Cultural Resources & Planning Specialist, VPT

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is seeking a highly motivated Senior Environmental Planner/Cultural Resources Specialist with the intellectual curiosity and initiative to help drive the growth of our dynamic team of environmental consultants in the Pacific Northwest. This is a cross-practice senior-level position with expertise in National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) processes, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act compliance, and in leading tribal engagement efforts on a broad array of projects and issues. This position will report to ESA’s Environmental Planning Team and will also provide services for ESA’s Cultural Resources Team. This opportunity is focused on collaboration, team building, quality deliverables, outstanding client service, business development, and being part of a growing team with a passion to do great work and have fun together. This position is based in Portland, OR.

Who You Are 

• You hold a bachelor’s or higher degree in archaeology/anthropology or a related field. with working experience in environmental planning, environmental policy, or a related interdisciplinary field. 
• You have a minimum of 20 years of experience leading or directing the development of tribal outreach plans and early engagement strategies, tribal meeting facilitation, and supporting NEPA and environmental permitting efforts for clients across the NW in key markets, including energy, water, and transportation for both public agency and private development clients.
• A master's degree with 15 years of relevant experience will be considered as well.
• You have led or been a project manager for at least one complex permitting project in Oregon or Washington state.
• You have hands-on experience, a get-it-done attitude, and a working knowledge base of SEPA, land use, and environmental permitting, and relevant regulatory and environmental regulations and processes in Washington state.
• You are known for preparing documents that are clear, 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.
• You are a collaborative and supportive team member and communicator who takes the initiative to identify and contribute to broad project or team goals, providing mentoring and coaching to more junior staff to foster team success. You work collaboratively with clients and interdisciplinary teams to deliver your projects on time and within budget and have developed and tracked scope, schedules, and budgets.
• You are an environmental and cultural resources specialist who has significant experience working on a variety of infrastructure projects that involve water and biological resources, multiple interested parties with conflicting missions
• You possess excellent oral and presentation skills and have led and directed efforts including programmatic approaches, streamlining section 106 and the environmental process, capture strategies, and competitive proposals. You have an interest in business development and have experience acquiring work through your existing network.
• You are located in Oregon or Washington and have experience working directly with Northwest tribes.
• Experience with and interest in supervising and mentoring staff.

What You Will Do for ESA

• You will serve as Project Manager or Senior Cultural Resources Specialist developing tribal outreach, meeting facilitation, and early engagement strategies for clients across the NW in key markets including energy, water, and transportation.
• You will serve as Project Manager or Senior Environmental Planning Specialist, and/or contributing author for SEPA and NEPA documents for a variety of projects. As a senior-level Environmental Planner, you will lead or direct multi-faceted permitting projects in collaboration with scientists, engineers, archaeologists, landscape architects and other specialists on public and private development projects.
• You will demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for the development of compliance and planning documents in accordance with applicable