Senior/Principal Project Manager - Hydropower

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Salt Lake City, UT

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is hiring a Senior or Principal Project Manager to provide hydropower and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) planning, technical expertise, and leadership within its Salt Lake City Planning Department. The role supports the company’s growing Hydropower and FERC relicensing team and may be based in a hybrid or distributed (remote) arrangement, with candidates anywhere in the United States encouraged to apply. This regular, full-time, salaried/exempt position reports to the Salt Lake City office. The position may be hired at the Senior level, requiring eight years of relevant industry experience, including four years managing projects and some experience managing others, or at the Principal level, requiring ten years of relevant experience, including five years managing projects and some experience managing others. The Project Manager leads complex hydropower licensing and environmental compliance projects, directs multidisciplinary teams, oversees technical approaches and quality assurance and quality control, and ensures project milestones, scopes, schedules, budgets, and outcomes meet client and regulatory expectations. The role provides technical oversight for licensing and compliance deliverables; develops project strategies and execution plans; manages risk; and maintains current knowledge of FERC, NEPA, and related regulatory frameworks. It also contributes to business development, proposals, strategic planning, client relationships, and national positioning of SWCA’s hydropower services. The position includes mentoring and supervising staff, supporting career development, building cross-office and cross-disciplinary collaboration, and coordinating with clients, regulatory agencies, license applicants, subcontractors, and industry partners. Work products may include FERC and Bureau of Reclamation licensing documents, environmental assessments and impact statements, implementation plans, technical studies, and permitting documentation. Work is regularly performed outdoors and may involve hiking over uneven terrain, carrying equipment, and exposure to varying weather and environmental conditions. Domestic travel may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, natural resource management, geology, or another related field; knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor’s degree.
At least eight years of relevant, progressively responsible 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 client, license applicant, and agency meetings; directing project teams and subcontractors; and maintaining budgets and schedules.
At least two years of environmental consulting experience.
Experience mentoring and supervising staff and supporting their career development in a team environment.
Working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations, including NEPA, FERC, FLPMA, CWA, ESA, and NHPA, and ability to develop project execution plans that meet regulatory requirements.
Working understanding of agency 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 a range of 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.
A track record of collaborative teamwork, individual accountability, and conduct aligned with SWCA’s values and an inclusive, supportive workplace.
For the Senior Project Manager level, eight years of relevant industry experience, including four years managing projects and some experience managing others.
For the Principal Project Manager level, ten years of relevant industry experience, including five years managing projects and some experience managing others.
A valid driver’s license and satisfaction of SWCA’s driver requirements when driving is required.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification 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 budgets and schedules.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Experience supporting business development 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 permitting documentation.
Oversee technical approaches and provide senior-level quality assurance and quality control for hydropower regulatory deliverables.
Guide project execution and accountability, track milestones and outcomes, assess risks, and adjust or recommend changes to scopes, schedules, and budgets as requirements evolve.
Maintain current knowledge of FERC, NEPA, and related hydropower regulatory frameworks and communicate relevant updates to staff and clients.
Coordinate directly with clients, license applicants, regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and industry partners to facilitate project execution and maintain effective relationships.
Contribute to pursuit strategies and proposals, including 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, innovation, and strategic planning through technical excellence and development of new methods and standards.
Collaborate with the Team Lead and other leaders on technical resource needs, project risks, regulatory developments, delivery constraints, and cross-office collaboration.
Supervise and mentor staff, support career development, and promote technical excellence, knowledge sharing, cross-training, and team development.
Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
Perform related work as assigned.