Principal Environmental Planner - Transmission (located in Bay Area)

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a self-motivated Principal Environmental Planner/Project Manager - Transmission (HR Title = Principal Environmental Planner) with strong interpersonal skills and experience in permitting and multidisciplinary project management to join our team and primarily support electric transmission projects. This individual will work with a dynamic and company-wide team to successfully drive transmission projects throughout all phases, from early planning and permitting through construction. This position will be based in the San Francisco Bay Area and requires candidates to be located in the Bay Area Metropolitan Area. Opportunities to work with other offices in California and across the country will be available.

The successful candidate will have technical expertise and experience in energy siting and constraints studies, permitting, California Environmental Act (CEQA)/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) permitting, and agency interactions at all levels. Required skills include the ability to manage large, complex projects and meet milestones within schedule and budget expectations as well as competency in providing quality assurance, quality control (QA/QC) oversight. The candidate will be experienced in managing multidisciplinary staff to complete project permitting requirements. Attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work directly with clients is imperative. Interest in pursuing new business is also desirable. This is a regular status, full-time, salaried position. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants.

• Lead, oversee, and execute the management of permitting efforts for electric transmission projects of all sizes and levels of complexity.
• Work closely with 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 the development of permitting strategies, provide QA/QC of work processes and deliverables, and lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts.
• Manage projects that include CEQA/NEPA compliance, routing and siting, CPUC permitting, biological and cultural resource assessments and constraints analyses, state and federal Endangered Species Act consultations, and Clean Water Act Section 404 and Section 401 permitting.
• Ensure that transmission projects meet quality, schedule, and budget objectives.
• Manage project expectations while delegating and managing deliverables with key team members and stakeholders.
• Work with SWCA's project controls department to review invoices, expenditures, and project audits for projects and tasks.
• 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.
• Implement and administer SWCA's safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics.
• Support business line growth by contributing to business development pursuits and proposals.
• Mentor early and mid-career staff in the development of the skills in interdisciplinary project management, CEQA/NEPA analysis, environmental permitting, and document preparation.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization.
• Manage complex projects in diverse settings and with changing requirements.
• Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.
• Working in a fast-paced work environment and desire to work in a highly collaborative team atmosphere.

• Bachelor's degree in planning, biology, environmental science, natural resources management, archaeology, anthropology, geology, or a related field.
• A minimum of twelve (12) years required of combined experience in environmental consulting, project management, planning, permitting, and/or technical studies.
• Eight (8) or more years of experience managing multidisciplinary transmission project teams.
• Demonstrated experience with CPUC compliance, including working knowledge of General Order 131-E, and previously 131-D, compliance. Experience managing preparation of Proponent's Environmental Assessments (PEAs) is preferred.
• Candidate should have an extensive working knowledge of federal (e.g., NEPA, National Historic Preservation Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act [ESA]) and state laws (e.g., CEQA, California ESA) governing natural resources management.
• Demonstrated experience with transmission projects and with federal agencies (such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), state agencies (such as California Coastal Commission, California State Lands Commission) and local agencies (such as San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission).
• Experience with federal and state permitting for transmission infrastructure.
• Experience managing construction compliance projects.
• Experience with supervising staff and managing project teams.
• Prior project management skills: scheduling and budget management skills.
• Experience with business development with public utility companies and developers that seek permits or leases from federal or state agencies.

Additional Information:

• Ability to travel 10% of the time for projects, primarily travel within in Northern California.

We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture.

Purpose: 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.

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.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA's website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We're committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

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

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 Half Moon Bay based position can expect a salary of $130,965/year - $170,651/year. 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 (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA's continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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