Lead Level Project Manager - Utility Permitting

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Scarborough, ME

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a qualified Lead or Senior Project Manager – Utility Permitting with strong interpersonal skills and experience in utility project permitting and project management to join our team. This role will primarily support natural gas, renewable energy generation, and electric transmission projects located throughout the Northeast US, with a specific focus on the New England and New York area. The individual will work with a dynamic, company-wide team to drive projects through all phases, from early planning and permitting through construction. The ideal candidate will possess extensive environmental consulting and project management experience, preferably with specific knowledge of renewable energy generation, electric transmission, and gas transmission. SWCA is looking for a candidate to take on existing and future projects and help build our presence throughout the Northeast subregion. This role will report to our Scarborough Maine office, but candidates can be distributed, preferably anywhere within the New England and New York area. This is a regular (with benefits), salaried, full-time position. This requisition can hire at two levels: Lead Project Manager (typically with at least six years of relevant industry experience and expertise; eight years preferred) or Senior Project Manager (typically with at least eight years of relevant industry experience and expertise; ten years preferred).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, botany, wildlife management, or a closely related field.
Lead Project Manager: Six (6) years of natural resources consulting experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and regions that include: energy facility siting and constraints studies, federal, state, and local permitting, NEPA compliance, and agency interactions at all levels.
Lead Project Manager: Three (3) years of experience managing projects, including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work.
Senior Project Manager: Eight (8) years of natural resources consulting experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and regions that include: energy facility siting and constraints studies, federal, state, and local permitting, NEPA compliance, and agency interactions at all levels.
Senior Project Manager: Four (4) years of experience managing projects, including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work.
Two (2) years’ experience managing multidisciplinary staff to complete project permitting requirements and projects with renewable energy clients.
Experience in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and/or Rhode Island.
Demonstrated experience with state agencies such as state wildlife agencies (e.g. MA NHESP, CT NDDB, NH NHB, NY NHP), and state wetland agencies (e.g. MA DEP, CT DEEP, NH DES, RI DEM, NYSDEC).
Demonstrated experience with applicable environmental state regulations (e.g., MEPA, SEQRA, CMRC policies).
Demonstrated experience with federal agencies such as USFWS, EPA, NOAA, USACE, and FERC.
Prior primary report authorship and finalization for clients and agencies in a natural resource consulting context for a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies.
Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in biology, botany, wildlife management, or a closely related field.
Lead Project Manager: Eight (8) years of natural resources consulting experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and regions that include: energy facility siting and constraints studies, federal, state, and local permitting, NEPA compliance, and agency interactions at all levels.
Lead Project Manager: Three (3) years of experience managing projects, including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work.
Senior Project Manager: Ten (10) years of natural resources consulting experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and regions that include: energy facility siting and constraints studies, federal, state, and local permitting, NEPA compliance, and agency interactions at all levels.
Senior Project Manager: Five (5) years of experience managing projects, including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work.
Demonstrated established relationships with state regulators and key utility clients in the northeast.
Demonstrated success managing large mutli-year utility projects through permitting, construction, and closeout.
Experience in more than one of the northeast states.

Responsibilities

Work closely with and lead 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 all aspects of project implementation, including the development of permitting strategies, provide QA/QC of work processes and deliverables, and lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts.
Assist the Midwest/Northeast (MWNE) regional VPs and Directors in the development/updating and implementation of regional business plan(s).
Develop internal SWCA network via relationship-building with peers and directors across the MWNE region.
Engage with SWCA’s Technical Director team to support quality initiatives, and development of policies & procedures in your areas of expertise.
Attend & contribute to office Business Development meetings in the Northeast offices as appropriate.
Contribute to the development of SWCA’s regional team by supporting hiring and staff development.
Engage with professional organizations, including attendance at conferences, trainings, and client-led events on behalf of SWCA.
Mentor regional staff – act as a technical advisor and quality control agent in areas of your particular expertise (especially regional permitting).
Manage projects that include NEPA compliance, biological resource assessments and constraints analyses, state and federal Endangered Species Act consultations, Clean Water Act Section 404 and Section 401 permitting, state-level siting permits, and state wetlands permits.
Supervise, mentor, and provide project technical support to junior staff.
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.
Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.
Manage & support New-England-based projects, as well as other projects in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and beyond.
Help develop existing and new clients in the energy marketplace, taking a lead role in key accounts.