Environmental Project Manager - Permitting & Client Development (Vancouver, WA)

Burns & McDonnell is seeking an Environmental Project Manager in our Vancouver, WA office with strong business development capabilities to support electric and natural gas utilities; renewable energy projects including solar, battery storage, and wind; data center siting and permitting throughout the Pacific Northwest.

This role combines leadership of complex environmental permitting projects (approximately 70%) with strategic client development and market growth responsibilities (approximately 30%). The successful candidate will manage multidisciplinary project teams while expanding client relationships and identifying new opportunities across the region.

Position Overview

The Environmental Project Manager will lead permitting and compliance efforts for utility and renewable infrastructure projects, while also serving as a trusted advisor to clients and a growth leader within the Pacific Northwest market.

This position requires deep knowledge of federal, state, and local permitting requirements, strong regulatory agency relationships, and demonstrated success managing projects from early planning through construction. The role also requires the ability to identify, shape, and help close new work within existing and emerging client accounts. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of working with multiple clients as a seller-doer with strong current client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Delivery

• Lead environmental permitting projects from planning through approval for a variety of industries, but focused on delivery of electric transmission, distribution, generation, substations, and renewable projects. Experience with midstream natural gas projects is desirable.
• Manage scope, schedule, and budget to ensure high-quality, on-time, and profitable delivery.
• Develop permitting strategies and regulatory pathways tailored to project risk and client objectives.
• Oversee preparation of permit applications, environmental documentation, technical studies, and compliance plans.
• Serve as primary point of contact with federal, state, and local agencies.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including natural resources, cultural resources, NEPA/SEPA specialists, and engineering disciplines.
• Advise clients on regulatory risk, schedule implications, and mitigation strategies.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Business Development & Client Growth

• Support and help execute a regional growth strategy for environmental services within the Pacific Northwest utility and renewables markets.
• Identify and develop new opportunities within existing client relationships and targeted accounts.
• Participate in proposal development, cost estimating, and client presentations.
• Build and maintain executive and project-level client relationships.
• Monitor regulatory, infrastructure investment, and market trends to inform growth strategy.
• Collaborate across practices and offices to expand integrated service offerings.

Market Focus

Primary focus areas include:

• Electric utilities (transmission, distribution, substations, generation)
• Renewable energy developers (wind, solar, battery storage)
• Infrastructure projects requiring complex environmental permitting within Washington, Oregon, and surrounding Pacific Northwest states
• Midstream natural gas pipelines and facilities

What Success Looks Like

• Successful delivery of complex permitting projects for utility and renewable clients
• Expansion of key client relationships and repeat business
• Measurable contribution to regional revenue growth
• Strong collaboration across technical disciplines and offices
• Recognition as a trusted advisor within the Pacific Northwest market

• B.S. or M.S. in environmental science, environmental planning, environmental/civil engineering, or related field from an accredited program.
• Minimum 7 years (10 years preferred) of experience managing environmental permitting projects, preferably within the Pacific Northwest.
• Demonstrated expertise in federal, state, and local permitting processes, including NEPA and/or SEPA, USACE, state energy facility siting processes, wetlands, threatened and endangered species, stormwater, and related regulations.
• Experience supporting electric utility and/or renewable energy projects strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and deliver projects within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Experience participating in business development, proposal preparation, and client relationship management.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel within the Pacific Northwest as project and client needs require.