Project Manager – NEPA Specialist – (1435)

Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) is a dynamic, medium-size consulting firm with offices across the United States and Canada. Since 1990, WEST has grown to be one of the premier environmental and statistical consulting firms in the United States. WEST has a permanent core of professionals with broad experience in basic and applied ecological studies, as well as sophisticated analysis of natural resource data.

We are looking for a full-time Project Manager – National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Specialist. Candidates will be responsible for managing projects with a primary focus on NEPA compliance. This includes projects related to federal land management and federal permitting for various industries, including renewable energy, transmission lines, pipelines, transportation, and other industries or service areas. All WEST ecologists are supported by a team of technical and non-technical staff, which sets new team members up for success. Beyond science and policy, we encourage and support participation in conservation actions at the local and national level and have developed a company-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program. We are seeking a qualified NEPA Project Manager to help WEST take the next step in our growth as a full-service environmental consulting firm.

Location is flexible but with preference for joining one of our existing branch office locations (see https://west-inc.com/about-us/locations/).

Please click here to see what benefits WEST offers!

The minimum base salary for this position is $75,000, plus benefits and annual bonus. Salary may vary based on education, knowledge, and experience.

Job Summary:

Candidates must have a strong understanding of the NEPA process with experience overseeing the preparation of environmental assessments (EAs) and/or environmental impact statements (EISs). Experience carrying out NEPA review with two or more federal agencies is preferred. The ideal candidate will also have experience complying with other federal laws and regulations, such as the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and Clean Air Act, along with state environmental permitting and review. Although this candidate will focus on NEPA, opportunities to support other WEST services will also be available based on the candidate’s background and areas of interest.

WEST Project Managers work individually, as well as with a team of natural resource specialists, scientists, GIS specialists, biometricians, and editors.

Responsibilities include:

• Oversee the preparation of legally sound NEPA documents (i.e., EISs, EAs, and categorical exclusions) and other environmental compliance documents.
• Direct multi-disciplinary teams in completing environmental reviews for small, medium, and large-scale projects.
• Provide strategic input and support to WEST in growing and expanding our NEPA services within the United States.
• Provide oversight and advice to junior staff working on NEPA projects, including training and mentoring to members of the NEPA team.
• Maintain proficiency and expertise in NEPA, including tracking regulatory changes and agency best practices.
• Maintain productive and mutually beneficial working relationships with clients and partners and actively promote new business development efforts with an emphasis on NEPA projects and related work.
• Prepare proposals for NEPA and other compliance work, including scopes of work, schedules, and budget estimates.
• Coordinate with local/state/federal agencies, tribes, and the public in helping clients meet compliance requirements, effectively communicate project details, and record stakeholder input, including developing presentations and facilitating agency and public meetings.
• Perform quality checks to ensure agency, WEST, and/or client standards are met.
• Help maintain WEST’s position as thought leaders in the environmental consulting market.

This is a general description of the functions for this position and is not inclusive of all the duties which may be associated with this position.

Requirements:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, planning, or natural resource science, with a master’s degree preferred.
• Six or more years of full-time professional experience as a NEPA practitioner; two or more years as a NEPA project or deputy project manager.
• Must have a thorough understanding of NEPA, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) implementing regulations, and agency-specific implementing regulations, along with experience preparing NEPA compliance documents.
• Ability to compile and evaluate information, presenting the results in a clear and concise manner to various audiences.
• Established positive relationships with agency staff based on previous NEPA work.
• Project management experience, including maintaining project schedules, budget creation and tracking, and proposal writing, along with a track record of maintaining positive relationships with coworkers, clients, and stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively manage time to meet deliverable targets and deadlines, work well under time constraints, balance multiple priorities, and track progression of various documents concurrently.
• Excellent technical writing/editing and strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong people skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a team with other professionals.

After an offer of employment is made, the candidate must successfully pass a pre- employment background check, drug screening, and a DMV records check that meets WEST’s minimum criteria to operate a motor vehicle on behalf of the company. A valid driver’s license will be required.

WEST provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, genetics, and any protected veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Further, WEST takes affirmative action to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly, and without discrimination, for recruitment, selection, advancement and every other term and privilege associated with employment.