Senior Environmental Permitting Specialist

Job Description

Fluor is seeking candidates for opportunities within our Program Delivery Support (PDS) team, working alongside the California High-Speed Rail Authority, to provide program delivery and program management services for one of the largest planned infrastructure projects in the U.S.

The system will connect the 500-mile stretch between the Los Angeles region with the San Francisco Bay Area, with up to 24 stations. The first phase of the program is currently under construction in California’s Central Valley.

Under the general direction of the Program Delivery Support (PDS) Assistant Manager and California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Director of Environmental Services, the Senior Permitting Specialist oversees and manages regulatory permitting and environmental compliance for the Authority’s projects in the Central Valley.

The Senior Permitting Specialist manages regulatory permitting under a variety of federal and state environmental laws of one or more construction packages across 171 miles in the Central Valley. From design and permit application to project implementation and construction compliance, the Senior Permitting Specialist manages the delivery of permit and permit amendment applications according to the Authority’s standards, supervises the preparation and submittal of compliance documentation to Authority leadership and regulatory agencies, and interfaces with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

Job Duties:
• Provides management and oversight in the preparation of state and federal permit applications, review and analysis of NEPA and CEQA documents, compensatory mitigation procurement, and construction-phase environmental compliance in the Central Valley
• Supports the Authority in the strategic development, preparation, and acquisition of regulatory permits and approvals, and amendments thereto, under sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 7 of the federal Endangered Species Act, Section 2081 of the California Endangered Species Act, and Section 1600 of the California Fish and Game Code, among others
• Reviews compliance documentation and reports
• Supports the Authority’s procurement of compensatory mitigation by evaluating compensatory mitigation requirements, analyzing market availability, preparing procurement documents, and managing mitigation contracts
• Assist with construction-phase compliance including responding to potential noncompliance events, regulatory agency inquires and request, and reporting.
• Retrieves data and prepares reporting using the Authority’s proprietary database management application

Basic Job Requirements

• Accredited four (4) year degree in biology, environmental science or global equivalent in applicable field of study and ten (10) years of work-related experience or a combination of education and directly related experience equal to fourteen (14) years if non-degreed

Other Job Requirements

• Experience with progressively greater responsibility in the field of regulatory permitting and environmental and permitting compliance in California
• Experience with major environmental laws including CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act, state and federal endangered species acts, Porter-Cologne, and lake/streambed alteration agreements
• Experience working on large, complex programs and projects
• Exceptional analytical, verbal, and writing skills
• Able to demonstrate a high level of organizational ability
• Capable of pivoting and reprioritizing to meet changing program needs and deadlines
• Able to work independently
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology, environmental science, or a related field
• Experience with large-scale compensatory mitigation planning and procurement
• Experience implementing wildlife connectivity projects
• Experience in constructions compliance tracking, documentation, and reporting
• Experience with design-build contracting and construction processes

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