Senior Planning Team Lead

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Senior Planning Team Lead to support our operations in the Great Basin. This role is responsible for providing leadership within the Planning and Permitting Program by managing staff, projects, and clients.

The successful candidate will possess a proven track record of developing new business, managing complex projects, meeting financial goals, and mentoring others to do the same. Our Great Basin Team out of Salt Lake City, Utah, seeks a self-motivated individual with proven and demonstrated leadership and communication skills. 

Individuals must have strong NEPA experience (e.g., EAs, EISs), work with peers across various offices, and accomplish tasks associated with a variety of projects in any given week. The ability to work directly with clients is imperative. The interest in pursuing new business is also desirable.

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time. salaried/exempt position, reporting to the Great Basin Planning Director, based in Salt Lake City, UT. Work can be based in the office, in a hybrid work arrangement, or distributed, for those located in the region.

The office offers a collaborative and supportive work environment, and specializes in environmental planning, permitting, multi-disciplinary project manager, and hydropower. The successful candidate will have a depth of experience and familiarity with the business environment with the Great Basin subregion.

• →Support execution of regional Environmental Planning strategies and business objectives.
• →Evaluate market conditions and identify growth opportunities with existing and prospective clients.
• →Lead go/no-go evaluations and support proposal development, marketing pursuits, and capture planning activities.
• →Foster a sell-doer culture through mentoring, accountability, and participation in business development initiatives.
• →Develop and maintain relationships with industry organizations, agency representatives, and key stakeholders to strengthen regional market presence.
• →Lead environmental impact analyses and preparation of NEPA, state, and local environmental review documents, including EAs, EISs, critical-issue analyses, and environmental permits.
• →Provide technical leadership for environmental review efforts supporting renewable energy, transmission, mining, land-use planning, and related infrastructure projects.
• →Guide NEPA processes including baseline studies, purpose-and-need development, public scoping, comment response, and preparation of Records of Decision and Findings of No Significant Impact.
• →Oversee county and state land-use approvals and environmental permitting activities, including special-use permits and certificates of environmental compatibility.

Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree. Eight years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including some experience managing others. Ten years of related experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of experience, performance, training, and/or education.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another planning or science-related field. 
• Eight (8) years of planning or NEPA document preparation and experience in environmental consulting, including some experience managing others.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization, schedule, and budget management skills.
• Experience on complex, multi-disciplinary projects; leading meetings with clients and agencies; directing project teams including subcontractors; preparing or directing staff in the preparation of technical studies and planning/NEPA documents; and setting and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules.
• A working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations including NEPA, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the ability to develop project execution plans to satisfy regulatory compliance.
• A working understanding of agency internal processes and procedures such as the BLM, USFS, NPS, BOR, and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 
• Proven experience with a subset of public lands, land use planning, natural and cultural resource issues, wind and solar projects, transportation projects, and or oil/gas projects in the western US.
• Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.
• A track record of collaborative teamwork, individual accountability, and behaviors that align with SWCA’s values and contribute positively to an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

• Master’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another planning or science-related field.
• Ten (10) years of planning or NEPA document preparation and experience in environmental consulting.
• Experience with supporting business development with federal agencies, RMPs, mining, oil and gas, and renewable energy developers or other non-federal applicants that seek permits or leases from federal agencies.
• Candidates in the Salt Lake City, UT or Great Basin area.

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements. 

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.  

Lead level: Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.  

Work is regularly performed outdoors and involves hiking over uneven terrain, lifting and carrying equipment up to 25–50 pounds, and working in varying/extreme weather conditions. Employees may be exposed to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions while following required safety procedures. 

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Salt Lake City, UT-based position is $95,908.80 to $124,571.20 per year. Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact HRConfidential@swca.com.

If you require assistance with the application process, please contact recruiting@swca.com.

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience. 

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities. 

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. 

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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