Environmental Planner

Solstice Alaska Consulting, Inc. (SolsticeAK) is an Alaska-focused small business specializing in environmental planning, permitting, public involvement, and grant writing.

Position overview: SolsticeAK is hiring an environmental planner to help with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental documentation, permitting, and public involvement for the development of infrastructure projects throughout the state of Alaska. The environmental planner would coordinate inter-agency and stakeholder collaboration and research environmental conditions to prepare environmental assessments, reports, and permit applications for projects throughout Alaska, meeting federal, state, and local agency policy requirements. The environmental planner would coordinate with project engineers, agency representatives, and stakeholders while synthesizing data from technical and resource reports, public databases, design documents, and other sources. The environmental planner would also develop and execute NEPA-related public engagement strategies including: planning public and inter-agency meetings and composing meeting advertisements; maintaining project contact lists and distributing e-newsletters and mailers with project updates; cataloging, analyzing, and addressing public and agency comments and concerns; and preparing related documentation including public involvement plans, reports, and presentations.

The successful environmental planner would be able to:

·      Collect and organize project-related information into a cohesive product

·      Write environmental reports

·      Prepare environmental permit applications 

·      Communicate (verbal and written) technical and scientific concepts with a diverse audience including laymen, project engineers, agencies, colleagues, etc.  

·      Compose written communications (letters, emails, memos, etc.) to agencies, stakeholders, and the public

·      Conduct work with a positive attitude and good humor

Essential skills/qualifications:

·      Excellent writing skills and experience with technical writing

·      Knowledge of and experience living and working in Alaska

·      3 years (preferred) demonstrated work experience in an environmental-related field

·      Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines

·      Demonstrated past successes working independently and as part of a team

·      B.A./B.S. degree, preferably with a focus in science, policy, and/or writing

o  Relevant degrees may include: natural sciences, biology, environmental studies, public policy, land use planning, law, natural resources management, public administration, geography, conservation, or a related field

Additional desired (non-essential) skills/qualifications:

·      Experience/advanced degree: Additional demonstrated work experience (5-10 years) and/or an advanced degree pertaining to science, policy, and/or writing or a related field

·      Environmental policy technical expertise: Experience and knowledge in a broad range of technical and regulatory requirements, specifically with an understanding of NEPA

·      Environmental permitting: Experience obtaining environmental permits for infrastructure projects with local, state, and federal agencies

·      Marine science: Expertise in marine mammal monitoring and navigating the permitting process for marine infrastructure projects

·      Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Experience using GIS to create maps and analyze data

·      Public involvement: Experience coordinating and facilitating public/agency meetings, writing newsletters/fact sheets/news releases, developing mailing lists, preparing public communication plans, or knowledge of public planning methods and communication techniques

·      Graphic design: Experience developing graphic design materials, maintaining websites, and managing social media initiatives

Location: This position is based in Anchorage, Alaska, and the employee would work from the midtown Anchorage office. Remote work from elsewhere in Alaska may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Position type: SolsticeAK is seeking to fill a full-time equivalent position (a minimum of 32-35 hours per week). A part-time position may be considered.

Compensation: Salary would be commensurate with experience. Full-time employees are eligible for 10 paid holidays as well as paid vacation, health and dental care plans, and matching contributions to a 401(k) plan.

Apply: To apply for this position, send a cover letter and resume to solsticeak@solsticeak.com. SolsticeAK is accepting applications and conducting interviews on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled. Preferred start date is as soon as possible.

It is a SolsticeAK policy to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, gender, physical or mental disability/handicap, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply.

For additional details about SolsticeAK, visit www.solsticeak.com.