Staff Level Environmental Planner

SWCA Environmental Consultants•Houston, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking an experienced, dynamic, self-motivated Staff-Level Environmental Planner with strong interpersonal skills and experience in natural resources evaluation and impact assessment. This individual will help successfully drive our projects throughout all project phases from early planning, assessment, and permitting through construction. The successful candidate will possess a well-developed understanding of environmental permitting in the Gulf Coast (Texas, Louisiana) across multiple sectors including oil/gas, transportation, renewables, and land development, and have strong communication skills. The successful candidate should have experience across a broad range of land use planning and permitting activities such as critical issues analyses, reviewing state and local regulations, ESA consultation; CWA permitting (Sections 404/401); NHPA compliance; and other applicable regulatory requirements. Skills include the ability to manage small to medium-sized project tasks, track permitting activities, review permit applications for compliance with regulations, and track milestones within scope, schedule and budget. Attendance at local public open houses and public hearings may be required at times. This is a full-time, hourly, regular (with benefits) position that will report into our Houston, Texas office. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience. SWCA offers a team-oriented work environment, competitive salaries, and a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership retirement plan (ESOP). Houston and/or Baton Rouge-area “hub” employees are preferred, though the flexibility of a hybrid work environment can be discussed. Remote (= distributed) work environments will only be considered for highly qualified candidates not local to Houston or Baton Rouge. This requisition can hire at two levels – Assistant Staff Environmental Planner – Typically with at least one (1) year of relevant industry expertise and experience. Staff Environmental Planner – Typically with at least two (2) years of relevant industry experience and expertise. Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

Requirements

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, natural resource management, geology, or other related field, or equivalent experience
A working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations including NEPA, CWA, ESA, and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
Demonstrated experience with federal and state agencies, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Energy (DOE), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
A minimum of one (1) year of environmental planning or consulting experience including a range of environmental compliance projects; supporting project teams; assisting with the preparation of technical studies and NEPA documents; and adhering to project delivery schedules
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and the ability to work on schedule
Community assessment knowledge is a plus

Nice To Haves

A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience performing environmental, ecological, or natural resources studies, surveys, or projects in the private or public sector
At least one (1) year working as an environmental consultant
Experience working with renewable energy, oil & gas, transportation, public utilities, and/or mining clients
Experience with working on multiple complex projects and programs, in diverse settings and with changing requirements
Experience leading staff and providing task supervision
Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced work environment, and a desire to work in a highly collaborative team atmosphere
Experience and/or a strong interest supporting business development efforts
Willingness to work with peers across various offices and accomplish tasks associated with a variety of projects in any given week
The ability to work directly with clients is a plus

Responsibilities

Contribute to environmental impact analyses
Support the development of Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs)
Facilitate public and agency outreach
Assist project managers or technical leads with the development of EAs and EISs, including NEPA documents, for business lines that may include oil and gas, land use planning, generation, transmission and others
Prepare key aspects of NEPA documents and navigate the NEPA process, including Pre-NOI activities and project planning; development of the description of the proposed action and purpose and need; document structuring and content planning; public scoping; public comment review and response; and Records of Decisions and Findings of No Significant Impact
Demonstrate technical proficiency in an area of specialization, while demonstrating broad understanding across multiple resource areas
Apply knowledge of NEPA and other regulations/guidelines to a variety of environmental planning projects
Take initiative and resolve issues to ensure client needs are met effectively
Work closely with SWCA’s resource scientists and environmental planners, managers and directors in both natural and cultural resources throughout the company to promote SWCA’s business interests in adherence to its mission, vision, and values
Write technical reports and permit applications for approvals under the Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other resource planning/permitting, and/or natural resource disciplines
Assist in the writing and development of written deliverables for project work and assist project managers in budgeting, scheduling, and tracking
Implement and administer SWCA’s safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics