Senior Environmental Assessment & Permitting Specialist

SLR Consulting; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consulting firm is seeking a Senior Environmental Assessment & Permitting Specialist in Vancouver, BC. In this role, you will lead environmental assessments and permitting projects, manage client relationships, and mentor junior staff. The ideal candidate has over 15 years of experience in BC's environmental sector and a strong reputation in the industry. This position offers flexible work options and the chance to make a significant impact in sustainability.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in environmental assessment and permitting in BC.
• Well-established reputation in the industry.
• Deep understanding of environmental regulatory and permitting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to the growth of permitting and regulatory practice.
• Manage multidisciplinary environmental impact assessment projects.
• Mentor and support junior and intermediate staff.

Skills

Strong technical writing skills

Leadership in environmental assessment

Client relationship building

Understanding of regulatory requirements

Education

Post-secondary degree in environmental science or related field

Job description

Overview

We are SLR Consulting (Canada), a 600+ team of advisory, environmental/engineering, and regulatory professionals across 20+ office locations in Canada. We deliver environmental and sustainability services to our clients through the integration of over 30 advisory, technical environmental, and engineering disciplines to help clients address some of their most complex challenges around sustainability. We are Making Sustainability Happen.

As our new Senior Environmental Assessment & Permitting Specialist, you will play an important role on a team whose work is essential to achieving this goal. We are seeking a recognized leader in environmental assessment (EA) and permitting of major resource development in BC, someone who is already well-established in the industry, with a reputation for credibility, technical excellence, and trusted client and regulatory relationships.

Preference is to be based in Vancouver, BC to be with other regional team members, with flexible work options. Travel across North America isn’t typical but may be for projects or team activities. Travel within Canada, particularly within BC, is a possibility.

Responsibilities

• Be a recognized leader and trusted advisor in the EA and permitting sector, leveraging your reputation and industry presence to strengthen SLR’s profile and impact in the market.
• Lead and contribute to the growth of our permitting and regulatory practice in Canada, including building and sustaining strong client and regulatory relationships, identifying new business opportunities, and leading successful proposals.
• Manage and oversee multidisciplinary environmental impact assessment, permitting, compliance, and due diligence projects from initiation to completion, across multiple sectors and geographies.
• Provide strong technical and strategic leadership in preparing complex environmental reports, regulatory submissions, and supporting documentation; review and approve work prepared by other staff.
• Foster and champion quality excellence in all aspects of your work and that of SLR.
• Oversee and coordinate inputs from multidisciplinary teams, ensuring technical accuracy, regulatory compliance, and alignment with project objectives.
• Represent SLR in industry forums, associations, and conferences, further building our profile as a trusted advisor in sustainability and permitting.
• Lead consultation and engagement programs with clients, regulators, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders, ensuring transparent, respectful, and effective communication.
• Mentor and support junior and intermediate staff, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing, professional growth, and collaboration.
• Promote and maintain a positive work environment through teamwork and cooperation.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree specializing in a related environmental discipline (environmental science or engineering, ecology, environmental law/policy).
• 15+ years of experience specifically in environmental assessment and permitting in BC or relevant Canadian jurisdiction.
• Well-established reputation in the industry, with demonstrated credibility and visibility through regulatory engagement, client relationships, published work, conference participation, or association involvement.
• Proven track record of developing business, building teams, and delivering high-quality EA and permitting services.
• Strong technical writing skills, with an ability to synthesize technical information and develop plain-language summaries.
• Deep understanding of municipal, provincial, and federal environmental regulatory and permitting requirements.
• Experience in an environmental consulting environment required; prior leadership in growing practices or business lines is a strong asset.
• Understanding of international environmental and social impact assessment standards is an asset.
• Ability to travel within Canada periodically, as needed.

SLR strives to build diverse teams that reflect the communities we work in, and encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented groups including women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, veterans, and people with disabilities.