Senior Environmental Planning and Siting Specialist

WSP; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 77,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Senior Environmental Planning and Siting Specialist to join our Earth & Environment Team in Philadelphia, PA or other eastern PA offices. Lead siting studies for energy projects, including transmission lines and renewables, leveraging ArcGIS and coordinating with clients and agencies.

Ideal candidates have 5–7 years of experience, a BS in Environmental Science or Geology, strong technical writing, and ability to work with multidisciplinary teams across state lines, with travel

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in environmental planning or siting.
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or Geology.
• Familiarity with routing/siting studies and associated reports.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and lead siting and routing studies for transmission, substation, and renewables in PA and surrounding states.
• Gather background data, prepare siting maps, document findings for clients/agencies, and participate in public open house meetings.
• Liaise with governmental agencies, clients, and team members.
• Support siting reports and explain why a site/route was selected.
• Prepare and write public utility applications and state filings.

Skills

Technical writing

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science or Geology

Tools

ArcGIS

ArcOnline

ArcCollector

Terrasync

Trimble GPS

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Environmental Planning and Siting Specialist for our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or other eastern PA offices. Be involved in projects with our Earth & Environment Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges.

The primary focus for this Senior Environmental Planning and Siting Specialist will be on electric transmission line and substation routing and siting, along with renewable energy development projects in Pennsylvania and adjacent states. The ideal candidate will have a history of siting and transmission line routing experience in Pennsylvania, familiarity with PJM and other regional transmission boards and their processes and will be a collaborative and responsive professional with strong communication and organizational skills.

Your Impact

• Plan, execute, and lead siting and routing studies for various energy industry projects (transmission, substation, renewables) in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.
• Gather background data for project areas, prepare siting and routing maps, participate in meetings to document findings to clients and/or agencies, participate in public open house meetings, conduct windshield surveys of proposed sites and/or routes, and document the siting process at the end of the process into a defensible report.
• Liaison with various governmental agencies, clients, and team members.
• Support siting reports that document the siting process and why a site or route was selected.
• Prepare and write various public utility applications state filings.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience.
• Bachelor's of Science degree in Environmental Science, Geology.
• Familiarity with performing routing/siting studies and analyses and preparing associated reports.
• Excellent technical writing skills, clear communicator, ability to work as part of multidisciplinary teams, and attention to detail.
• Ability to interact with client team to deliver high quality work product.
• Attention and commitment to timely completion of high-quality work, often independently motivated.
• Willing to do some travel for site visits and attend public open house meetings.
• High level of motivation, positive attitude, willingness to learn and take on responsibility.
• Ability to work independently as part of various teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5-7 years of experience conducting siting and routing for transmission, substation, or renewables projects.
• Experience with use of ArcGIS, ArcOnline, ArcCollector and ArcGIS Enterprise, Trimble GPS units and Terrasync software.
• Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity with Pennsylvania State agency personnel and decision-makers; experience with New Jersey, Maryland, and other Mid-Atlantic states a plus.
• Strong technical writing skills, clear communicator, ability to work as part of multidisciplinary teams, and attention to detail.
• Project management experience with ability to manage multiple projects and teams.

Salary range between $77,000 - $135,000.