Senior Environmental Planner

Do you have a passion for environmental planning & NEPA? Working on projects within transportation, national forests, & other public lands? Does combining your skills & passion to solve intricate challenges through teamwork & technical expertise sound like you? Great If so, ERO is for you. We are seeking a Senior Environmental Planner for our Denver, Colorado office.

At ERO, we have been solving environmental challenges for more than 40 years. Our diverse team of scientists, planners, & subject matter experts work together to craft innovative solutions within multiple regulatory frameworks while balancing change in our region with natural & cultural resource protection. Did we mention ERO is a certified women-owned business in Colorado?

We’re always looking for dynamic & engaged people to join our team Bring your expertise, your ingenuity, & your vision. Let’s see the impact we can create, together.

Position Overview

The Senior Environmental Planner requires a broad overall understanding of environmental regulations including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act, & Clean Water Act & the relationship among them. The Senior Environmental Planner is knowledgeable in & has experience managing small & large scale NEPA analyses and/or land and resource planning projects involving complex resource issues, agency relationships, and stakeholder dynamics. Duties for this position typically include performance and oversight of teams performing NEPA analyses. A Senior Environmental Planner will also be trained in and/or have significant experience managing public involvement efforts for NEPA or other planning projects. Other duties include development of large and complex planning documents, such as environmental impact statements, resource management plans, habitat conservation plans, and other management plans, and management of project teams and junior staff. A Senior Environmental Planner has extensive experience in agency coordination with various federal and state agencies.

Senior Environmental Planners are expected to have established client relationships and successfully win small and large projects for the planning group. Senior Environmental Planners effectively manage large, complex projects from start to completion, understanding the needs of the client and creating the project teams needed to complete the required work on time, within budget, and with high quality.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource planning, urban planning, environmental policy, environmental science, or similar discipline; or a combination of a biological science, such as biology or ecology, with extensive training and experience in NEPA or other planning; with 12+ years of applicable experience.
• Master’s degree preferable; with at least 10 years of applicable experience.

Core Competencies

The Senior Environmental Planner is expected to maintain the core competencies listed in the Project Environmental Planner position description, as well as the following:

• Clear understanding of new regulations or guidelines that can be communicated to agencies and clients, in person, in writing (including e-blasts), and in professional settings, such as panel discussions, etc.
• Completion of advanced professional development & trainings.
• Market and interact with clients, actively participate in develop strategic marketing plans for areas of interest or niches within new or existing markets.
• Develop and maintain relationships with strategic partners, including engineering, planning, landscape architecture, or other firms.
• Maintain relationships with federal, state, & local regulatory & advisory agencies, for whom planning documents are prepared.

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be physically capable & possess the skills necessary to perform all aspects of the position requirements, with reasonable accommodations.

Performance Expectations & Responsibilities

Senior Environmental Planners are expected to have the knowledge & experience to effectively carry out their responsibilities with limited reliance on a Principal or other Project Manager. The position requires a “consultant” approach & mentality to meet project schedule requirements & demands. The position may require greater than 40 hours per week at some times of the year & may require weekend work based on project schedule.

Senior Environmental Planners are expected to interact with clients, attend marketing lunches, conferences, prepare scopes & proposal documents, as needed. Employees in this position are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in all work settings, representing ERO with respectful courteous behavior & a positive workplace attitude.

Business Development (10%)

• Conduct marketing efforts, client outreach & retention through direct coordination, conferences, & other business development efforts.
• Acquire projects (complete proposals, client outreach, etc.).
• Develop detailed scopes & assumptions for projects of multiple sizes, complexities, staffing, & timing.
• Develop staffing plan as necessary & coordinate with other team members including subcontractors for feedback on scope, assumptions & cost.
• Complete detailed schedule & budget for scope items.
• Manage contract/subcontract details, Master Services Agreements or other blanket client arrangements.

Team Management Duties (10%)

• Work with Principal team lead(s), including contributions to yearly employee development.
• Team capacity planning with Principal team lead(s).
• Establish & enforce team safety guidelines.
• Provide mentoring & leadership to the team.

Project Management Duties

• Develop & execute work plans & processes that meet the needs of the client to address complex environmental and/or regulatory issues.
• Complete professional agency correspondence & coordination, & prepare work plans & project management, communication, public involvement, or other types of high-level plans.
• Lead/facilitate public meetings & multi-agency/stakeholder meetings.
• Direct or develop templates for deliverables.
• Work with staff & subcontractors on project deliverables & other schedules.
• Complete or direct completion of basic & complex regulatory documents independently, thoroughly, within schedule, & within budget.
• Delegate report documentation to junior staff efficiently & clearly communicate budget, billing expectations, scope, tasks, & schedules.
• Complete or direct completion of large technical reports such as technical reports for NEPA projects.
• Complete or direct coordination with GIS staff & Editors to modify & create figures for reports & final deliverables.
• Coordinate with clients on project deliverables, schedules, etc.
• Develop innovative approaches to effective & streamlined NEPA & other regulatory compliance.
• Maintain & ensure scientific & regulatory integrity.
• Provide project updates, as necessary, to the principal team lead(s).

Leadership Responsibilities

Senior Environmental Planners are expected to take on a leadership role. This includes:

• Be proactive, take initiative, & assist with Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
• Set an example for staff through professional, hard, & focused work.
• Continue educational opportunities as part of professional development.
• Mentor, provide training, & hiring opportunities to junior staff in scoping technical expertise/methods, regulations, reports, & client/agency communications.
• Assist leading resource meetings & developing standards/guidance documents for team.

Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products and Adobe Acrobat.
• Effective communication skills – written & verbal.
• Organization, managing multiple priorities, oversite of project staff & deliverables.
• Proven ability to conduct project management tasks & handle multiple priorities, including oversite of project staff & deliverables.
• Ability to collaborate with field teams & cross-functional teams throughout the company; with clients; & with regulatory agencies.
• Interpret & understand natural resource regulations, including Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, & Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

ERO offers a very competitive compensation package that includes:

• Salary position with a pay range of $80,000 to $120,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
• 10 hours/month paid vacation accrual (separate sick leave).
• 11 paid holidays that include office closure between Christmas & New Year’s Day.
• ERO pays on average 80 percent of health, dental, vision, & other insurance packages.
• 401(k) & financial planning assistance.
• Generous cell phone, field / office equipment stipend.
• Annual profit sharing & retirement plan contributions.
• Educational opportunities, including workshops, classes, & mentorship.
• Opportunities for advancement & opportunities for associate & board-level ownership for the right candidate.

Qualified applicants should send an email with a PDF cover letter, resume, & writing sample to opportunities@eroresources.com with Senior Environmental Planner in the subject line.

ERO participates in e-verify & pre-employment background screening services.

It is the continuous practice of ERO to encourage inclusion & provide equal opportunities in employment to all employees & applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in any condition of employment because of age 40 & over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.