Senior NEPA Specialist

AKS Engineering & Forestry; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Weekly team lunches

Job summary

AKS Engineering & Forestry is seeking a Senior NEPA Specialist to build, lead, and deliver a best-in-class NEPA practice across energy, transmission, infrastructure, and transportation markets. This senior role originates, closes, and delivers NEPA work while serving as the primary client relationship owner and delivery lead.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years NEPA experience in the Southwest with a strong federal focus, direct agency relationships, and a track record of sole-source and follow-on

Qualifications

• 7+ years of NEPA experience in Arizona and New Mexico with a federal focus.
• Direct agency relationships and repeat-client partnerships.
• Track record of sole-source and follow-on work.
• Owns projects end-to-end including delivery risk.
• Proven ability to win and deliver work without internal handoffs.
• Hands-on, accountable mindset.

Responsibilities

• Own and grow trusted client relationships with federal, state, and utility decision-makers.
• Lead and deliver EAs, EISs, programmatic reviews, and permitting strategies.
• Take ownership to keep projects, teams, and clients supported.
• Independently scope, price, negotiate, and defend work.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, and risk across complex NEPA engagements.
• Build, mentor, and lead project managers and SMEs.
• Contribute to firm-wide strategy across energy sectors.

Skills

NEPA experience

Federal focus

Business development

Project leadership

Client relations

Tools

Pricing strategy

Job description

At AKS, we are growing and building for the future. We bring together multidisciplined experts across the land development, energy, and infrastructure markets to take on bigger challenges and deliver solutions that make a real difference. Our teams combine creativity, technical excellence, and a collaborative, hands-on approach to solve complex problems and deliver results our clients and communities can count on. We take pride in our work and our ability to provide opportunities for our teams, support each other’s growth, and look ahead to what’s next. When you join AKS, you will find opportunities to take ownership of meaningful projects, learn, lead, and make an impact from day one.

We are seeking an experienced Senior NEPA Specialist to build, lead, and personally deliver a best-in-class NEPA practice across our energy, transmission, infrastructure, and transportation markets. This is a senior, revenue-carrying leadership role for a proven NEPA practitioner who personally originates, closes, and delivers NEPA work while serving as the primary client relationship owner and delivery lead; selling, scoping, defending, and executing work end to end.

What You’ll Do

• Own and grow trusted client relationships with federal, state, and utility decision-makers.
• Lead and deliver EAs, EISs, programmatic reviews, and permitting strategies from start to finish.
• “Do what needs to be done" mindset, taking ownership beyond assigned tasks and stepping in wherever needed to keep projects, teams, and customers supported and running smoothly.
• Independently scope, price, negotiate, and defend work.
• Serve as the primary client point of contact and trusted advisor.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, and risk across complex NEPA engagements.
• Build, mentor, and lead project managers and subject matter experts.
• Contribute to firm-wide strategy across energy, transmission, infrastructure, and transportation sectors.

Who You Are

• Brings 7+ years of NEPA experience in Arizona and New Mexico, with a strong federal focus.
• Maintains direct agency relationships and repeat-client partnerships.
• Has a track record of sole-source and follow-on work.
• Comfortable owning projects end-to-end, including commercial and delivery risk.
• Proven at selling and delivering work without relying on internal handoffs.
• Operates with a hands-on, accountable, do-what-needs-to-be-done mindset.

Nice to Have

• Experience across transmission, renewable energy, infrastructure, or transportation projects.
• Existing relationships within the Southwest or Western U.S.
• Experience shaping or growing a NEPA practice within a consulting firm.

Why AKS?

At AKS, we believe your work should support your life, not the other way around. Here's what you can count on when you join our team:

• Meaningful Growth: Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance, we offer hands-on training, mentorship, and clear paths for professional development so you can grow with purpose.
• Real Collaboration: Join a team that brings diverse perspectives together to solve complex challenges with creativity, curiosity, and a shared commitment to quality.
• Respect for Your Time: We value work-life balance and offer generous PTO and a supportive environment that helps you manage both personal and professional responsibilities.
• Benefits That Care: You’ll have access to health coverage that supports your total well-being, plus a 401(k) match, paid holidays, and more resources to help you thrive.
• Weekly Team Lunches: Take a break and recharge with your teammates, we believe food brings people together.
• Culture That Connects: We invest in experiences that build strong teams and strong communities.
• A Place People Love to Work: We’ve been named one of the Top Workplaces year after year.

Join us and be part of a team that values your contributions, celebrates initiative, and is committed to doing things the right way for our employees, clients, and communities.