Lead Environmental Project Manager

SWCA Environmental Consultants is actively seeking a Lead Environmental Project Manager to oversee a diverse portfolio of environmental projects in our Baton Rouge office, a key hub for our operations supporting the Gulf Coast region. Our Gulf Coast team is dedicated to providing innovative solutions for environmental challenges while fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.

In this leadership role, you will manage projects ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including NEPA and the Clean Water Act. You will play an important role in overseeing permitting efforts for energy projects (e.g., oil and gas, renewable energy and electric transmission projects), engaging with regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as State regulatory agencies in along the Gulf Coast region including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.

As a lead project manager, you will guide multidisciplinary teams through all phases of project execution, from inception to completion. Your expertise will be instrumental in conducting comprehensive environmental assessments, mentoring junior staff, and fostering collaboration. This position not only offers the chance to drive impactful renewable energy initiatives but also allows you to uphold SWCA‘s mission, vision, and values while ensuring project success and client satisfaction.

This is a permanent full-time benefited position offering the flexibility of hybrid work, combining field, in-office, and remote work arrangements.

• Lead and manage a portfolio of environmental projects from inception to completion, focusing on medium-duration, high-dollar, and medium-complexity projects. Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), USACE/Clean Water Act Section 404 and 401 permitting, and Endangered Species Act consultations. Guide teams in navigating permitting challenges while adapting strategies to meet unique and shifting project needs.
• Manage and coordinate comprehensive environmental assessments, including wetland delineation, biological surveys, and cultural resource studies. Prepare detailed reports and documentation for regulatory submissions.
• Communicate directly with clients and regulators, ensuring all aspects of project delivery are met while modifying approaches to align with regulatory requirements and client objectives.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality results on time and within budget. Maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies to facilitate project success.
• Develop project management plans, review invoices, and ensure projects meet schedules, budgets, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Perform final quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of deliverables to ensure conformity to client requirements. Prepare and implement project safety plans, ensuring adherence to safety protocols throughout all phases of project execution.
• Take a lead role in pursuing project opportunities within new and existing clients supporting our various business lines including oil and gas; renewable energy; electric transmission; state, local and water agencies; and land development.
• Prepare draft scopes and budgets for mid- to large-size projects for Gulf Coast opportunities, and contributing to larger proposals that involve multidisciplinary, multi-office collaborations.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment. Supervise junior employees, delegating tasks to ensure effective project delivery.
• Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.
• Work closely with SWCA‘s resource scientists, environmental planners, managers, and directors in both natural resources, cultural resources, and environmental planning groups to promote SWCA‘s business interests and uphold its mission, vision, and values.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor‘s degree in an environmental-related field or a demonstrated equivalent experience.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in natural resource management, with a strong emphasis on permitting and compliance within the energy generation, transmission, and oil and gas sectors.
• Proven project management experience, with at least three (3) years leading projects and supervising teams.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local permitting laws and processes, as well as familiarity with NEPA compliance and related regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Proficient in technical software and tools relevant to environmental assessments and project management.
• Willingness to travel regionally (up to 25%).

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record‘s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Baton Rouge, LA -based position can expect a salary of $79,040 to $104,000/year. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA‘s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

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.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA‘s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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