Lead Environmental Planning and Permitting Specialist

Serve as key member of WSP's regional Environmental Planning and Permitting program, with focus on project delivery, client communications, and project/task/staff management. Management and preparation of documentation compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for a variety of project scopes and clients. Specific tasks would include preparing and adhering to scopes, schedules, budgets, completing or overseeing all components of environmental documentation, and mentoring junior staff. Will work collaboratively with Environmental Planning and Permitting leadership and technical staff throughout the northeastern US. Proven experience with Federal and State agencies is a requirement; experience with regional Transportation is preferred.

• Assist with scoping, strategic planning, and developing permitting execution strategy for clients on a variety of projects, encompassing development of proposals, including development of scope of work/technical approach, budget, and schedule.
• Prepare and complete environmental survey reports, data entry, impact assessment, and permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g. ESA and CWA permitting, NEPA, state level environmental policy acts, etc.).
• Perform professional environmental planning work and conduct investigations, inspections, and environmental studies and surveys to gain further information on a particular environmental problem or issue, verify site characteristics, and/or to plan for future environmental needs.
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams in executing project work, permitting strategy, environmental impact assessments, and regulatory compliance, including project budgets, tracking hours and expenses, and task completion.
• Provide environmental risk identification and impact assessment, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level threat mitigation and permitting activities projects to minimize impacts to the health of the environment and the population.
• Assist with scoping, strategic planning, and developing permitting execution strategy for clients on medium- to large-sized projects.
• Coordinate with clients, resource/regulatory agencies, and environmental and technical staff in a confident and professional manner.
• Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide future ready solutions for clients.
• Actively engage in business development and proposal writing.
• Remain current in latest environmental planning subject matter, practices, regulations, and techniques.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Planning, Urban Planning, Environmental Policy, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
• 7 to 10 years of experience working in the environmental planning field, completing environmental impact assessments, and permitting.
• Highly proficient analytical skills and prior experience with research techniques, local/regional ecology, habitats, and applicable regulatory zone.
• Expertise and experience relevant environmental laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable Regional/State/Federal regulatory framework.
• Demonstrated experience leading and reviewing environmental planning technical reports, environmental impact evaluations, siting reports, and environmental permit applications and licensing, including field surveys and reporting, and resource and impact evaluations (e.g. commercial, renewable energy, infrastructure, etc.)
• Established experience coordinating with clients, regulatory permitting and resource agencies, and environmental technical staff required.
• Well-developed expertise with consulting practices, conducting NEPA / CEQA / other analysis and preparation of associated documentation.
• Highly proficient self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Proficiency with technical writing, office automation and communication software, technology, and tools.
• Well-developed 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.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree is preferred.
• Essential professional licensure/certification.

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About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. 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.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.