Senior NEPA Specialist (Transportation/FRA)

Job Description

At Olsson, we help our clients navigate complex regulatory landscapes with ease. We ensure proactive compliance with key environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Our approach and use of the latest and best methods help clients achieve their project goals while protecting our natural resources.

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Environmental and Permitting Specialist to join our team. In this role, you will lead natural resource evaluations and permitting efforts, including developing strategies for large, complex projects. Responsibilities include coordinating fieldwork and reporting, report writing, providing technical guidance to staff, and engaging proactively with clients, stakeholders, and contractors. You will also manage budgets, invoicing, and schedules to ensure successful project delivery.

The ideal candidate will have established relationships with local, state, and federal permitting agencies, with focused experience in NEPA planning and compliance, and a strong understanding of key environmental programs such as:

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Developing required transportation NEPA documentation: Categorical Exclusion, Environmental Assessment, Environmental Impact Statement, interfacing with agencies (e.g., lead federal agency, state agencies, State Historic Preservation Office [SHPO], USACE, USFWS) to secure necessary reviews and guidance, and coordinating a multidisciplinary team.
• Regulatory Compliance: Navigating federal, state, and local regulations, and liaising with transportation agencies like FRA (preferred), DOT, and FHWA and keeping a pulse of evolving environmental law.
• Public Engagement and Outreach: Organizing public meetings and workshops and gathering community input, soliciting community input to shape projects, communicating project details transparently, and effectively engaging stakeholders.
• Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Work: Engaging with engineers, architects, and urban planners to integrate environmental considerations and facilitating cross disciplinary work.
• Project Management: Overseeing transportation projects from start to finish, managing timelines, budgets, and deliverables, and coordinating with subconsultant, clients and agencies.
• Comprehensive Background In: Environmental regulatory compliance, transportation projects and coordination with FRA is required.

Qualifications

You are passionate about:

• Working collaboratively with others
• Having ownership i