Senior Environmental Planner-Permitting Lead

Environmental Science Associates • Seattle, WA

22h

About The Position

Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm, is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner focused on permitting to help grow its environmental planning team in the Pacific Northwest. This senior-level role focuses on land use and environmental permitting for public- and private-sector clients throughout the Puget Sound region and the Pacific Northwest. The successful candidate will pursue and manage local, state, and/or federal permitting projects and may also apply expertise in SEPA and NEPA compliance, Washington State Growth Management Act comprehensive planning, and climate action and adaptation planning. The role offers opportunities to support new clients, learn new skills, contribute to business development, build client relationships, and provide market leadership.

The Senior Environmental Planner will lead permitting strategy and manage land use and environmental permits and approvals for assigned projects. Responsibilities include project execution, preparing permit applications and approval documentation, client communication, and managing project staff. The position also produces technical work and written products, serves as a subject matter expert, mentors junior staff, and supports business and client development, including preparing proposals, scopes of work, and budgets.

ESA's Northwest team includes environmental planners, scientists, and designers working on complex projects for public and private clients. The firm emphasizes creative thinking, diversity, multidisciplinary collaboration, environmental stewardship, and a sustainable and resilient future for communities and wild places. The position may require working onsite a few days per week when needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree with major coursework in environmental, urban or transportation planning, geography, public policy, science, or a related interdisciplinary field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Hands-on experience and comprehensive knowledge of land use and environmental permitting, including developing permitting strategies and navigating complex approval processes.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and processes in Washington State.
• Experience preparing complete and compliant permitting strategies and permit applications for local, state, or federal agencies.
• Ability to prepare concise, well-written, well-supported documents and explain complex topics clearly and persuasively to colleagues, clients, agency staff, teaming partners, project stakeholders, and the public.
• Experience with environmental compliance and permitting for projects of varying complexity and types, such as transportation, energy, airports, maritime ports, public infrastructure, recreation and parks, land use plans, adaptation or resiliency, and land use code analysis.
• Experience working on projects in Washington and Oregon.
• Collaborative approach, initiative in contributing to project and team goals, and ability to mentor and coach junior staff.
• Ability to manage project work in accordance with budget and schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with the Growth Management Act and comprehensive planning, including subarea plans and planned actions.
• Experience in western states other than Washington and Oregon.
• Expertise in SEPA and NEPA compliance, Washington State Growth Management Act comprehensive planning, and/or climate action and adaptation planning.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior permitting specialist, leading permitting strategy and providing leadership, direction, and day-to-day management of land use and environmental permits and approvals for assigned projects.
• Manage permitting services that may include local land use permits, such as Shoreline and Conditional Use permits; development permits, such as building and clear and grade permits; SEPA compliance; and Clean Water Act permits.
• Oversee project execution, prepare permit applications and approval documentation, communicate with clients, and manage project staff.
• Produce clear and concise technical work and written products, and serve as a subject matter expert.
• Mentor and support junior staff by reviewing work for accuracy and clarity, providing constructive feedback, and offering career development guidance.
• Develop environmental compliance and planning documents in accordance with applicable guidelines and requirements, delivering assignments within budget and schedule.
• Lead and support business and client development, including preparing proposals, identifying opportunities, developing capture strategies, and engaging with proposal and interview teams.
• Prepare scopes of work and budgets.
• Build client relationships and contribute to the growth and long-term success of the environmental planning practice.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid at 70% for the employee and their family.
• Annual allocations of company shares through the ESOP.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Professional development bonuses.
• Attendance at conferences.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior