Natural Resource Planner Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Summit Design and Engineering Services, Inc. is a trusted partner to municipalities, state agencies, and private clients throughout the Southeast. Our firm is known for innovative, practical solutions that strengthen communities and create a lasting impact on the places where we live, work, and play.

Collaboration and growth are the cornerstone of our success. We encourage professional development with enticing benefits, such as our student loan/tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time, and professional development assistance. We also provide four weeks of PTO, wellness stipends, and flexible work options, fostering a workplace that encourages balance both in the office and in your day-to-day life.

We're looking for individuals who share our commitment to shaping our communities' futures through thoughtful, impactful work. If you're ready to contribute your talents alongside some of the industry's best and brightest, we welcome you to apply!

Summit is looking for an Environmental Planner/NEPA/SEPA in our Raleigh location. This individual would be involved in conducting environmental impact assessments, preparing necessary documentation like Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), ensuring compliance with state (SEPA) and federal (NEPA) environmental regulations, and collaborating with project teams to minimize environmental impacts throughout the project lifecycle, often within land development or infrastructure projects. Candidates would be very familiar with NEPA/SEPA procedures and possess excellent people skills along with the ability to organize and coordinate with subject matter experts throughout the state to create high-quality technical guidance. This is an opportunity to be part of a high-performing team in a fast-paced environment and act as the connection between staff and regulations that need to be followed. Candidate will also serve as a statewide expert for NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act)/SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) compliance for large and small projects. Summit is committed to continuous improvement and inclusive engagement (hearing from all voices, all communities). This is a unique opportunity for someone who has a passion for both the human and natural environment, and continual process improvement.

Responsibilities:

• The role will involve experience in all matters related to the National Environmental Policy Act and State(s) Environmental Policy Act (NEPA/SEPA), along with experience coordinating with relevant DOT/agency partners and stakeholders
• Preparation of NEPA documentation including environmental impact statements (EISs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), Categorical Exclusions (CEs), plans and technical studies primarily for transportation projects, but may also include preparation of documentation for other governmental entities
• Coordinate with clients, regulatory/resource agencies, local governments as part of the NEPA process and environmental document preparation
• Assist with incorporating technical studies and ecological resource assessments such as traffic analyses, air & noise analyses, socio-economic analyses, wetland delineations, habitat assessments, and other natural resource surveys into the NEPA environmental document
• Perform research, conduct environmental analyses (field and desktop), develop recommendations, and assist in the preparation of technical reports under NEPA
• Assist in concept development, feasibility studies, and the preparation of planning and environmental compliance documentation including sustainability, transportation, and resilience planning. Conduct planning assessments using analytical tools such as GIS to evaluate data, identify trends, and develop documentation to summarize results and recommendations
• Organize and participate in public workshops and other project meetings with regulatory/resource agencies
• Track project deliverable progress in multiple systems and coordinate completion across teams Interfacing with clients and/or regulatory agencies
• Occasional field work to assist with environmental screenings, wetland/stream delineations, threatened and endangered species surveys and traffic noise readings
• Provide direct project support as a consulting expert to multimodal project teams to address human environmental issues (including socioeconomic and environmental justice), and prepare draft reports, as needed.

Qualifications:

• PE or AICP professional registration
• S. in planning, engineering, or environmental discipline; must have a thorough understanding of NEPA requirements and related environmental regulations
• Eight (8) or more years' professional experience working with federal, state and/or local environmental laws, regulations, and processes required to deliver major projects.
• Knowledge of NCDOT and Federal transportation planning, and environmental policies
• Experience with transportation project development and delivery, including leading or participating on a team responsible for delivering project environmental documents and the NEPA/SEPA process.
• High level of skill using MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook software.
• Ability to travel statewide with occasional overnight stays.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental requirements, laws, regulations, policies, guidelines, and processes for the development of transportation facilities.
• Ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and changing priorities.
• Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, with internal and external audiences, promptly and courteously using common language generally understood by most people (plain talk).
• Must have a good driving record and valid driver's license

Summit Design and Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer. E-verify.

A background check, including a criminal and driving record check, will be performed. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate. Many factors will be considered when a conviction is present.