Senior Planning Team Lead

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock ownership

401(k) plan

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Professional development

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants seeks a Senior Planning Team Lead to guide the Planning and Permitting Program in the Great Basin from Salt Lake City, UT. The role emphasizes NEPA leadership, client interaction, and project oversight, with a hybrid work arrangement available for regional staff.

The ideal candidate will have strong NEPA experience (EAs, EISs), staff mentoring, and the ability to manage complex multi-disciplinary projects while meeting budgets and schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another planning or science-related field.
• Eight years of planning or NEPA document preparation and experience in environmental consulting, including some experience managing others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization, schedule, and budget management skills.
• Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and manages planning staff and project teams, ensuring that project goals, timelines, and quality standards are met.
• Develops and implements strategic plans for staff and project team performance, setting clear objectives and providing guidance to achieve project success.
• Oversees and leads the preparation and review of planning documents, ensuring thorough analysis and regulatory compliance.
• Engages with clients and regulatory agencies to understand project requirements, address concerns, and ensure successful project outcomes.
• Manages project budgets, schedules, and resources, making adjustments as necessary to meet evolving project needs.
• Lead environmental impact analyses and preparation of NEPA, state, and local environmental review documents.

Skills

NEPA experience

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Budget management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning/science or related field

Job description

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Senior Planning Team Lead to support our operations in the Great Basin. This role is responsible for providing leadership within the Planning and Permitting Program by managing staff, projects, and clients.

The successful candidate will possess a proven track record of developing new business, managing complex projects, meeting financial goals, and mentoring others to do the same. Our Great Basin Team out of Salt Lake City, Utah, seeks a self-motivated individual with proven and demonstrated leadership and communication skills.

Individuals must have strong NEPA experience (e.g., EAs, EISs), work with peers across various offices, and accomplish tasks associated with a variety of projects in any given week. The ability to work directly with clients is imperative. The interest in pursuing new business is also desirable.

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time. salaried/exempt position, reporting to the Great Basin Planning Director, based in Salt Lake City, UT. Work can be based in the office, in a hybrid work arrangement, or distributed, for those located in the region.

The office offers a collaborative and supportive work environment, and specializes in environmental planning, permitting, multi-disciplinary project manager, and hydropower. The successful candidate will have a depth of experience and familiarity with the business environment with the Great Basin subregion.

About SWCA

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

What you will accomplish

• Supervises and manages planning staff and project teams, ensuring that project goals, timelines, and quality standards are met.
• Develops and implements strategic plans for staff and project team performance, setting clear objectives and providing guidance to achieve project success.
• Oversees and leads the preparation and review of planning documents, ensuring thorough analysis and compliance with local, state, federal, and Tribal environmental regulations.
• Facilitates collaboration and communication within the team and with other departments, promoting a cohesive and efficient work environment.
• Conducts performance evaluations, provides feedback, and supports the professional development of team members.
• Engages with clients and regulatory agencies to understand project requirements, address concerns, and ensure successful project outcomes.
• Identifies and implements innovative solutions to address complex planning challenges.
• Ensures the accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance of all technical work produced by the team.
• Manages project budgets, schedules, and resources, making adjustments as necessary to meet evolving project needs and ensure successful delivery.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Support execution of regional Environmental Planning strategies and business objectives.
• Evaluate market conditions and identify growth opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
• Lead go/no-go evaluations and support proposal development, marketing pursuits, and capture planning activities.
• Foster a sell-doer culture through mentoring, accountability, and participation in business development initiatives.
• Develop and maintain relationships with industry organizations, agency representatives, and key stakeholders to strengthen regional market presence.
• Lead environmental impact analyses and preparation of NEPA, state, and local environmental review documents, including EAs, EISs, critical-issue analyses, and environmental permits.
• Provide technical leadership for environmental review efforts supporting renewable energy, transmission, mining, land-use planning, and related infrastructure projects.
• Guide NEPA processes including baseline studies, purpose-and-need development, public scoping, comment response, and preparation of Records of Decision and Findings of No Significant Impact.
• Oversee county and state land-use approvals and environmental permitting activities, including special-use permits and certificates of environmental compatibility.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree. Eight years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including some experience managing others. Ten years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another planning or science-related field.
• Eight (8) years of planning or NEPA document preparation and experience in environmental consulting, including some experience managing others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization, schedule, and budget management skills.
• Experience on complex, multi-disciplinary projects; leading meetings with clients and agencies; directing project teams including subcontractors; preparing or directing staff in the preparation of technical studies and planning/NEPA documents; and setting and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules.
• A working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations including NEPA, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the ability to develop project execution plans to satisfy regulatory compliance.
• A working understanding of agency internal processes and procedures such as the BLM, USFS, NPS, BOR, and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
• Proven experience with a subset of public lands, land use planning, natural and cultural resource issues, wind and solar projects, transportation projects, and or oil/gas projects in the western US.
• Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.
• A track record of collaborative teamwork, individual accountability, and behaviors that align with SWCA’s values and contribute positively to an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another planning or science-related field.
• Ten (10) years of planning or NEPA document preparation and experience in environmental consulting.
• Experience with supporting business development with federal agencies, RMPs, mining, oil and gas, and renewable energy developers or other non-federal applicants that seek permits or leases from federal agencies.
• Candidates in the Salt Lake City, UT or Great Basin area.

Other Job Conditions

When driving is required

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements.

When traveling is required

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.

Safety Expectations

Lead level:Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.

Work Environment

Work is regularly performed outdoors and involves hiking over uneven terrain, lifting and carrying equipment up to 25–50 pounds, and working in varying/extreme weather conditions. Employees may be exposed to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions while following required safety procedures.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Salt Lake City, UT-based position is $95,908.80 to $124,571.20 per year. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact [e-mail].

If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [e-mail].

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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