Lead Level Project Manager - Utility Permitting

SWCA Environmental Consultants is actively seeking a qualified Lead or Senior Project Manager – Utility Permitting with strong interpersonal skills and experience in utility project permitting and project management. This role involves leading project teams, navigating permitting challenges, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations while supporting renewable energy and electric transmission projects.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with and lead project teams to navigate permitting challenges and meet client needs
• Take initiative and resolve issues to assure client needs are met effectively
• Lead and advise on all aspects of project implementation, including the development of permitting strategies, provide QA/QC of work processes and deliverables, and lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts
• Assist the Midwest/Northeast (MWNE) regional VPs and Directors in the development/updating and implementation of regional business plan(s)
• Develop internal SWCA network via relationship-building with peers and directors across the MWNE region
• Engage with SWCA’s Technical Director team to support quality initiatives, and development of policies & procedures in your areas of expertise
• Attend & contribute to office Business Development meetings in the Northeast offices as appropriate
• Contribute to the development of SWCA’s regional team by supporting hiring and staff development
• Engage with professional organizations, including attendance at conferences, trainings, and client-led events on behalf of SWCA
• Mentor regional staff – act as a technical advisor and quality control agent in areas of your particular expertise (especially regional permitting)
• Manage projects that include NEPA compliance, biological resource assessments and constraints analyses, state and federal Endangered Species Act consultations, Clean Water Act Section 404 and Section 401 permitting, state-level siting permits, and state wetlands permits
• Supervise, mentor, and provide project technical support to junior staff
• Work closely with SWCA’s resource scientists, environmental planners, managers, and directors in both natural and cultural resources groups throughout the company to promote SWCA’s business interests in adherence to its mission, vision, and values
• Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety
• Manage & support New-England-based projects, as well as other projects in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and beyond
• Help develop existing and new clients in the energy marketplace, taking a lead role in key accounts

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, botany, wildlife management, or a closely related field
• Lead Project Manager: Six (6) years of natural resources consulting experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and regions that include: energy facility siting and constraints studies, federal, state, and local permitting, NEPA compliance, and agency interactions at all levels
• Lead Project Manager: Three (3) years of experience managing projects, including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work
• Senior Project Manager: Eight (8) years of natural resources consulting experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and regions that include: energy facility siting and constraints studies, federal, state, and local permitting, NEPA compliance, and agency interactions at all levels
• Senior Project Manager: Four (4) years of experience managing projects, including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work
• Two (2) years' experience managing multidisciplinary staff to complete project permitting requirements and projects with renewable energy clients
• Experience in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and/or Rhode Island
• Demonstrated experience with state agencies such as state wildlife agencies (e.g. MA NHESP, CT NDDB, NH NHB, NY NHP), and state wetland agencies (e.g. MA DEP, CT DEEP, NH DES, RI DEM, NYSDEC)
• Demonstrated experience with applicable environmental state regulations (e.g., MEPA, SEQRA, CMRC policies)
• Demonstrated experience with federal agencies such as USFWS, EPA, NOAA, USACE, and FERC
• Prior primary report authorship and finalization for clients and agencies in a natural resource consulting context for a variety of project types and sizes, regions, and agencies
• Applicants must have valid driver's license and be able to meet SWCA's driver requirements
• Master's degree in biology, botany, wildlife management, or a closely related field
• Lead Project Manager: Eight (8) years of natural resources consulting experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and regions that include: energy facility siting and constraints studies, federal, state, and local permitting, NEPA compliance, and agency interactions at all levels
• Senior Project Manager: Ten (10) years of natural resources consulting experience on a variety of project types, sizes, and regions that include: energy facility siting and constraints studies, federal, state, and local permitting, NEPA compliance, and agency interactions at all levels
• Senior Project Manager: Five (5) years of experience managing projects, including developing and implementing budgets, schedules, and scopes of work
• Demonstrated established relationships with state regulators and key utility clients in the northeast
• Demonstrated success managing large multi-year utility projects through permitting, construction, and closeout
• Experience in more than one of the northeast states