Project Level Environmental Planner

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is expanding our team and actively looking for dynamic individuals who are following their passion in delivering the highest-quality project work. Our Houston, TX team is looking for a self-motivated Project-Level Environmental Planner with attention to detail and strong communication skills.

We are considering candidates at the below levels of positions, based on relevant years of experience to the role:

Assistant Project Environmental Planner-3 years of experience

Associate Project Environmental Planner-5 years of experience

Project Environmental Planner-7 years of experience

Individuals need to be willing and able 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 imperative. The interest in pursuing new business is also desirable.

This is a permanent full-time, regular position, reporting to one of SWCA’s Project Managers.

Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story.

What you will accomplish

You will be responsible for performing environmental impact analyses, facilitating public and agency outreach, and providing quality assurance and leadership during the development of EAs and EISs.  Specific responsibilities include:

• Contribute to the preparation of a variety of environmental planning documents addressing the development of a wide variety of projects and revision of project plans. This may include leading, writing, or managing the preparation of NEPA and pre-NEPA or other support documents related to projects managed by federal agencies or for those that occur on federal lands as well as environmental reports or other project planning documents for project occurring on state, or private lands.
• Support business line growth objectives and lead or contribute to the development of NEPA document, including EAs and EISs, for business lines that may include transportation, oil & gas, disaster recovery and others.
• Assist teams by providing technical oversight and guidance for the preparation of key aspects of NEPA documents and the NEPA process, including Pre-NOI activities and project planning; development of the description of the proposed action and purpose and need; NEPA document structuring and content planning; public involvement and outreach including public scoping; public comment review and response; and Records of Decisions and Findings of No Significant Impact.
• Demonstrate excellent leadership behavior and professionalism while providing leadership at the project, team, and office level.
• Provide enterprise-level support by contributing to business development pursuits and proposals.
• Work with the South Central / Gulf Coast team to develop individual and collective NEPA analysis and document preparation skills.

Experience and qualifications for success

We seek a team member who brings with him/her demonstrated experience in NEPA project management, environmental analysis, and agency consultation. We seek the following specific qualities:

• Bachelor's degree in anthropology, environmental planning, environmental science, or another science-related field.
• Experience normally obtained with a minimum of (3) years of demonstrated writing technical documents, participating on project teams, preparing or directing staff in the preparation of technical studies and/or setting and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules.
• Experience with agencies such as: FEMA, USACE, HUD, EPA, DOT and/or FERC.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization.
• A working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and /or the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), the now rescinded Secretarial Order 3355.
• A working understanding of agency internal processes and procedures with federal land management and regulatory agencies.
• Exposure to natural and cultural resource issues, wind projects, transportation projects, oil/gas project, and/or renewables projects.

PREFERRED or HELPFUL

• Seven (7) or more years of NEPA document preparation and experience in environmental consulting. Experience may include complex or multi-disciplinary projects; leading meetings with clients and agencies; directing project teams including subcontractors; preparing or directing staff in the preparation of technical studies and NEPA documents; and setting and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules.
• Experience with scheduling and budget management skills.
• Ability to be recognized by clients and agencies as a NEPA project manager or deputy project manager that can lead or assist with an EA or an EIS from pre-NEPA planning phases through project completion.
• Experience with business development with federal agencies, disaster recovery, oil and gas, and renewable energy developers or other non-federal applicants that seek permits or leases from federal agencies in the Gulf Coast / South Central geography.

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.  We will encourage you to grow and develop your career with us through our technical and professional development programs and diverse career opportunities. We believe in leadership at all levels. No matter where you sit in the organization you can make a lasting impact on the projects you work on, the teams and committees you join and our business.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

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 Houston, TX-based position can expect a rate / salary of:

Assistant Project Environmental Planner-$27.83-35.70 / hour

Associate Project Environmental Planner-$65,520-$84,084 annual salary

Project Environmental Planner-$74,256-$96,096 annual salary

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.

Employees in this position are eligible for consideration for SWCA’s bonus program, which provides awards based on individual and organizational performance.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

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