We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Environmental Planner (SEPA/NEPA) with intellectual curiosity and initiative to help drive the growth of our dynamic team of environmental planners in the Pacific Northwest. This is a senior-level opportunity focused on SEPA/NEPA compliance in our NW Environmental Planning team, which provides environmental compliance for municipalities, water districts, energy providers, transit agencies, educational institutions, airports and maritime ports, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and private developers throughout the Puget Sound region and the Pacific Northwest. The position will be focused on leading SEPA projects, GMA Comprehensive Planning, land use, equity, displacement, environmental justice, climate action and adaptation planning, and related work in the Northwest region. As a Senior Environmental Planner, you will engage in business development efforts for yourself and the environmental planning group.

The team is growing into new markets and applying their expertise and skills to new opportunities, so a successful candidate is a person who thrives in a growth environment, where supporting new clients and learning new skills is expected. In addition to project delivery, this position provides opportunities to contribute to the growth and evolution of the practice through business development, client relationship building, and market leadership. We value creative thinking, diversity, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration.

We are seeking a person who:

• Brings strong SEPA/NEPA experience and can lead complex environmental review processes, including developing compliance strategies, working effectively with lead agencies and project teams, and guiding projects through environmental review.
• Thrives in a dynamic, client-focused environment with shifting priorities and varied project needs.
• Is motivated by contributing to the growth, strength, and long-term success of the environmental planning group.
• Collaborates effectively and takes pride in mentoring, supporting, and developing others.
• Is energized by taking on unfamiliar challenges and learning new skills.
• Identifies growth opportunities and builds strong client relationships to support the environmental planning business development goals in the region.
• Able to work onsite a few days per week when needed.

Who You Are

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree with major course work in environmental, urban or transportation planning, geography, public policy, science, or a related interdisciplinary field and have a minimum of 10 years of relevant, professional experience.
• Hands-on experience and comprehensive knowledge of SEPA compliance, policy planning, land use and environmental permitting, and relevant regulatory requirements and processes in Washington state.
• Experienced in preparing documents that are concise, well-written and supported, and for your ability to present information understandably and speak persuasively about complex topics to colleagues, clients, agency staff, teaming partners, other project stakeholders and the general public.
• Experienced in preparing permit applications that are complete and compliant, whether the permitting entity be local, state or federal.
• Collaborative and supportive team member who takes the initiative to identify and contribute to broad project or team goals and provides mentoring and coaching to more junior staff to foster team success.
• Experienced with environmental compliance and permitting for projects of varying degrees of complexity and of different types, such as transportation; energy; airports; maritime ports; public infrastructure; recreation and parks; general and specific land use plans; adaptation or resiliency; and land use code analysis.
• Experience with GMA and comprehensive planning, including subarea plans and planned actions, is a plus.
• Experience working on projects in Washington and Oregon. Experience in other western states a plus.

What You Will Do for ESA

• Serve as a SEPA specialist, leading, preparing or managing the full range of environmental compliance documents. Specialize in project-level environmental review or programmatic comprehensive planning documents.
• Specialize in zoning code review and analysis and review of development plans. Your NEPA experience may also be applied to projects requiring federal environmental review.
• Produce technical work and written products that are clear and concise and will serve as a subject matter expert.
• Provide mentorship and support for junior staff, including reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity and providing constructive feedback and career development guidance while working on projects together.
• Committed to treating people respectfully and equitably.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for the development of environmental compliance and planning documents in accordance with applicable guidelines and requirements, while delivering assignments within budget and schedule.
• Lead and support business and client development efforts including preparing proposals, identifying opportunities, developing capture strategies, and engaging with proposal/interview teams. These efforts will include having the responsibility for preparing scopes of work and budgets.

What’s Special About Our Team

At ESA, we are passionate about helping communities address the challenges of our urban communities in the 21st century. We value creative thinking, diversity, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. Our practice includes environmental planners, scientists, and designers who are engaged in a variety of interesting projects including some of the highest profile and complex in the region.

In the Northwest, our dynamic group of employee-owners is working on projects for clients such as the City of Bellevue, City of Tacoma, Pierce County, King County, Sound Transit, the Port of Seattle, the University of Washington, Meta Platforms, and many other public and private sector clients. Our team thrives on being at the leading edge of environmental and climate science, planning, and policy in the Pacific Northwest.

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company share through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.