Senior Technical Manager - Environmental Planning and Permitting

WSP • Portland, ME

2d

About The Position

Play a key role in expanding WSP’s environmental planning portfolio across Maine and the broader New England region. This position combines business development, client relationship management, and high‑level technical environmental planning expertise to support and grow work in commercial, industrial, utility, energy, transmission, development, and transportation markets.
You will provide senior technical direction on environmental planning projects, including environmental impact assessments, site evaluations, hazard mitigation, resource and land use planning, permitting strategies, restoration and resilience planning, and public involvement. You will ensure that environmental planning processes are executed with exceptional quality and in full compliance with federal, state, and regional regulatory frameworks, particularly those governing New England ecosystems and infrastructure. This role includes advising project managers on complex environmental challenges, supporting permitting and mitigation strategies, and ensuring long‑term ecological risks are appropriately assessed and addressed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, Urban Planning, Environmental Policy, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
• 10+ years of experience working in the environmental planning field, completing environmental impact assessments, planning studies, 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 / CEQA / 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

• AICP certification is preferred.
• Other essential professional licensure/certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee environmental planning and analyses across Maine and New England to support project development.
• Direct the use of GIS, topographic mapping, aerial imagery, and spatial analysis tools to evaluate project locations, resource sensitivities, and potential environmental impacts.
• Prepare, review, and provide senior oversight for environmental impact assessments, technical reports, and permitting documentation, including NEPA, MEPA, CEPA, Clean Water Act permitting, Endangered Species Act evaluations, and other federal and state regulatory processes.
• Communicate complex environmental concepts, findings, and recommendations through high‑quality technical reports, presentations, and client‑facing materials.
• Oversee project execution, including budgets, schedules, scope adherence, environmental strategy, permitting pathways, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Participate in and guide environmental permitting processes, including regulatory engagement, response strategies, mitigation planning, and stakeholder coordination.
• Provide experienced oversight for desk‑based research, demographic and trend analyses, environmental modeling, and technical data interpretation.
• Serve as a key point of contact for clients, regulatory agencies, and internal teams—delivering high-level strategic advice and subject matter expertise.
• Proactively identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities across Maine and New England, including proposal leadership, client outreach, and positioning strategies.
• Mentor, coach, and develop staff, supporting growth in technical capabilities and project leadership.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop future‑ready solutions aligned with regional environmental and infrastructure needs.
• Maintain current knowledge of evolving environmental regulations, permitting pathways, planning practices, and regional ecological considerations.
• Exercise responsible, ethical decision‑making related to WSP resources and conduct, in alignment with WSP’s Code of Conduct and policies.
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support business and project growth across New England.

Benefits

• Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees