Description

Position Overview

The Environmental Permitting Specialist / Project Manager will lead and manage environmental permitting and compliance projects, working closely with clients, engineers, scientists, consultants, and regulatory agencies.

The successful candidate will develop permitting strategies, evaluate environmental impacts, prepare and oversee regulatory applications, coordinate agency consultations, develop mitigation approaches, and manage projects to successful completion.

This position requires strong knowledge of California and federal environmental regulations, excellent project management skills, sound professional judgment, and the ability to communicate effectively with clients, regulatory agencies, and multidisciplinary project teams.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

Manage environmental projects from initial planning through permitting, implementation, and compliance.
Define project scope, tasks, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
Coordinate project teams, subcontractors, clients, engineers, and regulatory agencies.
Monitor project progress, budgets, schedules, and quality.
Identify project risks and develop effective solutions.
Prepare proposals, scopes of work, budgets, and project schedules.
Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with OEI quality standards.
Environmental Permitting & Regulatory Compliance

Develop and implement federal, state, and local permitting strategies.
Manage preparation and submittal of regulatory permit applications and supporting documentation.
Coordinate permitting activities with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other regulatory agencies.
Oversee permitting associated with:
Clean Water Act Section 404 permits
Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 permits
Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certifications
Waste Discharge Requirements
California Fish and Game Code Section 1600 Streambed Alteration Agreements
California Endangered Species Act and Incidental Take Permits
Federal Endangered Species Act consultations and Biological Opinions
CEQA documentation and compliance
Track permit conditions and oversee regulatory compliance throughout project implementation.
Interpret federal, state, and local environmental regulations and advise clients regarding regulatory requirements and project risks.

Environmental Impact & Mitigation

Evaluate potential impacts to wetlands, waters, biological resources, and sensitive species.
Coordinate with technical staff to obtain wetland delineations, biological surveys, habitat assessments, GIS analyses, and other technical studies.
Develop and evaluate avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures.
Assist with mitigation planning, design, implementation, monitoring, and long-term compliance.
Integrate environmental requirements into project planning and design.
Client & Agency Coordination

Serve as a primary point of contact for clients on environmental permitting and compliance matters.
Build productive working relationships with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
Coordinate with engineers, planners, biologists, GIS specialists, contractors, and other technical professionals.
Participate in agency meetings, project meetings, site visits, and regulatory consultations.
Communicate complex environmental requirements clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
CEQA & Environmental Documentation

Assist with preparation and review of CEQA documents and supporting technical materials.
Review environmental analyses and technical studies for consistency with regulatory requirements.
Provide technical editing and quality assurance of environmental reports, permit applications, and other project deliverables.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Review project deliverables for technical accuracy, completeness, consistency, and regulatory compliance.
Ensure work products meet OEI standards and client expectations.
Exercise professional judgment in identifying potential regulatory, technical, and project-management issues.
Business Development

Support client retention and development of new business opportunities.
Identify opportunities to expand services with existing clients.
Prepare and respond to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Qualifications (RFQs).
Assist with scopes of work, fee proposals, presentations, and other business-development materials.
Represent OEI professionally with clients, agencies, and industry partners.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, biology, planning, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
10+ years of professional experience in environmental regulatory permitting in California.
Demonstrated experience managing complex environmental permitting projects.
Strong working knowledge of California and federal environmental regulations.
Experience with federal and state regulatory agencies and permitting processes.
Demonstrated knowledge of CEQA and environmental compliance.
Strong project management, organizational, and time-management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to interpret scientific, regulatory, legal, financial, engineering, and construction-related documents.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work.
Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and discretion.
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.