Senior Environmental Permitting Specialist

DEA is currently seeking a Senior Environmental Permitting Specialist for our Water and Environment Business Unit's Environmental Planning and Compliance practice in our Portland, OR or Bellevue, WA office. The primary focus of the person in this position will be leading environmental permit compliance efforts in the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance. The person in this position will work with other permitting strategists, biologists, planners and project managers to deliver water, transportation, energy and land development projects.

DEA's Environmental Planning and Compliance (EP&C) practice specializes in natural resources management; local, state, and federal environmental permitting; Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance; and land use and environmental planning. DEA works throughout Washington, Oregon and the western United States on interesting and challenging projects with public and private clients including local municipalities, counties, ports, and transportation agencies, as well as utilities and renewal energy developers.

DEA's EP&C practice includes a team of varied subject matter experts that enjoy working together to collaborate on effective environmental solutions and strategies. Our team also enjoys a culture of community fostered by DEA's cultural drivers. At DEA, work/life balance is respected and supported through a variety of means, including hybrid and flexible work schedules.

Responsibilities:
*Manage local, state, and federal permitting processes in Oregon and Washington, including Sections 401 and 404 of the CWA, ESA, NEPA, Oregon Removal-Fill Law, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA), fish passage, and local Critical Areas ordinance compliance
*Facilitate the acquisition of environmental permits, such as state and federal removal-fill permits, ESA Section 7 consultation, and prepare supporting technical reports and permitting strategies
*Provide technical oversight and senior review on projects requiring ESA compliance
*Prepare NEPA- and WA State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)-related documentation and natural resource-focused technical reports for a variety of lead state and federal agencies
*Determine applicable environmental regulations and relay project design constraints and requirements to project teams
*Collaborate with project design engineers and contractors to identify project design constraints and avoid and/or minimize impacts to environmental resources and to support permit compliance
*Conduct fish and stream surveys in support of environmental permitting
*Conduct fish salvage operations in support of in-water construction work
*Assist with preparation and review of environmental-focused construction specifications and special provisions for projects
*Participate in marketing efforts throughout the region, including business development, client outreach, preparation of proposals, participation in project interviews and presentations, and attendance/presentations at conferences

Desired Skills:
*Qualified as a Senior BA Author by Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT)
*Knowledge of, and experience with, state and federal environmental regulations and guidance, such as the CWA Sections 401, 402, and 404; ESA; NEPA; Washington hydraulic code; Oregon Removal-Fill Act; and local critical areas ordinances in Washington
*Knowledge of Pacific Northwest fish species and salmonid habitat requirements
*Experience conducting fish salvage and other fish and habitat surveys, experience using an electrofisher
*Familiarity with erosion and sedimentation control best management practices (BMPs)
*Familiarity with stormwater management and water quality BMPs
*Knowledge of and experience with GIS and with GPS data collection
*Excellent technical writing skills and strong verbal communication
*Task or project management experience with documented success in project delivery
*Enthusiasm in providing high quality customer service
*Demonstrated record of taking initiative, resolving problems and identifying improved procedures to ensure projects are completed successfully and client needs are met
*Interest in continuing to learn new skills and engage in a variety of project types
*Ability to work in a highly flexible, team-oriented environment

Qualifications:
*Bachelor of Science degree in biology, ecology, or a related field, or master's degree in biology, ecology, or environmental sciences, with bachelor's in an unrelated field
*Minimum of 15 years relevant experience
*Experience with tracking multiple tasks, delegating work, providing quality control reviews, and interfacing with clients
*Experience with Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel, Outlook
*Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions across the western states; must be available for occasional travel

Benefits:
*Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life Insurance
*Health Savings and Lifestyle Spending Account with employer contribution
*Holistic Wellbeing Program with a focus on physical, emotional, financial, career and community health
*Support for continuing education and training opportunities
*Opportunity for growth with support and mentoring to help with professional goals
*Paid Time Off (PTO)/Holiday Pay
*401k
*Flexible 9/80 (every other Friday off) work schedule