Environmental Permitting Project Manager

WSP; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking an Environmental Permitting Project Manager to support our Natural Resources and Environmental Planning practice across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. This role focuses on managing permitting strategy, environmental compliance, and regulatory coordination for energy, oil & gas, utilities, transportation, industrial, and infrastructure projects.

The selected candidate will lead permitting and environmental planning efforts, collaborate with biologists, engineers, and regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Planning, Ecology, Geography, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in natural resources, environmental permitting, or related field.
• Experience with Texas, Louisiana and/or Oklahoma projects.
• Knowledge of NEPA, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and related regulations.
• Experience coordinating with USACE, USFWS, NOAA, EPA, and state agencies.
• Strong project management, budgeting, and client communication.

Responsibilities

• Manage permitting strategies and environmental planning projects across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
• Prepare permit applications, regulatory documents, and environmental assessments.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies for project approvals.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and mentoring junior staff.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and client proposals.
• Maintain strong client relationships and support business development.
• Ensure safety and quality in project delivery.

Skills

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

Technical writing

Client communication

Team collaboration

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Planning, Ecology, Geography, or related field

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is seeking an Environmental Permitting Project Manager to support our Natural Resources and Environmental Planning practice across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. This role will focus on managing the permitting strategy, environmental compliance, natural resource assessments, and regulatory coordination for a variety of projects within the energy, oil & gas, utilities, transportation, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.

The selected candidate will manage permitting and environmental planning projects, working closely with subject matter experts, biologists, environmental planners, engineers, and regulatory specialists. Responsibilities will include developing permitting strategies, preparing regulatory documentation, supporting business development efforts, managing project tasks, and mentoring junior staff. Projects may involve federal, state, and local permitting, natural resource assessments, wetland and waters evaluations, threatened and endangered species coordination, mitigation planning, and environmental compliance support throughout project lifecycles.

We are seeking a candidate who brings strong technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, project management capabilities, and a solutions-oriented mindset to help deliver successful projects while contributing to the continued growth of WSP's Earth and Environment practice throughout the Gulf Coast region.

Your Impact

• Support and lead environmental permitting and natural resource projects throughout Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
• Develop permitting strategies and regulatory pathways for infrastructure, energy, utility, transportation, and industrial projects.
• Prepare and review permit applications, technical reports, environmental assessments, and supporting documentation.
• Develop staffing plans and manage multidisciplinary teams, teaming partners, and subcontractors to meet project requirements and client commitments.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies to facilitate project approvals.
• Plan, coordinate, and provide technical oversight for wetland delineations, habitat assessments, threatened and endangered species evaluations, and other natural resource studies.
• Provide clients with environmental compliance and permitting guidance throughout project development and implementation.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and proposals.
• Manage multiple projects while ensuring quality deliverables are completed on time and within budget.
• Analyze and interpret environmental data and provide technical review and quality assurance.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support environmental reviews, permit applications, mitigation plans, and resource management strategies.
• Mentor and support the professional development of junior environmental staff.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and support business development initiatives; help convert successful project delivery into repeat business.
• Promote a strong safety culture and maintain compliance with WSP health and safety standards.
• Exercise sound and ethical decision-making in accordance with WSP policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
• Manage project financial performance, including forecasting, invoicing, change management, risk identification and corrective actions needed to achieve scope, schedule, budget, quality and profitability goals.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Planning, Ecology, Geography, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in natural resources, environmental permitting, environmental consulting, or a related field.
• Experience supporting projects in Texas, Louisiana and/or Oklahoma.
• Strong understanding of environmental permitting processes and regulatory frameworks, including NEPA, Clean Water Act Sections 404 and 401, Endangered Species Act, and related state regulations.
• Experience coordinating with agencies such as USACE, USFWS, NOAA, EPA, and state natural resource agencies.
• Knowledge of wetland permitting, habitat assessments, ecological surveys, mitigation planning, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including scope development, budget management, and client communication.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills with experience preparing reports, permit applications, and presentations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary consulting environment.
• Proven commitment to workplace safety and quality project delivery.
• Ability to travel 15-20% including occasional overnight travel for client meetings, agency coordination, and project initiation.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Planning, or related field.
• Previous project management experience in the environmental field.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary environmental and permitting projects.
• Experience with large-scale energy, utility, transportation, coastal restoration, or infrastructure projects.
• Established relationships with regulatory agencies and clients throughout Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior staff.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or similar credential is a plus.

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