Senior Environmental Planning & Permitting Specialist
At Stantec, we believe a healthy environment is fundamental to our communities, natural habitat, and the planet – our work is instrumental in responsible development, ecological/habitat restoration, resiliency, and environmental sustainability. Our clients look to us for environmental advising and technical assistance so both communities and natural systems thrive. Stantec’s Environmental Services team is grounded in safety, quality, and ethics; and our experts lead their fields and guide our work with rigor, a creative spirit, and vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties around the globe and are committed to fostering an inclusive community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. We are a place to apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental talents on work that is critical to our clients and the communities they support. Join a team that has the environment down to a science. At Stantec, we always design with community in mind.
Your Opportunity
Stantec’s Mountain Region (serving the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and the Mountain States) is seeking a Senior Environmental Planning & Permitting Specialist at least 5 years of experience preparing environmental documents pursuant to the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As a Senior Environmental Planning & Permitting Specialist, you will provide assistance in the review and analysis of water and natural resources across a variety of projects for a diverse range of industries and clients, including federal, state, and local projects. This could include assistance with the preparation of technical studies and environmental documents under EFSC, SEPA, and NEPA, review of baseline reporting, incidental and/or disturbance take permits, Endangered Species Act permitting, federal and state waters permits, preparation of mitigation plans, and other work. Our EFSC work is primarily focused on photovoltaic solar, battery energy storage, transmission, and terrestrial wind projects. Our SEPA work is primarily focused on mining, linear (pipeline, transmission, fiber optic), renewable energy, military, and ports. Some projects trigger NEPA analysis when they include public lands (e.g., Department of Defense, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). Based on your interest, you will be afforded the opportunity to participate on other projects ranging from private redevelopment initiatives to long-range policy plans – we allow our team to pursue their individual passion. We have deep staff resources to assist you with your work. Successful candidates will be comfortable handling project development, management, and technical responsibility of environmental compliance and natural resources projects.
As a Senior Environmental Planning & Permitting Specialist, you will have a strong understanding of NEPA and EFSC and/or SEPA analyses, including impact determinations and demonstrated ability to lead preparation of documents under these environmental regulatory processes. Primary duties will focus on managing technical staff and QA/QC review of analytical sections of environmental documents and technical reports and surveys. Stantec provides for a flexible working arrangement include a hybrid model (i.e., a combination of office and remote working).
Your Key Responsibilities
- Lead state and federal permitting processes for a variety of permits (Clean Water Act, NPDES, threatened/endangered species, use permits, state water and air quality permits, transportation permits) and regulatory processes (NEPA, SEPA, EFSC), and consult on behalf of clients with state and federal agencies (USACE/JARPA, USFWS, BLM, USFS, BIA, NOAA Fisheries, state fish and wildlife departments, state transportation agencies, state and county planning divisions). Recommend permit strategies, drive timelines, and lead preparation of permit application materials.
- Conduct completeness reviews of technical documentation and prepare impact analyses across a variety of natural resources and work to ensure the team and project efficiency and success.
- Assist in data review and preparation of natural and/or human environment resource sections for EFSC and/or SEPA and NEPA baseline documents.
- Author and assemble technical reports including writing narratives, providing code/policy analysis, achieving analytical findings, producing exhibits, and providing strategy recommendations.
Your Capabilities and Credentials
- Demonstrated experience leading permitting processes for federal and state (Washington preferred) resource permits for renewable energy, infrastructure, transportation, or military projects.
- Thorough understanding of technical environmental impact analysis methods and sound knowledge of SEPA and NEPA requirements and related federal and state environmental regulations.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills (i.e., strong writer)
- Team oriented; ability to motivate self and others to overcome obstacles and achieve goals.
- Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and to prioritize and balance sometimes heavy workloads to achieve goals while keeping up with a highly mobile and changing environment.
- Experience and ability in collaborative problem solving with teammates, stakeholders, and clients.
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work independently and successfully lead development of specialized resource documents.
- Ability to lead marketing and business development efforts to expand current project and client base (i.e., author proposals, participate in interviews, identify opportunities, attend conferences).
- Experience with federal NEPA processes and Washington SEPA and state resource permitting processes (e.g., water, air, coastal, threatened/endangered species) preferred.
- Broad experience with permitting processes in the Pacific Northwest.
- Excellent ability to facilitate decision making and issue resolution processes is a plus.
- Must have a good driving record and valid driver’s license.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental policy, environmental planning, or related field, and at least 8 years of related experience.
- 5+ years of experience, preferably in environmental consulting, or working for a federal/state environmental agency and/or 5+ years of experience working with environmental permitting projects relating to SEPA and NEPA. Experience with additional regulatory requirements and state resource permit processes a plus.
- Experience with project leadership.
- Experience writing technical reports.
- Understanding of state and federal environmental laws, rules, and review procedures.
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other’s talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best.