Permitting Specialist

WSP USA; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a Permitting Specialist in Rochester, New York, with hybrid work options. The role involves reviewing project scope to determine permits, coordinating with federal, state, and municipal agencies, and developing environmental permits across multiple jurisdictions.

Preferred candidates have CPESC, 3+ years of regulatory permitting experience, and a track record in energy-related project approvals. Travel may be required to support project teams and regulatory engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related sciences field.
• 3+ years of experience obtaining Regulatory Permits with state, federal and municipal agencies to achieve permits to meet project goals and execution schedules.
• Experience preparing, editing and interpreting studies for development, submission and acquisition of certificates.
• Experience working in a team environment to site facilities in the energy sector minimizing environmental, visual and customer impacts.

Responsibilities

• Review project scope and determine applicable permits, including municipal building permits, variances, and wetland permitting.
• Coordinate consultations and regulatory processes (PSC Article VII / Part 102, Army Corps, SHPO, etc.).
• Develops or coordinates environmental permits and ensures compliance with regulations.
• Manage progress, perform risk assessments, and mitigate risks during projects.
• Represent the company at public or regulatory meetings and support planning meetings.
• Oversee SWPPP development and inspections, and ensure compliance with environmental requirements.

Skills

Regulatory Permits

Environmental Permitting

Travel flexibility

Team collaboration

US work authorization

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science or related field

Tools

CPESC

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Permitting Specialist for our Rochester, New York office. This is expected to be a hybrid position. The following locations will also be considered in Corning, Syracuse, Buffalo, Binghamton, NY. Be involved in projects with our Ecology & Environment team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.

Your Impact

• Review Project scope and determine applicable permits. This is inclusive of municipal building permits, variances, special use permits, stream and wetland permitting,
• PSC Article VII or Part 102, Army Corps, Natural Heritage or SHPO consultation, coastal zone development, DOT, FAA, etc.
• Develops or coordinates the development of the required environmental permits
• Manages progress against plans, performs risk assessment and take action to mitigate risks.
• Verifies project adherence to federal, state and local environmental regulatory requirements.
• Participates in project teams and participating in regular program/project planning, execution and delivery team meetings.
• Represents the company at public or regulatory meetings.
• Reviews and comments on proposed laws and regulations as they apply to company operations.
• Manages or oversees implementation and inspection of wildlife, agriculture or wetland mitigation/management plans, and other regulatory requirements of permits which extend beyond construction phase of project.
• Develops or oversees the development of SWPPPs
• Escalates issues when necessary.
• Conducts SWPPP inspections, oversees contracted SWPPP inspectors or environmental monitors, and conducts environmental inspections at construction projects.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, or a related sciences field.
• 3+ years of experience obtaining Regulatory Permits with state, federal and municipal agencies to achieve permits to meet project goals and execution schedules.
• Experienced in the preparing, editing and interpreting studies for the development, submission and acquisition of certificates to build or other regulatory filings.
• Experience working in team environment to site facilities in the energy sector minimizing environmental, visual and customer impacts considering the companies and projects business requirements.
• This position is subject to and contingent upon client approval of candidates put forth for consideration by WSP.
• The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States, or be able to obtain work authorized status in the United States prior to the start of employment. This role is eligible for employment visa sponsorship for eligible and qualified candidates.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPESC preferred
• PWS preferred

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $83,200 - $115,000

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.