Senior Lead Environmental NEPA Planner

WSP•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

We are a global leader in environmental consulting with world-class expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG), climate resiliency & sustainability (CRS), and earth sciences. Combined we have over 75,000 multidisciplinary professionals worldwide collaborating daily to protect and conserve natural landscapes, create firm foundations for communities to stand on, and champion sustainable development to combat climate change. As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and endless opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe. WSP USA is seeking a Senior Lead Environmental NEPA Planner to support service offerings as part of our Environmental Impact Assessment and Permitting Service Line in the South Mountain Region. Preferred location is Salt Lake City . The service line includes staff with diverse backgrounds and expertise including biologists, wetland scientists, environmental scientists and permitting specialists, environmental planners and project managers, and archaeologists with an emphasis on consulting within the energy, oil and gas, mining, transportation and government sectors. The successful candidate will be a proven industry leader in the NEPA and/or natural resources fields and possess a balanced portfolio of industry knowledge and skills to lead service offerings in this discipline. Experience in energy and/or transit is a plus.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
10+ years of experience working in the environmental planning field, completing environmental surveys, fieldwork, habitat and construction support, impact assessments, and permitting.
Highly proficient expertise with environmental planning skills for a specific ecosystem(s), habitat(s), and/or applicable regulatory zone.
Extensive knowledge of relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable Regional/State/Federal regulatory framework.
Demonstrated technical competence leading environmental permitting of assigned projects within business sector (e.g. commercial, infrastructure, transportation, energy, etc.)
Advanced expertise with consulting practices, conducting NEPA /other analysis and preparation of associated documentation.
Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to mid-level to senior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
Experienced with providing critical review for documents and preparing technical deliverables and plans with a high degree of complexity.
Strong self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.
Proficiency with technical and business writing, office automation and communication software, technology, and tools.
Extensive critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, and identify the most effective solutions to accomplish objectives of assigned projects.
Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree is preferred.
Essential professional licensure/certification.

Responsibilities

Provide oversight with data collection efforts for identifying and compiling observational, spatial, and environmental data concerning a variety of matrices for projects, investigations, and surveys.
Ensure the appropriate use of topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS data, and other visualization tools to determine exact locations of project areas, associated physical and wildlife sensitivities, and to uncover primary, secondary, and tertiary environmental impacts.
Prepare, complete, and/or review environmental survey reports, impact assessment, and permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act permitting, NEPA, etc.).
Ensure technical reports and presentations explain research, findings, and recommendations to plan, address, prevent, control, or restore larger-scale environmental challenges and complex problems.
Perform professional environmental planning work and conduct investigations, inspections, and environmental studies and surveys to gain further information on a particular environmental problem or issue, verify site characteristics, and/or to plan for future environmental needs, site impact, habitat types, and associated physical and wildlife sensitivities.
Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, models, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex and larger scale data, findings, or analyses.
Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, and recommendations to address, prevent, control, or restore more complex or larger-scale environmental problems.
Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams in executing project work, environmental planning, permitting strategy, environmental impact assessments, and regulatory strategy, including project budgets, tracking hours and expenses, and task completion.
Participate in the application process for environmental permits to address issues or concerns – undertaking any resulting corrective strategies to minimize impacts to the health of the environment and the population.
Provide high level oversite for desk-based research and site work, including measurements, data interpretation, demographics, patterns and trends, and computer modeling.
Coordinate with clients, resource agencies, and environmental and technical staff, providing a high level of strategic advice, consultancy, and subject matter expertise.
Develop a client base for providing high level environmental planning services including identifying additional business development opportunities and engaging in proposal writing and submission.
Mentor staff to support their growth and professional development.
Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide future ready solutions for clients.
Remain current in latest environmental planning subject matter, practices, regulations, and techniques.
Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.