Project Environmental Specialist 1

GAI Consultants is seeking an individual with 10+ years of experience to provide advanced experience and team leadership in environmental studies and permitting and/or siting studies. The Senior Project Environmental Specialist's primary work responsibility will be to provide task leadership for siting, permitting, and documentation efforts relating to environmental resources for electric transmission projects. This position will work under the direction of a Project Manager. The Senior Project Environmental Specialist will also be responsible for coordination with clients and regulatory agencies, proposal preparation and cost estimating, and quality control reviews.
This position will work out of our Canton, OH, Cranberry, PA, or Homestead, PA office. Other office locations and/or remote locations may also be considered.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Lead transmission line siting investigation tasks and prepare siting documentation for regulatory review.
• Lead environmental resource investigation tasks and prepare permit applications and associated environmental reports.
• Prepare proposals and cost estimates.
• Coordinate with clients and regulatory agencies.
• Coordinate environmental field surveys including but not limited to wetland and stream delineations, endangered species surveys, environmental inspections, and compliance monitoring.
• Strong technical writing ability.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Must be able to travel, including overnight trips. Travel is estimated to occur monthly, but may vary. Travel to clients, projects, and meetings in the mid-Atlantic and Midwest (up to 20%).
• Provide status and progress reports to customers, project teams, and management.
• Coordinate implementation and compliance with safety protocols and procedures.

Qualifications:  

• Experience in siting and/or environmental studies and permitting. 
• Experience in preparing siting documentation for state or federal regulatory agencies preferred. 
• Experience in preparing Section 404/401 and Section 10 permit applications. Experience with state permitting requirements (including waterbody, floodplain, and SWPPP permits) in OH, WV, VA, KY, TN, MD, NJ, or PA. 
• Technical expertise and experience in an environmental or socioeconomic field. 

Preferred 

• Experience in wetland delineation, function and value assessment, mitigation design, endangered species surveys, and/or GIS applications is a plus. 
• Experience conducting ORAM, HHEI/QHEI and/or Tennessee Qualified Hydrologic Professional evaluations a plus. 

General Characteristics

• Begins assisting Task Managers and Project Manager as needed on technical aspects of the project; well-rounded in aspects of consulting and the industry. 

Minimum Years of Experience

• 10+ Years of Experience 

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Sciences or similar field of study

Technical Responsibilities

• Begins to learn specialized knowledge in the environmental sciences gained through advanced degree or extensive experience in the field: Oversight of task managers'; Coordination of project tasks; Reviews project documents; Carries out complex assignments requiring industry-current techniques or procedures; Agency and subconsultant interface; Focus on data analysis, interpretation, and review; Serves as a peer advisor with regards to area of specialization; mentors junior staff. 

Project and Task Management

• Begins to perform task management. 

Management Responsibility

• Begins to assist with the supervision of technical studies within assigned tasks; Can serve as task manager on small to medium tasks requiring specialized technical expertise; Maintains GAI's procedures and protocols; Assists with identifying and scoping technical studies required for projects. 
• Guidance and oversight from Project Managers and task managers in specific environmental areas. 

Communication Skills

• Possess effective oral and