (e.g. CDFW, the National Marine Fisheries Service [NMFS], and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS])
Manage medium and large projects, including internal staff and budget management and external client management
Delegate tasks to WRA technical experts and lower-level staff
Oversee and mentor early career professionals on permitting, preparation of technical studies, project management, and professional development
Share insights at internal practice group meetings
Prepare project proposals (scopes and fees)
Other duties as assigned