Senior Environmental Planner-Permitting Lead
About The Position
Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner focused on permitting to help grow its Northwest Environmental Planning team. The role leads and manages local, state, and/or federal permitting projects throughout the Puget Sound region and Pacific Northwest, providing expertise in land use and environmental permitting, SEPA and NEPA compliance, Washington State Growth Management Act comprehensive planning, and potentially climate action and adaptation planning. The position serves a range of public and private clients and project types, including transportation, energy, airports, maritime ports, public infrastructure, recreation and parks, land use plans, adaptation and resiliency, and land use code analysis. The Senior Environmental Planner develops practical permitting strategies, navigates complex approval processes, prepares compliant permit applications and approval documentation, and manages project execution, client communication, and project staff. The role also produces clear technical and written work, mentors junior staff, supports project delivery within budget and schedule, and contributes to business development through client relationships, opportunity identification, proposals, capture strategies, scopes of work, and budgets. The position is part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary, employee-owned environmental consulting practice working on complex regional projects. The candidate should be able to work 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.
- At least 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 developing permitting strategies and preparing complete, compliant permit applications for local, state, or federal agencies.
- Strong writing and communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and persuasively to colleagues, clients, agency staff, teaming partners, project stakeholders, and the public.
- Collaborative approach, initiative, and ability to contribute to project and team goals, including mentoring and coaching junior staff.
- 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.
- Ability to work onsite a few days per week when needed.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with the Growth Management Act and comprehensive planning, including subarea plans and planned actions.
- Experience in other western states.
- Expertise in SEPA and NEPA compliance, Washington State Growth Management Act comprehensive planning, and/or climate action and adaptation planning.
Responsibilities
- Lead permitting strategies and provide leadership, direction, and day-to-day management of land use and environmental permits and approvals for assigned projects.
- Manage project execution, permit application and approval documentation, client communication, and project staff.
- Prepare clear and concise technical work and written products, serving 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 group.
- Treat people respectfully and equitably and collaborate with colleagues and project stakeholders.
Benefits
- Medical insurance, with coverage paid at 70% for the employee and family.
- Dental insurance, with coverage paid at 70% for the employee and family.
- Vision insurance, with coverage paid at 70% for the employee and 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
