Senior Environmental Planner

HDR•Vancouver, BC

68d

About The Position

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story' Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world. In the role of Senior Environmental Planner, we'll count on you to: Lead environmental planning and assessment services for medium-to large-scale transportation, transit, and rail projects across British Columbia and Canada. Provide senior technical and strategic advisory support on environmental approvals, permitting strategies, and regulatory pathways for complex infrastructure projects. Develop and implement integrated approvals and permitting strategies that align environmental, Indigenous, public, and political considerations early in project development. Prepare, review, and oversee environmental assessment documentation, technical studies, and permitting submissions in accordance with Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal regulatory frameworks, with a strong focus on defensible and timely approvals. Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams delivering technical studies. Coordinate Indigenous engagement, public engagement, and agency consultation activities in support of transit and rail project planning and approvals. Prepare for and participate in public meetings, stakeholder briefings, technical workshops, and regulator meetings related to project approvals Conduct environmental impact assessments, support cumulative effects analysis, and prepare constraints mapping to inform alignment selection, station siting, and construction staging. Advise public- and private-sector clients on environmental permitting, approvals sequencing, and compliance, including identification and mitigation of schedule and delivery risk. Lead quality assurance and review of environmental reports, technical memoranda, and approvals documentation. Provide direction to technical, administrative, and junior staff to ensure consistent quality and regulatory defensibility. Support business development, proposal preparation, and strategic client advisory work related to transportation environmental planning, approvals, and Indigenous engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or closely related field
A minimum of 10 years technical and/or field experience in complex environmental planning projects
Proficiency with MS Office Suite
Self-starter with excellent writing and communication skills
Strong conceptual, organizational, problem-solving and research abilities
Technical and/or field experience dealing with environmental impact issues, associated permit processes and documentation preparation/review
An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

Nice To Haves

Knowledge in GIS software and map-based analytical approaches
Experience on cross-border projects
Demonstrated experience delivering environmental planning, assessment, and regulatory approvals for projects in British Columbia.
Proven ability to manage multiple approvals streams and advise clients on regulatory risk and strategy.
Proven track record guiding projects through complex, multi-agency approvals and permitting processes.
Experience coordinating Indigenous engagement and consultation programs for linear infrastructure and transit projects in BC, including direct engagement with First Nations, Métis, and Indigenous organizations.
Strong understanding of the Duty to Consult and accommodate, cumulative effects considerations, and the integration of Indigenous Knowledge into environmental planning and approvals processes.
Demonstrated ability to consider and implement the implications of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) in environmental planning, assessment, and regulatory decision-making.
Strong, existing working relationships with the Government of British Columbia, including established connections with relevant ministerial offices and senior staff.
Deep understanding of engagement best practices for high-profile projects involving political sensitivity and public scrutiny.

Responsibilities

Lead environmental planning and assessment services for medium-to large-scale transportation, transit, and rail projects across British Columbia and Canada.
Provide senior technical and strategic advisory support on environmental approvals, permitting strategies, and regulatory pathways for complex infrastructure projects.
Develop and implement integrated approvals and permitting strategies that align environmental, Indigenous, public, and political considerations early in project development.
Prepare, review, and oversee environmental assessment documentation, technical studies, and permitting submissions in accordance with Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal regulatory frameworks, with a strong focus on defensible and timely approvals.
Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams delivering technical studies.
Coordinate Indigenous engagement, public engagement, and agency consultation activities in support of transit and rail project planning and approvals.
Prepare for and participate in public meetings, stakeholder briefings, technical workshops, and regulator meetings related to project approvals
Conduct environmental impact assessments, support cumulative effects analysis, and prepare constraints mapping to inform alignment selection, station siting, and construction staging.
Advise public- and private-sector clients on environmental permitting, approvals sequencing, and compliance, including identification and mitigation of schedule and delivery risk.
Lead quality assurance and review of environmental reports, technical memoranda, and approvals documentation.
Provide direction to technical, administrative, and junior staff to ensure consistent quality and regulatory defensibility.
Support business development, proposal preparation, and strategic client advisory work related to transportation environmental planning, approvals, and Indigenous engagement.