1

Environmental Permit Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Environmental Manager

Deer Island, OR ยท On-site

$125K - $129K/yr

Maintain and update environmental permits (air, water rights, wastewater). * Oversee environmental monitoring programs including inspections, sampling, testing, and reporting. * Manage waste streams ...

Environmental Engineer

Portland, OR ยท On-site

$75K - $105K/yr

... permit applications against permit requirements and regulations; and draft correspondence and/or ... Collect, analyze, and interpret environmental data, reaching valid conclusions. Prepare reports in ...

Preparing documentation to support requests for variances from environmental permits. * Evaluating restoration activities and conducting compaction testing as required. * Compliance with ERM ...

Preparing documentation to support requests for variances from environmental permits. * Evaluating restoration activities and conducting compaction testing as required. * Compliance with ERM ...

Showing results 21-40

Environmental Permit information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an environmental permit specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Environmental Permit Specialist, you need a solid background in environmental science, regulations, and permitting processes, typically supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with GIS software, permitting databases, and regulatory systems like NEPA or EPA guidelines is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help in coordinating with stakeholders and preparing accurate documentation. These skills ensure compliance with environmental laws, minimize project risks, and enable successful navigation of complex regulatory environments.

How to become an environmental permit specialist?

To become an environmental permit specialist, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field. Gaining experience in environmental regulations, permits, and compliance, along with obtaining relevant certifications such as the Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), can enhance job prospects. Strong knowledge of environmental laws, regulatory agencies, and permit application processes is essential for success in this role.

What is the difference between Environmental Permit vs Environmental Technician?

AspectEnvironmental PermitEnvironmental Technician
Required CredentialsEnvironmental compliance certifications, possibly licensing depending on jurisdictionEnvironmental science or technician certifications, relevant training
Work EnvironmentRegulatory agencies, project sites, officesLaboratory, field sites, industrial facilities
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, environmental consulting firms, industries needing permitsEnvironmental consulting firms, industrial companies, research labs

Environmental Permits involve obtaining official approval from authorities to operate or undertake specific activities, ensuring compliance with environmental laws. Environmental Technicians assist in monitoring, data collection, and supporting environmental projects. While permits focus on regulatory approval, technicians support the implementation and compliance processes.

What are some common challenges faced by environmental permit specialists during the permitting process?

Environmental Permit Specialists often encounter challenges such as navigating complex and evolving regulatory requirements, coordinating with multiple agencies, and managing tight project deadlines. Balancing the interests of clients, regulators, and the public can also be demanding, especially when permit applications generate environmental or community concerns. Effective communication, attention to detail, and proactive project management are essential to overcoming these hurdles and ensuring successful permit approvals.

How to get into environmental permitting?

To pursue a career in environmental permitting, individuals typically need a background in environmental science, engineering, or a related field, along with knowledge of regulations such as EPA standards. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions and obtaining relevant certifications can improve job prospects. Strong analytical skills and familiarity with permitting software are also beneficial.

What are environmental permits and why are they important?

Environmental permits are official authorizations issued by governmental agencies that allow individuals or organizations to carry out activities that could impact the environment, such as construction, waste disposal, or emissions. These permits ensure that projects comply with environmental regulations and standards designed to protect air, water, soil, and public health. Securing an environmental permit typically involves a review of the proposed activity's potential environmental effects and may require mitigation measures. Without these permits, operations may face fines, legal action, or shutdowns. They play a critical role in sustainable development by balancing economic activity with environmental protection.

What cities in Oregon are hiring for Environmental Permit jobs?

Cities in Oregon with the most Environmental Permit job openings:

Infographic showing various Environmental Permit job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Senior Design Engineer

Herrera Environmental Consultants, Inc.

Portland, OR โ€ข On-site

$150K - $189K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

We are Herrera

Envision yourself at a growing, employee-owned company that inspires and empowers you to deliver your best performance while making a difference in the world. 

We are Herrera, a science, planning, and design consulting firm dedicated to working with clients to develop holistic solutions that provide social and environmental benefit. We protect the environment every day by providing a diverse range of consulting services to cities, counties, state and federal agencies, Tribes, non-profits, and private clients throughout Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Wyoming, Alaska, and western Canada. 

For over 40 years, Herrera has cultivated a collaborative, caring, and values-driven culture that empowers our employee-owners to achieve excellence while ensuring we have fun along the way. By providing our employee-owners with the autonomy to pursue their professional interests and through encouraging them to grow, we benefit from high employee-owner retention that contributes to our longstanding partnerships with clients. 

Our Values

  • Treat everyone with respect and dignity, always. 
  • Insist on integrity, objectivity, and social and environmental ethics in our work. 
  • Act as stewards of the environment upon which we depend. 
  • Research and outreach, learn and teach.
  • Employee owners, employee leaders.

