North Carolina Environmental Sciences and Planning Lead

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an Environmental Sciences and Planning Lead in North Carolina to guide staff development, ensure high-quality technical delivery, and coordinate multi-disciplinary environmental planning efforts for transportation projects.

The role requires 15+ years of experience, a Master’s degree, and strong client relations, NEPA expertise, and regulatory permitting knowledge. You will oversee teams and contribute to proposals and marketing efforts.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in environmental sciences/planning
• Master’s degree in environmental science, planning, or related field
• Experience writing proposals, developing scopes of work, budgets, and schedules
• NEPA experience including EIS/EA/CE
• Regulatory permitting experience (404/401/CAMA/Buffers)

Responsibilities

• Lead operations for staff development, profitability, morale, quality control
• Serve as project and client manager for assignments with key clients
• Manage section staff and coordinate services with other sections
• Involve in marketing planning, proposals and interviews
• Direct work of others to complete required studies and reports
• Demonstrate public participation, agency coordination, and planning experience
• Plan and direct planning and environmental projects
• Ensure compliance with company policies and strategic goals

Skills

Extensive leadership experience

Strong communication

Client relationship management

Project management

Team development

Education

Master's degree in environmental science or planning

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

North Carolina Environmental Sciences and Planning Lead - ( 196471 )

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

HDR is looking for an Environmental Sciences and Planning Lead to join our Transportation Business Group in North Carolina. Working internally as part of our Professional Services program, the Environmental Sciences and Planning Lead will be expected to provide leadership and management support for staff development, quality technical delivery, and coordinated functions within the local area Environmental Sciences and Planning (ES&P) Business Class. This is a cross-sector position and will report to the North Carolina Transportation Business Group but will further collaborate with HDR’s Water, Resources, and Federal groups for overall resource allocation, key hires, quality control, and technical excellence. They will interact and lead HDR environmental sciences and planning staff NEPA/SEPA practitioners and other multi-disciplinary staff. They will work closely with HDR leadership to drive program development in North Carolina focusing on transportation resource clients/projects. They should possess a balanced portfolio of skills to assist with business development which requires networking and developing leads, establishing/managing client relationships, and strategic thinking for both our clients and internal programs.

In the role of Environmental Sciences and Planning Lead, we'll count on you to:

• Take responsibility for operations of production including staff development, profitability, morale, quality control and marketing support.
• Function as a Project Manager and take responsibility for production on projects in addition to management responsibilities.
• Have a focus on client management and development, serving as a client manager and project manager for future assignments and pursuits with key clients in the area.
• Take administrative responsibility for section staff and technical service functions, and lead and coordinate services with other sections.
• Be involved in marketing planning, proposals and interviews.
• Be directly involved with clients in marketing, project production and related issues.
• See that all work is planned, organized, controlled and evaluated through proactive project management system
• Implement, monitor and support company policy.
• Select, train, develop and manage technical personnel.
• Manage and develop multidiscipline teams.
• Work cooperatively with marketing staff in local and national marketing and production efforts.
• Plan and direct planning and environmental projects.
• Prepare, plan and analyze/review technical studies, permit applications, NEPA documents, and similar reports/documents.
• Direct work of others in completion of required studies, documents and reports.
• Demonstrate extensive public participation, agency coordination, planning and programming experience.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15 years of experience
• Master’s degree in environmental science, planning, or related
• Experience writing proposals, developing scopes of work, budgets, and schedules for complex environmental projects with multidisciplinary teams and multi-agency efforts, local candidates are preferred
• NEPA experience including EIS, EA, and CE, MCDCs, or equivalents
• Regulatory permitting experience with 404/401/CAMA/Buffers

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 10 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Oct 1, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employe r.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.