Principal Environmental Planner – Transmission; Bay Area

Principal Environmental Planner – Transmission (located in Bay Area)

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SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a self‑motivated Principal Environmental Planner/Project Manager – Transmission (HR Title = Principal Environmental Planner) with strong interpersonal skills and experience in permitting and multidisciplinary project management to join our team and primarily support electric transmission projects. This individual will work with a dynamic and company wide team to successfully drive transmission projects throughout all phases, from early planning and permitting through construction.

This position will be based in the San Francisco Bay Area and requires candidates to be located in the Bay Area Metropolitan Area. Opportunities to work with other offices in California and across the country will be available.

The successful candidate will have technical expertise and experience in energy siting and constraints studies, permitting, California Environmental Act (CEQA)/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) permitting, and agency interactions at all levels. Required skills include the ability to manage large, complex projects and meet milestones within schedule and budget expectations as well as competency in providing quality assurance, quality control (QA/QC) oversight.

The candidate will be experienced in managing multidisciplinary staff to complete project permitting requirements. Attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work directly with clients is imperative. Interest in pursuing new business is also desirable.

This is a regular status, full‑time, salaried position. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience.

• Lead, oversee, and execute the management of permitting efforts for electric transmission projects of all sizes and levels of complexity.
• Work closely with project teams to navigate permitting challenges and meet client needs.
• Take initiative and resolve issues to assure client needs are met effectively.
• Lead and advise on the development of permitting strategies, provide QA/QC of work processes and deliverables, and lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts.
• Manage projects that include CEQA/NEPA compliance, routing and siting, CPUC permitting, biological and cultural resource assessments and constraints analyses, state and federal Endangered Species Act consultations, and Clean Water Act Section 404 and Section 401 permitting.
• Ensure that transmission projects meet quality, schedule, and budget objectives.
• Manage project expectations while delegating and managing deliverables with key team members and stakeholders.
• Work with SWCA’s project controls department to review invoices, expenditures, and project audits for projects and tasks.
• Work closely with SWCA’s resource scientists, environmental planners, managers, and directors in both natural and cultural resources groups throughout the company to promote SWCA’s business interests in adherence to its mission, vision, and values.
• Implement and administer SWCA’s safety procedures and standards of scientific and professional ethics.
• Support business line growth by contributing to business development pursuits and proposals.
• Mentor early and mid‑career staff in the development of the skills in interdisciplinary project management, CEQA/NEPA analysis, environmental permitting, and document preparation.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization.
• Manage complex projects in diverse settings and with changing requirements.
• Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.
• Working in a fast‑paced work environment and desire to work in a highly collaborative team atmosphere.

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, biology, environmental science, natural resources…