Principal Project Manager

About the opportunity: SWCA Environmental Consultants' Delivery Team is seeking a Principal Project Manager – Transmission . The Delivery Team is a nationwide organization within SWCA comprised of our Science and Technical Leadership Team (SWCA's technical and scientific thought leadership, technical practice groups, and technical staff development) and Program Management (SWCA's client-focused teams aligned to execute and scale with our strategic clients). The Delivery Team leads company-wide growth, scaling, market positioning, and strategic initiatives across SWCA and has substantial influence and impact on our business.
This successful candidate will be a senior leader with experience working on transmission line capital project development, FERC Order 1000 competitive solicitations, transmission line siting, permitting, construction compliance, and asset operation. Qualified candidates will be fluent in issues of importance to transmission developers, have a strong understanding of RTOs and transmission markets, and have demonstrated ability to develop opportunities into successful sales and sustained growth. The position will be a part of growing SWCA's transmission capabilities nationwide and will be responsible for supporting client proposals; executing high-profile, complex, and challenging projects; promoting team engagement and quality delivery; leading permitting strategy and agency engagement; and responsible for growing and maintaining client relationships.
We will consider both hybrid and remote candidates for this role. This is a regular status (with benefits), full-time, salaried position. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications, experience, and candidate location.
Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.
What you will accomplish: Serve as a company-wide SME on transmission siting, permitting, and associated compliance efforts. Manage transmission line capital projects including routing studies, FERC Order 1000 competitive solicitations, federal, state, and local permitting efforts, and associated resource studies. Manage and lead all aspects of capital projects successfully, including budgeting, scheduling, research, fieldwork, report writing, staff management and change order management, Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, agencies, and key internal stakeholders at SWCA to support project execution. Develop permitting strategies and advise clients on approaches to project entitlement that best achieves their specific objectives. Demonstrate excellent leadership behavior and professionalism while providing leadership at the project, team, and organization level. Provide expertise, technical oversight, and guidance to SWCA project managers and teams on complex projects. Contribute and participate in enterprise-level growth strategies around SWCA's transmission business by supporting staff growth, developing market strategies, and by contributing to business development pursuits and proposals. As opportunities allow, serve as the direct leader (supervisor) or mentor to staff. Experience and qualifications for success: We seek a team member who brings with him/her demonstrated experience in transmission line capital project development and permitting, environmental analysis, and agency consultation. We seek the following specific qualities: 
Required: Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another applicable science-related field.  At least twelve (12) years of relevant experience, including at least five (5) years of experience as a project manager supporting major transmission capital projects. Management experience on complex, multi-disciplinary projects; leading meetings with clients and agencies; directing project teams including subcontractors; preparing or directing staff in the preparation of technical studies and NEPA documents; and setting and adhering to project budgets and delivery schedules. Ability to provide direct leadership and Subject Matter Expertise to teams to support and accept accountability for quality project delivery, staff growth, and client and agency satisfaction. F luency in issues of importance to transmission developers. Strong understanding of RTOs and transmission markets. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization, schedule, and budget management skills. A strong understanding and experience with federal and state environmental regulations including NEPA, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and the ability to develop project execution plans to satisfy regulatory compliance. A strong understanding of agency internal processes and procedures and positive existing relationships with federal land management and regulatory agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), US Forest Service (USFS), National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), FERC, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).  Preferred qualifications: Master's degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or another natural, biological, or cultural-resources-related field. A minimum of 10 years of experience in environmental consulting. Ability to be recognized by clients and agencies as a trusted advisor who can provide strategy insights and lead a project through all phases of capital project development from siting, early development, permitting, and construction. Established relationships with transmission developers. Experience working in major transmission markets including one or more of CAISO, WECC, SPP, PJM, NYSIO, and/or MISO. Why Work at SWCA: SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. Our Vision (the North Star) is  to make SWCA the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges while maintaining a dedication to employee-ownership. We live our core values: we collaborate as #OneSWCA;  we are #AlwaysLearning , we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned , and we build our success together. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms . We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment and competitive wages and benefits, including an 100% employee stock ownership plan (retirement).
At SWCA, we support our team members in developing their careers to make them leaders in their industry. Our Career Landscape initiative is a process and guide designed to help develop chart rewarding career paths for employees at SWCA. We encourage professional conference attendance, internal and external professional development and training programs, education reimbursement, a Science and Leadership Program, and bonuses for publications meeting certain criteria. All regular status employees are eligible to participate in SWCA medical, dental, vision, employee assistance, wellness, life and disability plans, and are eligible to participate in the SWCA 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.
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EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success. SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency. An employee in this position can expect an annual salary of $126,048 - $165,984/year . Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law.  Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA's Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more. SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA's continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.