Regulatory & Permitting Specialist

Do you want to work on large, complex projects that require strategic thinking and problem solving? Do you enjoy working to find solutions that satisfy clients and stakeholders? Are you excited to help innovative projects move through the environmental compliance process? Do you have a thorough knowledge of the southern California ecological regulatory environment?

Great Ecology is looking for a natural resource-focused Regulatory & Permitting Specialist to join an interdisciplinary team of scientists and landscape architects working on restoration and natural resource management projects throughout the United States. This position is for a mid-career to senior-level staff member in our San Diego office, but will assist with regulatory document preparation, project management, and business development company-wide.

Additional Information

This position will include mostly in-office work, with occasional opportunities for fieldwork. The candidate selected for this position will provide technical review of regulatory submittals, mentor junior staff, participate in business development, and support the executive management team. The selected applicant must live within commuting distance of San Diego or be willing to relocate within one month of accepting the position.

The person who fills this position will be classified as an exempt employee.

About Great Ecology

Great Ecology is a leading ecological consulting firm focused on creatively solving ecological problems. Our mission is to help repair the world through ecology and design and expand the ecological horizon for leading corporations and public agencies. The Great Ecology team works with a wide range of public and private clients to increase the ecological and economic value of developed, degraded, contaminated, and underutilized sites.

We work together in a collaborative environment that fosters innovation in science and design while encouraging individual initiative, creativity, and skill development. Great Ecology provides opportunities to work in a variety of ecosystems and on projects throughout the United States.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Great Ecology

At Great Ecology, we know working toward access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is multifaceted and that meaningful change requires action.

We strive to create a workplace where people feel their humanity is recognized, welcomed, and appreciated. At Great Ecology, this means dedicating resources to maintain and improve upon access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace and in our interactions with others. We know that honoring people’s diverse experiences, views, and identities helps foster trust which can lead to innovation, successful collaboration, and greater resilience both within the workplace and within communities.

But our work doesn’t end there.

As an ecological consulting and landscape design firm, we are engaged with rehabilitating ecosystems. For us, this means working to acknowledge and understand the ways cultural, economic, and political systems alter the natural world. We create strategies to restore biodiversity and improve the ecological function of landscapes through our technical knowledge about how people have impacted, and been impacted by, ecosystems. As part of our work, we seek to create opportunities for all people to: foster a sense of belonging, meaningfully interact with the world around them, and strengthen connection to place.

What We Offer You

In addition to getting to work with a dynamic team and on projects throughout the United States that will grow your experience, and your career, Great Ecology offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Paid vacation
• Eight paid holidays
• Paid time off for sickness
• Paid time off for jury duty
• Bereavement leave
• Medical, vision, and dental plan options
• 401K matching
• Professional Development planning and opportunities
• A charitable donation to the nonprofit of your choice on your work anniversary

Required Skills & Experience Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements for consideration:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, regional planning, environmental science, or related field (a degree may be substituted for years of experience);
• At least five years of experience leading development of permit applications, including permit application development for US Army Corps of Engineers (e.g., 401, 404, NWP, Section 10); US Fish and Wildlife (e.g., Incidental Take); and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (e.g., CESA, ITP, LSA, HREA)
• Demonstrated experience navigating and managing acquisition of multiple permits from multiple regulatory agencies;
• Experience coordinating with regulators, particularly in California;
• Excellent organizational skills, time management, and ability to manage project budget and workloads; and
• Adaptable to working well both independently and in a team environment.

Preferred Skills & Experience (but not required) Preference may be given to applicants who provide these skills:

• Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Planning, Environmental Management or related field;
• Relationships with regulators in the South Pacific Division and/or the Los Angeles District of the US Army Corps of Engineers;
• Demonstrated experience with development of other California natural resource permits, such as those issued by State Water Board (e.g., SWPPP, NPDES);
• Demonstrated experience with the successful planning, coordination, preparation, and delivery of CEQA or NEPA documentation for projects that have an emphasis on natural resources;
• Demonstrated experience with preparing environmental impact assessments;
• Relevant professional certifications, such as Certified Ecologist (ESA) Professional Wetland Scientist (SWS), Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (SER), etc.;
• Thorough knowledge of environmental systems, including hydrology, soils, and/or geology, and how these impact ecosystems and habitat value;
• General knowledge of the flora and fauna of the western United States, with expertise in the native and adapted flora of desert and/or wetland ecosystems; and
• Demonstrated experience in networking with regional organizations.