Environmental Specialist

DEA's Portland, OR office is seeking anEnvironmental Specialist in our Water and Environment Business Unit's Environmental Planning and Compliance practice to join DEA's community of scientists, Environmental Specialists and planners.
DEA's Environmental Planning and Compliance practice specializes in natural resources management; local, state, and federal environmental permitting; Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act (ESA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance, and land use and environmental planning. DEA works throughout Oregon and the western United States on interesting and challenging projects with
public and private clients, including local municipalities, counties, ports, and transportation agencies, as well as utilities and renewal energy developers. Opportunities may exist to work on projects beyond the Oregon region where DEA has offices in Washington, California, Idaho, Colorado, and Utah.
As an employee-owned company, DEA is dedicated to the well-being and success of our staff. DEA's EP&C practice includes a team of varied subject matter experts that enjoy working together to collaborate on effective environmental solutions and strategies. Our team also enjoys a culture of community fostered by DEA's cultural drivers. At DEA, work/life balance is respected and supported through a variety of means, including hybrid and flexible work schedules.
The Environmental Specialist position will participate in the wide variety of environmental planning and compliance projects that DEA works on, with a particular focus on serving as a task lead for environmental permitting efforts, assisting Project Managers with project management efforts, and preparing environmental permit applications, permitting strategies and technical documents. The selected candidate will have a proven record of maintaining positive client and/or project team relationships.
Responsibilities:

• Lead project tasks such as the preparation of environmental permitting documentation, including state and federal removal-fill permit applications, permitting strategies and technical documents such as Biological Assessments and No Effect memos to support ESA consultation, as well as NEPA-related documentation
• Conduct desktop research, site visits/surveys and analysis of natural resources, and document the results in technical memos or reports
• Assist in the management of environmental permitting efforts, including internal coordination with Environmental Specialists, planners, engineers, and GIS analysts on project documentation
• Review environmental documents and deliverables for compliance with contractual requirements as part of DEA's Quality Management standards
• Coordinate externally with clients and natural resources and permitting agencies
• Prepare scopes of work, budget estimates and project schedules for task and project completion
• Support marketing efforts throughout the region, including business development, client outreach, preparation of proposals, participation in project interviews and presentations, and attendance at conferences

• Excellent technical writing skills and strong verbal communication skills
• Task or project management experience with documented success in project delivery
• Knowledge of, and experience with, state and federal environmental regulations and guidance
• Experience preparing NEPA documentation and supporting technical reports following regulatory guidelines
• Knowledge of, and experience using, GIS a plus
• Ability to work in a highly flexible, team-oriented environment
• Enthusiasm in providing high-quality customer service
• Demonstrated record of taking initiative, resolving problems and identifying improved procedures to ensure projects are completed successfully and client needs are met
• Interest in continuing to learn new skills and engage in a variety of project types

• Bachelor's degree in biology, environmental science, or a related field, or master's degree in environmental sciences with bachelor's in an unrelated field
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel, Outlook

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life Insurance
• Health Savings and Lifestyle Spending Account with employer contribution
• Support for continuing education and training opportunities
• Paid Time Off (PTO)/Holiday Pay
• 401k and Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• Flexible 9/80 (every other Friday off) work schedule available
• Holistic Wellbeing Program with a focus on physical, emotional, financial, career and community health
• Opportunity for growth with support and mentoring to help with professional goals