Senior/Principal Project Manager - Hydropower

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Salt Lake City, UT

5d•$95,004 - $145,236•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Senior or Principal Project Manager to support its growing Hydropower and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing team, led from Salt Lake City, Utah. The role provides hydropower and FERC planning, technical expertise, and leadership within the Salt Lake City Planning Department. The successful candidate will provide project management expertise and quality assurance and quality control, supervise and mentor staff, support business development, and help ensure technically excellent work is delivered from the Salt Lake City office and nationwide. This is a regular, full-time, salaried/exempt position reporting to the Salt Lake City office. The work arrangement may be hybrid or distributed/remote, and candidates anywhere in the United States are encouraged to apply. The requisition may be filled at the Senior Project Manager level, requiring eight years of relevant industry experience, including four years managing projects and some experience managing others, or at the Principal Project Manager level, requiring ten years of relevant industry experience, including five years managing projects and some experience managing others. Applicants should submit a cover letter with their resume. The position leads complex hydropower licensing and environmental compliance projects and multidisciplinary teams. Work includes developing and overseeing FERC and Bureau of Reclamation licensing documents, environmental assessments and impact statements, implementation plans, technical studies, and permitting documentation. The role maintains current knowledge of FERC, NEPA, and related hydropower regulatory frameworks; coordinates with clients and regulatory agencies; manages project risks, scopes, schedules, budgets, and quality; and contributes to proposals, business development, strategic planning, and cross-office collaboration. The position also mentors and develops staff and supports a collaborative, inclusive team environment. The role may involve domestic travel, including commercial air travel. Work is regularly performed outdoors and may involve hiking on uneven terrain, carrying equipment weighing 25–50 pounds, and working in varying or extreme weather. Employees may encounter vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions, while following required safety procedures. The expected annual pay range is $95,004–$126,672 for Senior Project Manager or $110,292–$145,236 for Principal Project Manager. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may receive performance-based bonuses. The Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, a 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, natural resource management, geology, or a related field; knowledge for the role is normally obtained through a bachelor's degree.
At least eight years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including four years managing projects and some experience managing others.
Eight years of relevant industry experience, including experience preparing or directing the preparation of FERC licensing documents and associated environmental compliance documentation.
At least four years managing multiple concurrent, complex, multidisciplinary hydropower projects, including leading meetings, directing project teams and subcontractors, and maintaining project budgets and schedules.
At least two years of environmental consulting experience.
Proven experience mentoring and supervising staff and supporting career development in a team environment.
Working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations, including NEPA, FERC, FLPMA, CWA, ESA, and NHPA, and the ability to develop project execution plans that meet regulatory requirements.
Working understanding of agency internal processes and procedures, including those of FERC, BLM, USFS, BOR, NPS, and USFWS.
Demonstrated experience engaging with utilities, developers, or other license applicants on hydropower licensing or compliance.
Experience supporting hydropower projects across project types, such as relicensing, amendments, compliance reporting, exemptions, pumped storage, or transmission-related actions nationwide.
Demonstrated experience providing senior-level QA/QC review of hydropower regulatory deliverables.
Collaborative teamwork, individual accountability, and behaviors aligned with SWCA’s values that contribute to an inclusive and supportive workplace.
A valid driver’s license and meeting SWCA’s driver requirements when driving is required.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification required for work-related domestic travel, when travel is required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field.
Ten or more years of hydropower licensing and environmental consulting experience.
Five or more years managing multiple concurrent, complex, multidisciplinary hydropower projects, including leading meetings, directing project teams and subcontractors, and maintaining project budgets and schedules.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Experience supporting business development efforts focused on federal agencies, renewable energy developers, utilities, or other non-federal applicants seeking permits or licenses.

Responsibilities

Lead complex hydropower licensing and environmental compliance projects, coordinating with clients and regulatory agencies to deliver technically sound and compliant work.
Manage multidisciplinary teams preparing FERC and Bureau of Reclamation licensing documents, environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, implementation plans, technical studies, and federal, state, and local permitting documentation.
Provide technical oversight and senior-level QA/QC review of hydropower licensing and environmental compliance deliverables.
Manage project execution, including project approaches, scopes, schedules, budgets, milestones, risks, and delegated tasks; revise plans as needed to address changing requirements.
Lead meetings with clients, license applicants, agencies, project teams, and subcontractors.
Maintain current knowledge of FERC, NEPA, and related hydropower regulatory frameworks, and communicate relevant updates to staff and clients.
Collaborate with team and office leadership on technical resource needs, project risks, regulatory developments, delivery constraints, and cross-office and cross-regional collaboration.
Contribute to pursuit strategies and proposals by developing staffing approaches and project execution methodologies aligned with team capabilities and market conditions.
Identify opportunities for repeat work and expanded services, and support national positioning through client meetings, industry events, and strategic discussions.
Support business growth, client success, technical innovation, and SWCA strategic planning.
Mentor and supervise staff, support their career development, and promote knowledge sharing, cross-training, and collaboration.
Build and maintain effective consultative relationships with clients, agency regulators, industry partners, and internal teams.
Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, specifications, and safety requirements.
Perform related work as assigned.