PLAA and Permitting Specialist

Job Description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!

When it comes to what you want in your career, if you can imagine it, you can do it gine a career working with intelligent, diverse people sharing a common quest. Imagine a workplace where you can be yourself. Where you can thrive. Where you can find your next, right now. We’ve got what you’re looking for.

We are seeking highly motivated and enthusiastic candidates for the position of PLAA and Permitting Lead/Specialist to support Parsons Infrastructure business.

Parsons is a flexible employer that is open to staff being mapped to any of our offices in the Greater Toronto Area.

The PLAA and Permitting Lead/Specialist’s key responsibilities will include taking the lead on coordinating, obtaining, and advising on permits for various infrastructure projects. This can involve permit identification, negotiations and pre-approval at the Environmental Assessment (EA) / planning projects or coordinating and obtaining all PLAA in the detailed design phase. Projects can be at the municipal, provincial, or federal level and can involve large scale infrastructure projects (potentially in alternative delivery project models) or more traditional design-bid-build projects.

PLAA can include a wide range of permits at all levels of government/agency, including environmental permits, land use approvals, construction-related permits (e.g., by-law exemptions, dewatering, road occupancy, etc.), and technical permits (ECA, electrical, utility).

The PLAA and Permitting Lead/Specialist’s key responsibilities include:

• Identify and coordinate all permits on the projects you’re involved in, including following up with specialists on their permit progress
• The main focus will be on environmental permits (i.e., DFO, MECP, Conservation Authority, Local Municipality), however the role also involves knowledge and coordination of other permits
• Tracking permit progress and continue to follow up with internal and external stakeholders to progress permits
• Negotiate with relevant authorities/agencies in order to obtain PLAA for the project to proceed to construction
• Advise and support project team members on PLAA processes and needs
• Client Liaison as required to report on PLAA progress

• 6+ years of experience
• Post‑secondary education in any of: planning, environmental science/studies, biology/ecology, geography, or related field
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and lead your own component of the project
• Experience with coordinating or obtaining environmental permitting and approvals process, notably permits and approvals with DFO for fisheries impacts, MECP for SAR impacts, local conservation authorities (e.g., TRCA, CVC, CLOCA, Conservation Halton, etc.) related to stormwater management and natural heritage impacts, and municipal tree permits
• Experience negotiating and consulting with the authorities/agencies having jurisdiction for various permits in order to facilitate obtaining approvals/permits
• Knowledge of local, provincial and federal environmental policies, legislation and applicable law
• Knowledge of or experience obtaining non-environmental PLAA, including land use approvals, building permits, Transport Canada navigable waters approval, Environmental Compliance Approval, electrical permits, by-law exemptions, utility permits, etc.
• Experience in the Ontario market with a focus on infrastructure projects (local/regional municipalities, MTO, Metrolinx, TTC)
• Experience coordinating with design and construction disciplines and understand basic design (civil, drainage, structural, etc.) principles and design drawings
• Knowledge of and experience with Environmental Assessments including Municipal Class EA, Transit Project Assessment Process, Canadian Impact Assessment Act, Ministry of Transportation Class EA Process
• Strong technical writing skills
• French language considered an asset

This position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team. For more than 80 years, our experts have designed and delivered the critical infrastructure that connects and protects communities…