Nepa Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Wood is looking for a NEPA Project Manager to join our interdisciplinary team of professionals focused on natural and cultural resources and NEPA compliance. This dynamic team of over 50 individuals works collaboratively within the region and with other planners, scientists, and engineers within Wood to successfully meet our clients' needs for impact analysis, permitting, and mitigation/restoration. We promote a positive work environment for multi-disciplinary collaboration and pride ourselves in making sure every team member is valued and given opportunity for growth.

You will have the opportunity to lead planning projects in coordination with other planners, biologists, scientists, and engineers. Leadership of such efforts will include managing scope, schedule, and budget as well as technical aspects from project initiation to completion. This role will focus on project management and delivery, technical understanding of and experience with NEPA regulations and guidance, interpersonal skills, and the ability to partner with clients, co-workers, and agency representatives. Potential projects include (but are not limited to) NEPA environmental assessments, environmental impact statements and related technical studies, and similar impact assessment documentation for a variety of clients. Wood is currently looking for individuals with a history in leading such efforts for state and local DOT projects, rail projects, and energy-focused projects.

This is a position which will appeal to individuals with experience in impact studies pursuant to NEPA, with a focus on larger environmental assessments and environmental impact statements, and interest in working with a professional team of environmental/ natural and cultural resources scientists and planners. This team is based in the Mississippi Valley Region with staff in our St. Louis, Jefferson City, Louisville, Lexington, Dayton and Nashville offices and is primarily working remotely at this time.  We envision a mix of remote, hybrid, and in-office working opportunities moving forward. Remote workers must be willing to come into offices, potentially with travel, for occasional in-person meetings.

The successful candidate will demonstrate experience in directing the technical and administrative aspects of complex environmental studies for transportation projects, primarily roadways. They will possess a working knowledge and demonstrated experience with federal, state, and local transportation planning processes and the NEPA process. Experience with successful completion of NEPA compliance for DOTs in Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, and other Midwest states including Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma is a plus. They will be responsible for coordinating schedules, providing technical QA, implementing program policy and problem resolution to assure project completions on time and within budget. Flexibility and willingness to work as part of an in interdisciplinary team is a must. Opportunities for growth include development of client relationships, marketing and business development, and leading a team of NEPA practitioners.

Wood invites qualified applicants with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree or higher in the field of environmental science, transportation or urban planning, engineering, or an equivalent discipline with at least 7 years direct work experience to apply for the position. Masters' degree is a plus.

Key Responsibilities

This role will serve a critical function for the delivery of environmental documents. This position will support on-going environmental assessment projects with the following key responsibilities. 

• Planning and directing preparation of defensible NEPA documents, technical studies, and other similar reports/documents
• Performing complex assignments, making independent decisions on problems and methods
• Managing the preparation, planning and analysis/review of technical studies, NEPA documents, and similar reports/documents.
• Management of multi-disciplinary teams for impact assessment, including directing the work of others in completion of required studies, documents, and reports
• Manage and mentor technical teams to complete projects within budget and schedule expectations
• Provide technical direction to project team members for environmental impact analyses and permitting documents
• Direct interaction with clients in process management and provide guidance and advice on complying with NEPA and related statutes and authorities (e.g., Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Executive Order on Environmental Justice, etc.).
• Assist clients with public involvement and comment-response
• Lead/contribute to development of proposals, including scope of work/technical approach, budget, and schedule

• The successful candidate will have a BS/BA degree in in the field of environmental science, transportation or urban planning, engineering, or an equivalent discipline
• At least 7 years of applicable experience with NEPA documentation
• Exceptional writing and oral communication skills, strategic thinking, and presentation skills
• Command of NEPA and its implementing regulations
• Experience analysing written, edited, and organized material from diverse sources and then preparing clear, concise, understandable documents for public review
• Advanced professional experience in developing and writing defensible NEPA documents for DOT projects
• Experience leading professional NEPA project teams is desirable
• Demonstrated experience in development of successful proposals
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel within the central US
• Must pass drug test, background check and must have a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the Company's driving (MVR) policy

Wood is a global leader in engineering and consultancy across energy and the built environment, helping to unlock solutions to some of the world's most critical challenges. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in more than 60 countries, employing around 40,000 people. www.woodplc.com

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.