Environmental Planner jobs in New Mexico

This Opportunity

At WSP, we are inspired by bringing together the right people to be a part of future-focused business objectives to support our vast client base.  Across the world, the importance of ethical environmental systems and projects are the foundation of shaping the future of our environment. Through public consultancy, strategic planning practices and stakeholder engagement, we can provide clients a concrete and realistic understanding of a project’s impact.  
 
As a world-wide leader of environmental and transportation consulting and planning services, we invite you to be a part of that vision.  Our Planning & Environment group in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is looking for an Associate Environmental Planner to support and add to our wide and diverse range of environmental planning services that enables future-ready growth. 
 
Please note:

• If your experience does not match the listed requirement - please feel free to still apply. We are currently considering multiple openings of various experience levels.

Your Impact

Design

• Participate in planning and engineering studies related to environmental permitting and due diligence for energy transmission, solar renewables, transportation, water, and federal planning projects.
• Under general supervision, conduct biological natural resource field surveys collecting observational and spatial data concerning a variety of vegetation, wetland, wildlife, terrestrials, botanical, and/or avian species in support of pre-construction project design and engineering.  
• Contribute to the natural resources portions of planning documents.
• Assist with preparing environmental survey reports, data entry, impact assessment, and assist with permitting activities for assigned projects (e.g. Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act permitting, National Historic Preservation Act, NEPA, etc.).
• Coordination, preparation, and submittal of regulatory development applications and other land use planning for energy, transportation, or government projects with supervision.
• Maintains and designs project tracking mechanisms, process design, and record keeping.
• Assist with implementation of project development requirements with WSP personnel, outside contractors, and agency / tribal stakeholders.

Analyze  

• Conducts data collection, research, field surveys, technical memoranda, documentation, and technical work under supervision. 
• Prepares technical memoranda, documentation, and reports under supervision.
• Assist in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of environmental data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for low to mid-level threat mitigation and permitting activities projects to minimize impacts to the health of the environment and the population.
• Responsible for understanding regulatory rules and rule changes. 

Collaborate 

• Begin to provide guidance to junior staff or interns to assist with project flow.
• Collaborate on presentation material and ideas with other staff in preparation for public meetings or client interactions. 
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Planning, Urban Planning, Geography, Environmental Science, Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
• 1 to 3 years of experience working in the environmental planning field, completing environmental surveys, fieldwork, habitat and construction support, impact assessments, and permitting.
  • If your experience does not match the listed requirement - please feel free to still apply. We are currently considering multiple openings of various experience levels.
    
• Capable analytical skills, and experience with research techniques, local/regional ecology and habitats, and applicable Regional/State/Federal regulatory framework.
• Familiarity with GPS/GIS mapping software.
• Highly familiar with American Southwest plant and animal identification.
• Familiar with relevant natural resources laws, permitting requirements, and agency notification and compliance practices. 
• Competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
• Competent self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Basic proficiency with business writing, office automation and communication software, technology, and tools.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with tribal, federal, state, or local agencies or the public.
• Experience conducting protocol surveys for special status species, particularly avian raptors and endangered plants.
• Familiarity with rules and regulations related to NEPA; Endangered Species Act; Migratory Bird Treaty Act; Clean Water Act; and state and local environmental rules and regulations and related reporting requirements (e.g., Environmental Assessments; Biological Assessments; Reclamation Plans; Pre-Construction Notifications).
• Eager to participate in land management to promote responsible, sustainable development of oil and gas projects, renewable energy infrastructure, roads and bridges, and more.

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