Senior Environmental Planner Lead-(SEPA/NEPA)
About The Position
Environmental Science Associates (ESA), a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm, is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner with strong SEPA/NEPA expertise to support and grow its Northwest Environmental Planning team. The role focuses on leading SEPA projects and environmental review, as well as GMA comprehensive planning, land use, equity, displacement, environmental justice, and climate action and adaptation planning across the Puget Sound region and Pacific Northwest. The planner will work with public and private clients, including municipalities, water districts, energy providers, transit agencies, educational institutions, airports, maritime ports, telecommunications providers, and private developers. This senior-level role combines technical project leadership with business development, client relationship building, and market leadership. The successful candidate will manage environmental compliance and planning work, provide technical expertise and quality written products, mentor junior staff, and contribute to proposals, scopes, budgets, and capture strategies. The position is suited to someone who thrives in a dynamic, client-focused growth environment, collaborates across disciplines, and is open to learning new skills and supporting varied project needs. The role may require onsite work a few days per week when needed. ESA describes its Northwest team as a multidisciplinary group of environmental planners, scientists, and designers working on complex regional projects and at the forefront of environmental and climate science, planning, and policy. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, employee stock ownership allocations, a 401(k) with company match, paid vacation, sick leave and holidays, tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and conference attendance.
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 SEPA compliance, policy planning, land use and environmental permitting, and applicable regulatory requirements and processes in Washington state.
- Experience leading complex environmental review processes, developing compliance strategies, working with lead agencies and project teams, and guiding projects through environmental review.
- Experience preparing concise, well-written, well-supported documents and presenting complex information understandably and persuasively.
- Experience preparing complete and compliant permit applications for local, state, or federal permitting entities.
- Experience with environmental compliance and permitting for projects of varying complexity, such as transportation, energy, airports, maritime ports, public infrastructure, recreation and parks, land use plans, adaptation or resiliency, and land use code analysis.
- Collaborative approach, initiative in supporting project and team goals, and experience mentoring and coaching junior staff.
- Ability to work in a dynamic, client-focused environment with shifting priorities and varied project needs.
- Ability to identify growth opportunities and build client relationships.
- Ability to work onsite a few days per week when needed.
- Commitment to treating people respectfully and equitably.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with GMA and comprehensive planning, including subarea plans and planned actions.
- Experience working on projects in Washington and Oregon; experience in other western states is also a plus.
Responsibilities
- Lead, prepare, or manage the full range of SEPA environmental compliance documents, including project-level environmental reviews and programmatic comprehensive planning documents.
- Apply NEPA experience to projects requiring federal environmental review.
- Conduct zoning code review and analysis and review development plans.
- Prepare clear, concise technical work and written products and serve as a subject matter expert.
- Prepare complete and compliant permit applications and manage environmental compliance and permitting for projects of varying complexity and types.
- Develop environmental compliance and planning documents in accordance with applicable requirements and guidelines, delivering assignments within budget and schedule.
- Mentor and support junior staff by reviewing work for accuracy and clarity and providing constructive feedback and career development guidance.
- 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 and build client relationships to support regional business development goals.
- Collaborate with colleagues, clients, agency staff, teaming partners, project stakeholders, and the public, and communicate complex topics persuasively and understandably.
Benefits
- Medical insurance, with 70% paid for the employee and family.
- Dental insurance, with 70% paid for the employee and family.
- Vision insurance, with 70% paid 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
