Senior Environmental Project Manager – FERC Pipeline Lead

HDR; Vienna (VA); On-site; USD 104,160 - 148,800; Full time

Job summary

HDR is looking for a Senior Environmental Project Manager – FERC Pipeline Lead to join our Environmental and Regulatory Team (locations vary). You will manage natural and built environment studies, NEPA documentation, and environmental permitting across multiple pipeline projects, directing teams and coordinating with regulators and clients.

Ideal candidates bring deep FERC experience (7(b)/7(c)), strong leadership, and a proven ability to grow the pipeline program while delivering high-quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in complex environmental planning/compliance.
• Experience managing large, complex EIS documents for transportation, large facility, land management, or other infrastructure projects.
• Technical expertise in the design, implementation, interpretation and presentation of data for environmental studies and investigations.
• Proficient with MS Office.
• Self-starter with excellent writing and communication skills.
• Strong conceptual, organizational, problem-solving and research abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental permitting and NEPA documentation as Senior Project Manager.
• Manage FERC environmental processes for assessment, resource reporting, and permitting.
• Develop client relationships and grow the FERC pipeline program.
• Oversee proposals, cost estimates, budgeting, invoicing, and tracking project financial performance.
• Coordinate schedules, provide QA/QC, and lead problem resolution for environmental studies and NEPA deliverables.
• Direct field surveys, data interpretation, environmental analysis, and technical writing.
• Develop and implement permitting strategies, coordinate with regulatory agencies, and prepare permit applications.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects with minimal oversight.
• Provide mentorship to junior staff and promote high-quality work through QA/QC procedures.
• Participate in client and internal meetings; collaborate with scientific, engineering, and regulatory teams.
• Periodic short-term travel for project assignments and client meetings.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Skills

FERC filings

NEPA planning

Regulatory coordination

Environmental permitting

Project management

Technical writing

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology or Environmental Sciences or related field

Bachelor's degree in Environment Science or closely related field

Tools

MS Office

Estimating software

Scheduling software

Project management software

Job description

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.

HDR is looking for a Senior Environmental Project Manager – FERC Pipeline Lead for our Environmental and Regulatory Team (locations vary).

Who You Are

We are seeking an experienced professional with strong working knowledge of, and relationships across, the environmental and cultural resource regulatory landscape and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process in the U.S.

The ideal candidate will have a focused specialty and established relationships with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Natural Gas Division, along with demonstrated experience managing and permitting pipeline projects.

This role requires expertise in FERC 7(b) and 7(c) applications, prior notice/blanket authorizations, and/or third-party EA/EIS documents. You will manage projects across all phases—from routing and siting to construction compliance—while leading environmental permitting and NEPA documentation efforts.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as Senior Project Manager for natural and built environment studies, environmental permitting, and NEPA documentation.
• Lead and direct teams through FERC environmental processes for assessment, resource reporting, and permitting.
• Support the growth of our FERC pipeline program by developing client relationships and identifying new opportunities.
• Oversee project management activities including proposals, cost estimates, budgeting, invoicing, and tracking project financial performance.
• Coordinate schedules, provide technical QA/QC, and lead problem resolution for environmental studies and NEPA deliverables.
• Direct field surveys, data interpretation, environmental analysis, and technical writing.
• Develop and implement permitting strategies, coordinate with regulatory agencies, and prepare permit applications.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects with minimal oversight.
• Provide mentorship to junior staff and promote high-quality work through QA/QC procedures.
• Participate in client and internal meetings; collaborate with scientific, engineering, and regulatory teams.
• Periodic short-term travel for project assignments and client meetings.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience with FERC Natural Gas filings, including FERC 7(b) and 7(c) applications, prior notice/blanket authorizations, and third-party EA/EIS documents
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Sciences, Planning, Cultural Resources, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in ecological or cultural resource surveys, NEPA planning, environmental analysis, and state/federal permitting
• A minimum of 5 years of project management experience
• Familiar with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, project management software
• Possess the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• Strong technical writing, environmental analysis, and permitting skills
• Demonstrated ability to market and perform environmental services
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Willingness and ability to travel for client meetings
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to mentor and develop staff

Keywords: Pipeline, Oil and Gas, FERC 7(b) applications, FERC 7(c) applications, Prior Notice filings, Blanket Authorizations, Third-party EA, Third-party EIS, FERC Natural Gas filings, FERC environmental process, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), FERC Natural Gas Division, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Senior Environmental Project Manager, Environmental Project Manager, FERC Project Lead, FERC Environmental Lead, NEPA Project Manager, Environmental & Regulatory Project Manager, Natural Gas Environmental Project Manager, Pipeline Environmental Project Manager

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environment Science or closely related field
• 10 years experience in complex environmental planning/compliance projects
• Demonstrated knowledge of the NEPA process
• Experience managing large, complex EIS documents for transportation, large facility, land management, or other infrastructure projects
• Technical expertise in the design, implementation, interpretation and presentation of data for environmental studies and investigations in specialized discipline
• Proficient with MS Office
• Self-starter with excellent writing and communication skills
• Strong conceptual, organizational, problem-solving and research abilities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Staff management experience beneficial
• 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.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.

The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Pay Transparency: $104,160 - $148,800.

Primary Location: United States-Pennsylvania-Harrisburg

Other Locations: United States-North Carolina-Charlotte, United States-Minnesota-Minneapolis, United States-Florida-Tampa, United States-District of Columbia-Washington DC, United States-South Carolina-Columbia, United States-Colorado-Denver, United States-Virginia-Vienna, United States-Texas-Houston, United States-Ohio-Columbus

Industry: Oil & Gas

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Environmental Planning

Job Posting: Jul 30, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.