Environmental Planner/Scientist

Isani Consultants; Houston (TX); Vor Ort; USD 70.000 - 95.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Isani Consultants seeks an Environmental Planner to lead GIS-driven environmental planning tasks and field surveys for TxDOT and local government projects in Texas. The role blends office work with site investigations, producing maps, figures, and analyses to support regulatory submissions and public meetings.

The ideal candidate will bring 3–5 years of environmental planning experience, NEPA coordination, and strong GIS skills (ArcGIS Pro).

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Geography, Urban/Environmental Planning or related field.
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in environmental planning, permitting, and/or natural resources.
• Proficiency in GIS (ArcGIS Pro preferred) with spatial analysis, geodatabase management, and QA/QC of spatial data.
• Strong cartographic skills for regulatory submittals and public-facing maps.
• Working knowledge of USACE regulations and Section 404/Section 10 permitting.
• Experience coordinating with USACE and other regulatory agencies.
• Experience with NEPA coordination and related studies (Section 106, 4(f), etc.).
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform field work in varied terrain; valid driver’s license.

Aufgaben

• Support NEPA projects (CEs, EAs, EISs).
• Prepare permit applications under Clean Water Act 404 and Rivers and Harbors Act 10; coordinate with USACE.
• Conduct wetlands delineations and habitat assessments; support ESA consultations.
• Use GIS to produce project figures, exhibits, and maps for NEPA docs, permits, and reports.
• Collect field data with GPS and mobile tools and integrate into geodatabases.
• Assist senior staff in preparing NEPA documents and planning studies for multimodal projects.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies and stakeholders; prepare outreach materials.

Kenntnisse

ArcGIS Pro

Cartography

Technical writing

Project coordination

Field work

Driver's license

Communication skills

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

Jobbeschreibung

At Isani, you’ll work for a company that strives to provide opportunities for employees to learn, grow, and thrive.

We have an immediate opening for an enthusiastic, highly organized, team-oriented Environmental Planner with strong GIS and mapping skills and hands-on experience in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permitting and threatened and endangered species surveys. The ideal candidate will apply their knowledge of NEPA, planning, and state and federal regulatory processes to contribute to our Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) projects, as well as a range of local government projects. The candidate will support a team that prepares and coordinates all levels of NEPA and TxDOT planning documents, technical studies, and permit applications, and will provide quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of documents prepared by in-house staff or outside consultants.

The candidate will split time between the office and the field, conducting site investigations and species habitat surveys, producing the maps and spatial analyses that support our documents, and coordinating with USACE, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), local stakeholders, and members of the public. Additional desired skills include familiarity with the TxDOT Environmental Compliance Toolkits, strong task management, effective communication, and the ability to work successfully in both collaborative and self-directed settings. The exceptional candidate will also have experience with traffic noise modeling.

Responsibilities

• Support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) projects, including Categorical Exclusions (CEs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs).
• Prepare Clean Water Act Section 404 and Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 permit applications, including Nationwide Permit Pre-Construction Notifications (PCNs) and Individual Permits, and coordinate with USACE through issuance.
• Conduct and document waters of the U.S. and wetland delineations, including jurisdictional determinations and supporting data forms.
• Conduct threatened and endangered species habitat assessments and presence/absence surveys; prepare biological evaluations and support Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation with USFWS and coordination with TPWD.
• Use GIS to collect, manage, and analyze spatial data and to produce project figures, exhibits, and maps for NEPA documents, permit applications, technical reports, and public meetings.
• Collect field data using GPS and mobile data collection tools (e.g., ArcGIS Field Maps, Survey123) and integrate it into project geodatabases.
• Support senior staff in preparing NEPA documents, technical reports, and planning studies for multimodal transportation projects (transit, highway, rail, airports, etc.) for a variety of clients, including municipalities, counties, MPOs, transit agencies, and DOTs.
• Coordinate with resource and environmental permitting agencies, local stakeholders, and members of the public.
• Prepare materials for public outreach and stakeholder involvement related to planning and environmental studies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Geography, Environmental or Urban Planning, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3 to 5 years of progressive experience in environmental planning, permitting, and/or natural resources.
• Strong proficiency in GIS (ArcGIS Pro preferred), including spatial analysis, geodatabase management, and quality control of spatial data.
• Strong cartographic skills, with the ability to produce both technical exhibits for regulatory submittals (e.g., USACE permit figures, NEPA document maps) and clear, public friendly maps for public meetings and non-technical audiences.
• Working knowledge of USACE regulations and the Section 404/Section 10 permitting process, including Nationwide Permit conditions and the Galveston and Fort Worth District requirements.
• Demonstrated experience preparing permit applications and coordinating with USACE and other regulatory agencies.
• Experience conducting threatened and endangered species habitat assessments and surveys, and working knowledge of the Endangered Species Act.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of NEPA, including coordination of supporting technical studies (Section 106, Section 4(f), etc.).
• Excellent technical writing, computer, and verbal communication skills with clients and colleagues.
• Strong organizational, task and time management, and analytical skills, with the ability to work independently, within a team, and on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability and willingness to perform field work in varied terrain and weather conditions; valid driver’s license.

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• USFWS or TPWD species-specific survey permits or qualifications (e.g., for listed birds, bats, mussels, or plants found in Texas).
• Wetland delineation training (e.g., USACE 1987 Manual and Regional Supplements) or Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) / Wetland Professional in Training (WPIT) certification.
• Experience with stream and wetland mitigation planning, including mitigation banks and in‑lieu fee programs.
• Experience with Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act compliance, including nesting bird surveys.
• GIS Professional (GISP) certification, or experience with web mapping, story maps, or Python scripting in ArcGIS.
• Experience with traffic noise modeling using FHWA’s Traffic Noise Model (TNM) and TxDOT noise guidance.
• Experience preparing Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements.
• Experience with Texas state and local environmental requirements, including TxDOT and Harris County Flood Control District projects.
• Ability to read technical design drawings and understanding of how environmental activities fit within project delivery.