Gulf Coast Environmental Permitting Lead

WSP in the U.S.; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; 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. You will manage permitting strategies, regulatory documentation, and environmental compliance for a variety of projects, coordinating with biologists, engineers, and regulatory specialists.

You will develop staffing plans, mentor junior staff, and contribute to business development while ensuring quality deliverables, on-time

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Planning, Ecology, Geography, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in natural resources, environmental permitting, environmental consulting, or 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental permitting projects across 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.

Skills

Project management

Regulatory knowledge

Technical writing

Communication

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

WSP is seeking an Environmental Permitting Project Manager to support our Natural Resources and Environmental Planning practice across Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. You will manage permitting strategies, regulatory documentation, and environmental compliance for a variety of projects, coordinating with biologists, engineers, and regulatory specialists.

You will develop staffing plans, mentor junior staff, and contribute to business development while ensuring quality deliverables, on-time