We are looking for a Senior Environmental Specialist and Permitting Lead with a passion for environmental due diligence and partnering with clients to navigate the permitting process. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience working with the developing and preparing permit submittals in Washington and Oregon, preparing Endangered Species Act consultation documentation, supporting consultation with regulatory agencies, and project management expertise. Experience advising multidisciplinary teams on environmental impacts and permitting strategies is a must. Experience on energy transmission and/or renewable energy projects is preferred as is experience on linear projects. We are seeking a highly motivatedenvironmental specialistwiththe initiative to lead and who thrives serving in a role helping clients navigate federal and state permitting processes.

The candidate will represent clients in agency discussions, will plan and direct surveys and permit submittals, mentor and develop staff, and pursue and win new contracts. This is a senior-level opportunity in our Biological Resources Team and is focused on collaboration, quality, outstanding client service, and being part of a team with a passion to do great work and have fun together.

Who You Are 

You are an environmental scientist or biologist with a minimum of 10 years of experience leading permitting efforts in the Northwest. As a permitting lead you have technical experience in a range of activities such as biological surveys (e.g., wetland surveys, stream surveys); Endangered Species Act compliance; Clean Water Act Section 404/401 permitting; and interacting with agency partners. Your skills include the ability to manage medium to large-sized projects, and track milestones within schedule and budget expectations. You also possess experience providing QA/QC oversight of field data to support report writing and permitting. You value strong project management and a client-focused culture.

Your expertise also includes preparing and submitting federal and state permit applications in accordance with the requirements of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). You also have demonstrated experience with federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service. Experience with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and working with Washington’s Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) is a plus.

You have experience in both Washington and Oregon; experience in the eastern portion of these states is highly desired. You perform occasional field survey work, lead biological/natural resources field teams, safely operate, load, and transport equipment and gear, and cross fences, creeks, and other obstacles. Experience with digital field data collection tools such as GPS, ArcGIS Collector/Field Maps, Fulcrum, Survey 123 is desired, but not required.

You have an interest in business development and have experience acquiring work through your existing network.

You are within a commutable distance to Seattle, Portland, or Bend for in-person/on-site work as needed.

What You Will Do for ESA

As a Permitting Lead, you will apply your technical and project management skills to lead permitting tasks as part of Endangered Species Act compliance; Clean Water Act Section 404/401 permitting, as well as preparing and submitting permit applications for NOAA, USFWS, WDFW, and ODFW. You will work closely with project teams and clients to navigate permitting challenges. You will serve as a technical specialist, preparing and managing environmental analyses and coordinating with key team members, including senior staff, subconsultants, and clients. You will occasionally lead field surveys, and author/co-author technical reports. You will produce technical work and written products that are clear, concise, and well supported.

You will demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for leading large, multi-year, multi-disciplinary permitting efforts. In this capacity you may also serve as Project Manager and be responsible for managing scope, schedule, and budget. You will also take the 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.

You will lead and support business and client development efforts including preparing proposals, identifying opportunities, developing capture strategies, and engaging with proposal/interview teams. These efforts will include having the responsibility for preparing scopes of work and budgets. You will work collaboratively with other leaders focused on Business Development.

You will be committed to treating people respectfully and equitably. You will work collaboratively with teams and clients and you will consistently demonstrate attentive listening skills. You will communicate constructively and work cooperatively to solve project and team challenges.

You will provide mentorship and support for junior staff, including reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity and providing constructive feedback and career development guidance while working on projects together.

You enjoy fieldwork and can walk long distances carrying a backpack; and are able to lift at least 40 pounds. You are confident working outside, in remote and rural settings, as well as in urban environments. Physical outdoor work may include, but may not be limited to, work in all types of weather, traversing uneven ground and sometimes steep terrain in forested environments, fields, arid lands, along stream banks, and in coastal/intertidal areas. You may be exposed to inclement weather and uncomfortable working conditions. Some night and/or weekend work may be required. 

Driving needs: You will participate in compliance monitoring and reporting activities for on-going construction projects; you will work near heavy equipment. You possess a valid CA driver’s license, a clean driving record, and have experience driving 4WD vehicles off-road. 

What’s Special About Our Biological Resources Team in the Pacific Northwest

Our Biological Resources team includes Wildlife Biologists, Fisheries Biologists, Botanists, Wetland Scientists, Fisheries Biologists, Restoration Ecologists, Airports/Aviation Specialists, and Permitting and Environmental Compliance Specialists provide expertise for many public agencies, private developer, and non-profit organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Our work matters because we help clients deliver projects that improve the environment and communities. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration.

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company share through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.