Your Opportunity

Herrera seeks an engineer with 15 or more years of professional experience, leadership, and expertise in designing projects in natural environments. You will participate in establishing and implementing strategic initiatives and work as part of integrated planning and design teams with ecologists, landscape architects, engineers, and scientists to develop multi-disciplinary projects in sensitive ecological settings. You will lead or support a variety of restoration, mitigation, flood risk reduction, infrastructure protection, and stormwater management for public and private clients throughout the Western United States. You will also provide guidance and mentorship to teams and individuals. 
Typical types of projects this position may support or lead include:

  • River and stream habitat restoration and enhancement and bank stabilization design
  • Developing plans, specifications, and cost estimate packages for civil engineering projects
  • Fish passage improvements
  • Coastal engineering and habitat restoration design
  • Planning and design for green infrastructure and nature-based solutions
  • Flood management planning and design

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Experience, & Licensure/Certifications

  • 15 years of professional experience in the development of design and construction documents for multidisciplinary civil engineering projects in sensitive ecological settings
  • Bachelor's degree in civil or environmental engineering 
  • A current professional engineer (PE) license in Washington or Oregon, or ability to readily obtain one within six months
  • Experience leading teams in the development of civil engineering designs including the preparation of calculations, technical reports, plans, specifications, and cost estimates, and other design documents
  • Experience preparing proposals and developing scopes of work and budgets for civil engineering design projects
  • Experience identifying, evaluating, and responding to Requests for Proposals and other business development opportunities

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

  • Familiarity with public agency capital project delivery processes
  • Ability to multi-task and work with a fast-paced team of interdisciplinary staff working on several concurrent projects in a variety of jurisdictions
  • Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills 
  • Strong decision-making skills
  • A current driver's license

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Master's degree in civil engineering or environmental engineering
  • Experience as a project manager and the client's primary point of contact with the proven ability to effectively manage and motivate multiple project teams
  • Experience developing and executing on a strategic business development plan
  • Experience with fish passage analysis and the hydraulic design of roadway culverts and bridges
  • Experience providing construction oversight and providing design services during construction
  • Experience with hydrologic analysis and modeling techniques 
  • Experience with civil engineering design for surface water management projects including grading, drainage, temporary erosion control and water management, and integration with environmental critical areas requirements and landscape architecture design elements
  • Environmental permit application experience in Western states (e.g., state and federal permits for in-water work, local agency permits for grading, erosion control, etc.)
  • Proficiency with Bluebeam, AutoCAD, and/or Civil 3D 
  • Experience with field data collection and equipment 
Other specific training and professional organization affiliations should be noted in the applicant's resume and/or cover letter.

We are proud to support our employee-owners by offering the following compensation and benefits:

  • This position is salaried and exempt from overtime; the annual salary range is $150,500 - $189,600
  • Flexible hybrid work culture
  • Medical/prescription drug/dental/vision insurance for employees and dependents; employees covered at no cost on base plan with buy-up options available; company contribution for dependents
  • Section 125 flexible benefits plans – healthcare and dependent care
  • Company-paid life insurance for employees; option to purchase additional life insurance for employees and dependents at employees’ expense
  • Company-paid long term disability insurance for employees; option to purchase short-term disability insurance at employees’ expense
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we are 100% employee owned!
  • 401(k) retirement plan
  • Paid vacation, accrued bi-weekly, equivalent to 20 days per year for a 40 hour/week employee and prorated for employees working 24-39 hours/week
  • Paid sick leave, accrued bi-weekly, equivalent to 10 days per year for a 40-hour/week employee and prorated for employees working 24-39 hours per week
  • Flexible paid holidays (10)
  • Paid volunteer time (8 hours annually)
  • Company-paid annual membership dues for one professional organization
  • Professional development / continuing education allowance
  • Discretionary annual bonus
  • Transit benefit

To learn more, please visit our website at: www.herrerainc.com

We Are Committed to Equal Opportunity, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Herrera, we celebrate our differences as much as our similarities. We know the best outcomes come from interdisciplinary, diverse, and inclusive teams. Our values are ever-present in the people, culture, and work we do, they are not just a few sentences on our website. We treat people with respect and act with integrity and objectivity. Our employment decisions are based on knowledge, skills, and abilities, and have nothing to do with your race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, medical history, reproductive health decisions, political ideology, veteran status, or physical appearance. As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, we encourage women, minorities, veterans, disabled veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for our open positions. We are also a member of E-Verify. To learn more about E-Verify, read the E-Verify Notice and the Right to Work Notice.

Powered by JazzHR

xtNdZ0hGkB