DescriptionOur Business
We are a global leader in environmental consulting with world-class expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG), climate resiliency & sustainability (CRS), and earth sciences. We have over 20,000 multidisciplinary professionals worldwide collaborating daily to protect and conserve natural landscapes, create firm foundations for communities to stand on, and champion sustainable development to combat climate change.
As part of the team, you will have access to an unparalleled network of resources and endless opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects with diverse teammates from across the globe.
This Opportunity
WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead ESIA/NEPA Professional Environmental Planner for our Indianapolis, IN office. We are seeking an Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Professional with a background in transportation and infrastructure as well as the energy/nuclear market. This professional will join our interdisciplinary team of professionals in our Midwest Region, focused on impact assessment for the social, natural, and physical environment to support a variety of clients and projects. This individual will be the NEPA Lead here in Indianapolis and support our local business lines in IN, OH, IL, and WI. This person will also support a dynamic team and work collaboratively within the region and with other planners, scientists, and engineers within WSP to successfully meet our clients’ needs for environmental and social impact analysis and permitting with a wide range of clients in the energy industry.
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. We are currently looking for an experienced professional to lead ESIA projects in coordination with other planners, biologists, archeologists, scientists, and engineers. Leadership of such efforts will include client coordination and 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 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations and guidance, ESIA, 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, Wetland delineation, assessment, and permitting, and similar impact assessment documentation for a variety of clients. 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.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate experience in directing the technical and administrative aspects of complex environmental studies for environmental impact assessment, and will be responsible for coordinating schedules, providing technical direction to project teams, ensuring regulatory compliance, implementing program policy and problem resolution to assure project completions on time and within budget. Flexibility and willingness to work as part of an interdisciplinary team is a must. Opportunities for growth include development of client relationships, marketing and business development, and leading a team of ESIA/NEPA practitioners. WSP invites qualified applicants with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree or higher in the field of environmental science, planning, engineering, or an equivalent discipline with at least 7 years direct work experience to apply for the position. Masters’ degree is a plus.
Your Impact
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 ER and NEPA documents in the nuclear and energy industry, technical studies, and other similar reports/documents
- Providing oversight to develop and review documents for submittal to regulatory agencies or clients with accountability for accuracy and completeness
- 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.)
- Lead/contribute to development of proposals, including scope of work/technical approach, budget, and schedule
- Management of multi-disciplinary teams for impact assessment, including directing the work of others in completion of required studies, documents, and reports
- Performing complex assignments, making independent decisions on problems and methods
- Conducting independent research, reviews, studies, and analyses in support of development of environmental impact assessment documents and supporting efforts
- 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 license/permitting documents
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- The successful candidate will have a BS/BA degree in in the field of environmental/biological science, planning, engineering, or an equivalent discipline
- 7 to 10 years of experience that includes advanced professional experience in developing and writing defensible ESIA/NEPA documents for transportation and Oil and Gas and energy projects
- Command of NEPA and its implementing regulations
- Exceptional writing and oral communication skills, strategic thinking, and presentation skills
- Experience analyzing written, edited, and organized material from diverse sources and then preparing clear, concise, understandable documents for public review
- Experience leading professional NEPA project teams
- Demonstrated experience in development of successful proposals
