Senior Planning Team Lead

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Senior Planning Team Lead to support its Great Basin operations. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, this regular, full-time, salaried/exempt position provides leadership within the Planning and Permitting Program through management of staff, projects, and client relationships. The role reports to the Great Basin Planning Director. Work may be performed in the office, in a hybrid arrangement, or as a distributed employee located in the region. The position leads environmental planning and permitting work, including NEPA analyses and documents, environmental permits, land-use approvals, and reviews for renewable energy, transmission, mining, land-use planning, and related infrastructure projects. It also supports regional strategy and business development by identifying growth opportunities, participating in pursuits, and building relationships with clients, agencies, and stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring substantial environmental consulting and NEPA experience, familiarity with the Great Basin business environment, demonstrated leadership, and the ability to manage complex multidisciplinary projects and mentor others. The work environment is collaborative and supportive. Work is regularly performed outdoors and may involve hiking over uneven terrain, carrying equipment, and exposure to varying weather and other environmental conditions. Domestic travel may be required. The expected annual pay range for the Salt Lake City-based position is $95,908.80 to $124,571.20; actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other permitted factors. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another planning- or science-related field, or equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.
At least eight years of planning or NEPA document preparation experience in environmental consulting, including some experience managing others.
Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and emotional-intelligence skills.
Attention to detail and strong organization, schedule-management, and budget-management skills.
Experience with complex multidisciplinary projects; leading client and agency meetings; directing project teams, including subcontractors; preparing or directing technical studies and planning/NEPA documents; and managing project budgets and delivery schedules.
Working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations, including NEPA, FLPMA, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act, and ability to develop project execution plans for regulatory compliance.
Working understanding of agency processes and procedures, such as those of the BLM, USFS, NPS, BOR, and/or USFWS.
Proven experience in a subset of public lands, land-use planning, natural and cultural resource issues, wind and solar projects, transportation projects, and/or oil and gas projects in the western United States.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.
Collaborative teamwork, individual accountability, and behaviors aligned with SWCA’s values that contribute positively to an inclusive and supportive workplace.
Ability to obtain and maintain valid travel documents and identification required for work-related domestic travel, if travel is required.
Ability to hike over uneven terrain, lift and carry equipment weighing up to 25–50 pounds, and work in varying or extreme weather and other outdoor conditions.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another planning- or science-related field.
Ten years of planning or NEPA document preparation experience in environmental consulting.
Experience supporting business development with federal agencies, RMPs, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy developers, or other non-federal applicants seeking permits or leases from federal agencies.
Located in the Salt Lake City, Utah, or Great Basin area.
Interest in pursuing new business.

Responsibilities

Supervise and manage planning staff and project teams to meet project goals, timelines, and quality standards.
Develop and implement strategic plans for staff and project-team performance, setting objectives and providing guidance.
Oversee and lead preparation and review of planning documents, ensuring thorough analysis and compliance with applicable environmental regulations.
Promote collaboration and communication within the team and across departments.
Conduct performance evaluations, provide feedback, and support team members’ professional development.
Engage with clients and regulatory agencies to understand project requirements, address concerns, and achieve successful outcomes.
Identify and implement solutions to complex planning challenges and ensure technical work is accurate, complete, and compliant.
Manage project budgets, schedules, and resources, adjusting as project needs evolve.
Follow applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
Support execution of regional Environmental Planning strategies and business objectives.
Evaluate market conditions and identify growth opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
Lead go/no-go evaluations and support proposal development, marketing pursuits, and capture planning.
Foster a sell-doer culture through mentoring, accountability, and participation in business development.
Develop relationships with industry organizations, agency representatives, and key stakeholders to strengthen regional market presence.
Lead environmental impact analyses and prepare NEPA, state, and local environmental review documents, including EAs, EISs, critical-issue analyses, and environmental permits.
Provide technical leadership for environmental reviews supporting renewable energy, transmission, mining, land-use planning, and related infrastructure projects.
Guide NEPA processes, including baseline studies, purpose-and-need development, public scoping, comment response, and preparation of Records of Decision and Findings of No Significant Impact.
Oversee county and state land-use approvals and environmental permitting, including special-use permits and certificates of environmental compatibility.
Perform related work as assigned.