Permitting Specialist - AECOM

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AECOM is actively seeking a Permitting Specialist with proven Mid-Atlantic and most importantly New Jersey environmental permitting experience for work in the AECOM Conshohocken, Pennsylvania office.  Other office locations may be considered.  The successful candidate will work within an interdisciplinary collaborative environment that provides career growth opportunities within AECOM’s Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) Mid-Atlantic Region Team.  This position will include directing and completing state as well as federal permitting to include report writing, permitting application preparation, directing environmental/engineering/cultural resources support staff and coordinating with agencies and clients.  Experience with invasive and rare, threatened and endangered (T&E) species surveys, as well as wetland mitigation and/or monitoring experience will also be considered as part of this role.  The EPP Mid-Atlantic team largely works on Projects in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio.

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Leading preliminary desktop assessments of potential permitting requirements for proposed projects including deliverable coordination/development and/or review of critical issues analysis that is either completed in-house or by a subcontractor.
• Leading development of detailed permit matrices composed of applicable federal/state/local environmental regulations.
• Leading/originating development of initial and subsequent strategy for obtaining Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404/401 permitting and/or other federal, state, and local permits, including coordination with senior staff, clients, and reviewing agencies.
• Coordination and/or leading due diligence desktop and field-based site investigations in support of project planning and permitting.  Such efforts may include:
  • Aquatic resources delineation (streams/wetlands), GPS survey, with in-depth confirmation point details for subsequent preparation of reporting and application for USACE Approved Jurisdictional Determination, state Letter of Interpretation, or permitting.
  • T&E species habitat assessment, nesting surveys, specific species surveys, and reporting with sub-contractor / agency coordination.
  • Coordination and review of cultural resources investigations (Phase I/II) and reporting.
• Conducting detail and/or technical review of ecological assessment documents, and other associated industry reports.
• Prepare permit applications and manage review, submittal, and processing for permitting such as federal Section 401/404, Section 7 Endangered Species Act, NJDEP Waterfront Development Permits, NJ Coastal Area Facility Review Act Permits, NJ 401 Water Quality Certification (Including the Meadowlands), NJ Freshwater Wetlands and Flood Hazard Permits, NJ permits/authorizations for impacts in the Pinelands area, NJPDES Stormwater Construction Permits, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan applications, and others.
• Lead and assist with task management according to approved scopes of work and delivering quality deliverables on schedule and within budget.
• Coordinating and leading conversations with clients (internal and external), and various governmental agencies (federal/state/local).
• Coordinating and managing subcontractors and vendors.
• Serving as a technical lead for environmental, biological, permitting and other impact assessments across the region.
• Assisting Senior Managers with business development activities, including proposals, pre-qualifications, and relationship building with clients and prospective clients.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Environmental Studies, Biology, or related field +6 years of experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
• Valid Driver’s License and as a condition of employment must be able to pass AECOM’s Motor Vehicle Records review.
• US Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 6+ years of completing NJ and federal permits in accordance with corresponding regulations.
• Project task management experience with oversight of staff / subcontractors and budget.
• Proficiency in permit application preparation experience in NJ and other mid-Atlantic states, supporting data collection and review, and preparation of scientific documents including wetland delineations, wetland mitigation, stream assessments, technical reports.
• Demonstrable technical writing, deliverable development, and review.
• Strong and proven experience with regional and specifically NJ environmental and ecological permits and agency coordination.
• Experience in performing ecological assessments for natural gas, electric utilities, and/or renewables industries.
• Technical writing experience specifically for siting studies, and/or FERC resource reports, and/or NEPA analysis preferred.
• Geographic Information System (GIS) background and/or knowledge.
• Driver’s license with trailer certification; boat transportation/operation/maintenance experience.
• Safety training (i.e., OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hours).
• High degree of self-motivation and the ability to work independently with limited supervision, as well as in collaborative team environment.
• Ability to lead and manage field and permitting/ impact assessment teams.
• Excellent communication skills, including both oral and written (technical writing sample may be required).
• Excellent and relevant references.

• Relocation is not available for this position.
• Sponsorship is not available for this position.
• The position has the potential to require fieldwork, and the candidate should be willing to travel (including overnight).

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.