Senior Natural Resources Permitting Manager

Job description

Location(s): Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington

Practice/Department: Emerging Regions

Work Environment: Hybrid/In-Office

Compensation: $120,000-$160,000 annually*

Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies.

Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we’ve been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.

Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience.

Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape.

Who You Are

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.

Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation.

How You’ll Make an Impact

We are seeking a full-time Senior Natural Resources Permitting Manager to lead collaborative project teams in securing permits at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as to develop and manage a portfolio of restoration and natural resources projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. The successful candidate will have a proven and extensive network within the Pacific Northwest, encompassing connections with both clients and representatives from regulatory agencies.

This seller/doer position requires a minimum of eighteen years’ experience in natural resources fieldwork, environmental consulting, regulatory compliance, and technical leadership in the AEC industry or a related field within the PNW.  The successful candidate will manage projects and provide senior technical expertise in ecological assessments, habitat restoration, complex project permitting strategies, methodology improvement, and regulatory compliance.  They will provide high-level technical leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentorship. Additional responsibilities include pursuing and securing business opportunities through networking, marketing, and client referrals.

Based in Dudek’s Portland or Seattle office, this role will involve travel throughout the region for project-related assignments.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Builds strong relationships with clients, including key decision makers and agency representatives working to proactively identify and pursue project opportunities within the PNW region.
• Leads proposals for projects of varying complexity, scopes of work, budgets, and bids for new projects.
• Manage and oversee projects from initiation through completion, ensuring timely execution and optimal efficiency.
• Develops and refines methodologies for ecological assessments, conservation planning, and ecological research.
• Leads and provides natural resources oversight on projects of every size, from large-scale, multidisciplinary environmental projects to small, scoping-level risk assessments, ensuring compliance with regulations and industry standards.
• Advises on complex permitting and compliance issues related to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Oregon’s Removal/Fill Law, Washington’s Shoreline Management Act (SMA) and Growth Management Act (GMA), Washington Department of Ecology processes, and other environmental regulations.
• Works with engineers, planners, and regulatory agencies to integrate ecological considerations into projects.
• Represents the company in regulatory hearings and discussions, client meetings, conferences, and public forums, including working knowledge about other disciplines within the company.
• Stays informed on changing regulatory requirements such as Clean Water Act and ESA listing updates.
• Providing management support and fostering the career growth of junior-level environmental staff.
• Leading fieldwork efforts (aquatic resource, habitat, and vegetation surveys) in WA and OR following state and federal protocols.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience: 18+ years’ experience in natural resources fieldwork, environmental consulting, regulatory compliance, and technical leadership in natural resource management or a related field.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Expert knowledge of the biology, ecology, and restoration practices of the PNW.
• Knowledge of state (WA and OR) and federal permitting programs such as the Clean Water Act and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) ⁴⁰⁴⁄₄₀₁ wetland permitting process.
• Writing skills, proposal and budget development, project management, and client development experience.
• Maintains and develops good professional relationships with clients and regional agency staff.
• Demonstrated experience working successfully in a team environment, interested in mentoring junior staff and team building
• Demonstrated stakeholder (i.e., client, regulatory official, community, and subcontractor) relationship skills
• Ability to provide and receive positive and constructive feedback.
• Ability to resolve conflict through collaboration and communication
• Practice with organized workflows and meeting deliverable timelines.
• Possesses a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by first day of employment.
• Ability to succeed in a consulting environment, handling multiple project assignments, meeting strict deadlines, and traveling to client facilities as needed
• Ability to lead aquatic resource surveys, requiring strong knowledge of PNW vegetation, soils, wetland community types, and stream characteristics
• Native plant identification experience
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by the first day of employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• WSDOT Biological Author Certification
• ODOT Consultant Qualification for Biological Assessments
• Experience as a project manager for large, complex projects.
• Expertise in biological impact analysis, habitat conservation planning, and environmental permitting across jurisdictions and regulatory agency interests.
• Proficiency in geographic information systems (GIS), statistical analysis, and environmental modeling.
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills for preparing reports and delivering findings.
• Certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist from the Society of Wetland Scientists
• Other relevant certifications such as Certified Ecologist or Certified Wildlife Biologists are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams in the field and in document production, provide strategic guidance, and effectively communicate with regulatory agencies, clients, and interested parties.

Compensation: $120,000-$160,000 annually*

*Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment.

Working Conditions Environment

• This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.
• This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following:

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting.
• Outdoor activity may involve walking/trekking in uneven terrain over long distances in extreme weather conditions for extended periods of time. Overnight travel may be required in some cases
• This job requires attending meetings, both in person and virtually, and speaking on the phone with government agency representatives, members of the public, and others.
• Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination.

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status)in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek’s commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action.

Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.