Environmental Permitting Specialist We are seeking an experienced Environmental Permitting Specialist to lead environmental permitting efforts for large-scale infrastructure and energy projects. This role will be responsible for developing permitting strategies, securing environmental approvals, coordinating with regulatory agencies, and supporting project teams through planning, permitting, construction, and project closeout. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of federal, state, and local permitting requirements, extensive experience supporting NEPA processes, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments while maintaining project schedules. This position offers the opportunity to work on high-profile projects that have a significant impact on communities, natural resources, and critical infrastructure. Key Responsibilities Environmental Permitting & Regulatory Strategy Lead environmental permitting activities for infrastructure, utility, energy, and capital improvement projects. Develop permitting strategies that align with project schedules, milestones, and regulatory requirements. Identify required federal, state, and local permits and approvals early in project development. Prepare, review, and submit environmental permit applications, amendments, renewals, and variance requests. Manage permit acquisition efforts from project initiation through construction and project completion. Track permit conditions, reporting requirements, agency commitments, and regulatory deadlines. Agency Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as the primary point of contact with regulatory agencies and resource stakeholders. Coordinate consultations with agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO), environmental agencies, and local jurisdictions. Facilitate meetings and communication between project teams, consultants, and regulatory agencies. Respond to agency requests for information and provide technical support during permit reviews. Environmental Reviews & Compliance Support Support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews and related environmental documentation. Coordinate environmental studies and technical assessments required to support permitting efforts. Review project designs to identify environmental constraints and permitting risks. Recommend mitigation measures and permit compliance strategies to minimize environmental impacts and project delays. Ensure construction-phase activities comply with permit requirements and environmental commitments. Project Management Develop and maintain permitting schedules, milestones, and critical path activities. Monitor permitting progress and communicate status, risks, and mitigation strategies to project stakeholders. Manage environmental consultants and technical subcontractors responsible for environmental studies and permit support. Support project planning, budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation efforts.
Required Qualifications:
Education Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resources, Geography, Planning, or a related field.
Experience:- Minimum of four (4) years of environmental permitting experience.
- Experience supporting infrastructure, utility, transportation, renewable energy, or other large-scale development projects.
- Demonstrated experience preparing and managing environmental permit applications and agency coordination efforts.
- Technical Knowledge
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Clean Water Act (CWA) Sections 401 and 404 Endangered Species Act (ESA)
- National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
- Wetland and stream permitting
- State and local environmental permitting programs
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) processes
- SkillsStrong understanding of environmental permitting processes and regulatory requirements.
- Ability to manage multiple permits across concurrent projects.
- Experience developing permitting schedules and integrating permitting activities into project plans.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational and project management abilities.
- Ability to build effective relationships with regulators, clients, consultants, and project teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and related business applications.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience supporting FERC-regulated projects.
Experience with electric transmission, natural gas, renewable energy, water resources, or transportation projects.
Familiarity with wetland delineations, biological assessments, cultural resource investigations, and environmental field studies.
Experience managing environmental consultants and technical subcontractors.
Professional certifications such as AICP, CEP, PMP, PWS, or similar environmental credentials.
Proven success obtaining permits for complex projects while maintaining aggressive project schedules.
What Success Looks Like:
Environmental permits and approvals are obtained on schedule.
Regulatory risks are identified early and proactively managed.
Strong working relationships are maintained with permitting agencies and project stakeholders.
Environmental compliance obligations are successfully integrated into project execution.
Projects move through planning, permitting, and construction with minimal regulatory delays.
