Senior Environmental Planner Lead-(SEPA/NEPA)

Environmental Science Associates•Portland, OR

About The Position

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is seeking a senior-level Environmental Planner to help lead and grow its Northwest Environmental Planning team. The role focuses on SEPA/NEPA compliance in the Pacific Northwest, including leading complex environmental reviews and work related to GMA comprehensive planning, land use, equity, displacement, environmental justice, and climate action and adaptation planning. The team serves public and private clients throughout the Puget Sound region and the broader Pacific Northwest. The position combines project delivery and technical leadership with business development, client relationship building, and market leadership. The planner will lead or manage environmental compliance documents, contribute expertise in project-level review or programmatic comprehensive planning, zoning code and development-plan analysis, and apply NEPA experience where federal review is required. The role also includes mentoring junior staff, managing work to applicable requirements, budgets, and schedules, and developing scopes and budgets for proposals. The person may 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.
Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.
Hands-on experience and comprehensive knowledge of Washington State SEPA compliance, policy planning, land use and environmental permitting, and relevant regulatory requirements and processes.
Experience preparing concise, well-supported documents and communicating complex topics clearly and persuasively to colleagues, clients, agency staff, teaming partners, stakeholders, and the public.
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 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.
Collaborative team member who takes initiative, supports broad project or team goals, and mentors and coaches junior staff.
Ability to work onsite a few days per week when needed.

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.

Responsibilities

Lead, prepare, or manage the full range of SEPA environmental compliance documents and processes.
Specialize in project-level environmental review or programmatic comprehensive planning documents.
Conduct zoning code review and analysis and review development plans.
Apply NEPA experience to projects requiring federal environmental review.
Produce clear, concise technical work and written products and serve as a subject matter expert.
Mentor and support junior staff by reviewing work, 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 participating in 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.