ACC Environmental Consultants

Lead enterprise-level planning initiatives, develop innovative permitting strategies, and mentor future leaders in environmental planning. | Extensive experience in environmental planning, permitting, and regulatory frameworks, with proven leadership in strategic growth and project management. | About the opportunity SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Senior Technical Director for Planning to lead the continued growth, innovation, and technical excellence of our planning practice. SWCA’s planning practice is comprehensive and encompasses federal, state, and local planning and permitting. Broad categories include the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), state environmental policy acts and permitting and local and county planning and permitting. Specific planning examples include (but are not limited to) federal land use plans, recreation plans, open-space plans, master development plans, and community wildfire plans. SWCA’s planning program is expanding to comprehensively meet the increased demand for streamlined and effective planning and permitting in all land use management sectors. The Senior Technical Director for Planning will provide enterprise-level leadership in advancing SWCA’s planning practice, including identifying and mentoring SWCA’s future planning leaders, establishing a program for staff development and delivery excellence, and supporting strategic growth in planning work across our offices, clients, and business lines. This position will ensure exemplary technical quality, foster innovation in methodologies and tools, and position SWCA as an industry leader in planning services. The selected individual will be an experienced leader with: • recognized project planning and permitting expertise involving regulatory compliance and associated interdisciplinary analysis and disclosure • demonstrated experience developing innovative permitting strategies, processes, technologies, etc. that result in continually improving permitting and planning practices The Director will report to one of SWCA’s Vice Presidents of Scientific and Technical Services. This is a full-time, regular status, salaried position, eligible to work in any of our offices, or 100% distributed in the domestic US. It is expec ted that travel will be between 10-20% of the time. Application deadline: The position will close on 2.26.2026 at 5:00 PM PST. SWCA is a growing, 1,800 staff, 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. What you will accomplish Responsibilities Strategic Technical Leadership (60%) • Lead long-range strategic planning and implementation for the national planning practice, developing enterprise-level initiatives that expand, diversify, and innovate technical service offerings. • Identify and leverage emerging scientific, regulatory, and technological trends to position SWCA as an industry leader in federal, state and local planning; build and participate in external scientific/professional networks and ensure continuous internal dissemination of new knowledge. • Serve as the enterprise technical leader and mentor for the national planning practice, setting the standard for excellence, innovation, and state-of-the art methodologies and tools. • Drive consistency, scalability, and integration of technical approaches across geographies; lead cross-company initiatives in partnership with regional and technical leaders. • Build and elevate the next tier of technical leadership by delegating planning practice group functions (e.g., resource hubs, tools, communications) to regional planning directors and planning practice leads. • Align practice strategies with other company leaders including operations, client services, talent acquisition, and technology leaders to develop shared key performance indicators (KPIs) and integrated solutions that support enterprise objectives. • Partner with the Senior Quality Director to establish discipline-specific quality standards and partner with operational leaders to ensure consistent adoption across the company. • Work with leaders in operations and recruiting to anticipate future needs and to implement a scalable technical talent pipeline to meet those needs. This will include working with operations to identify and mentor internal staff for career progression, as well as working with talent acquisition to recruit external staff that best integrate with SWCA’s mission and culture. • Serve as an ambassador for SWCA’s Safety Culture and implementation. Strategic Project Work (20%) & Business Development (20%) • Be forward-looking in identifying market trends, changing regulatory environment, and effective tools for capturing and executing on projects. Anticipate how the planning program will market and deliver in the upcoming 3-5 years or beyond as appropriate. • Lead or oversee planning projects of regional or national importance, providing technical direction and mentoring to strengthen project teams and practice capabilities. • Partner with leaders across SWCA to ensure enterprise-level quality, consistency of technical approaches, and integration of best practices into project deliverables. • Serve as a senior subject matter expert on strategic, complex, and innovative planning and/or permitting projects across multiple geographies, ensuring technical excellence, regulatory alignment, and enterprise value. • Represent SWCA as a thought leader at industry professional forums and client meetings to strengthen visibility, influence, and strategic partnerships. • Collaborate closely with Client Services and other business development leaders within SWCA to grow, diversify, and expand planning services in target markets and geographies, ensuring alignment between client needs, practice strategy, and enterprise priorities. • Identify and capitalize on market, regulatory, scientific, and technological trends to shape new planning resource service offerings and guide technical approach for high-value pursuits. • Serve as Technical Client Manager for key accounts to foster a client-focused environment. Experience and qualifications for success Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree or above (or equivalent experience) in engineering, biology, ecology, environmental science, land use planning, or a related natural or human resource discipline. • Minimum of 10 years of progressive responsible experience in environmental consulting, resource management, and/or interdisciplinary projects with a strong focus on planning and/or permitting, including increasing technical leadership and project and technical practice management. • Demonstrated success addressing complex interdisciplinary issues across multiple agencies, geographies, and sectors. • Diverse experience with one or more of the following: NEPA, state environmental policy acts (CEQA, MEPA, etc.), or state, or local permitting. • Proven ability to identify and capitalize on market, regulatory, and technological trends; demonstrated success in developing new business and leading high-value pursuits. • Strong financial and project management skills, including the ability to manage complex, interdisciplinary projects. • Recognized mentor with a track record of developing practitioners and supporting organizational succession planning. • Experience in collaborating with staff in strategic marketing and market expansion. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Prior experience working collaboratively across offices, regions, and cross-disciplinary teams at all levels of the organization. • Broad understanding of planning regulatory frameworks, technical methodologies, and emerging technologies. • Strong client-facing skills, including communication, relationship building, and strategic problem-solving. • Demonstrated experience communicating highly technical concepts to diverse audiences. • Proven ability to influence outcomes and lead through collaboration. 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 a 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. If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response. 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 USA-based position can expect a salary of $141,107/year to $185,200/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 (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), 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 experience 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.

Manage and grow environmental consulting projects, ensuring regulatory compliance and client satisfaction, while mentoring staff. | Minimum 10 years in environmental consulting with project management experience, familiarity with Midwest regulations, and specific certifications like Wetland Delineator. | About the opportunity SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Principal Project Manager to support our growing business in both the Rocky Mountain Front Range/Great Plains and other parts of the Midwest USA. This role is ideal for an experienced environmental professional who thrives in a dynamic consulting environment and is passionate about multidisciplinary project management. You will be responsible for pursuing project opportunities, managing clients and projects, directing multidisciplinary field studies, and mentoring staff. You will report into SWCA’s Denver (Broomfield) office and operations, and highly qualified individuals based remotely (= distributed) in the Front Range, Upper Plains or elsewhere in the Midwest are encouraged to apply. In this role, you will primarily assist clients with projects related to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Clean Water Act (CWA – especially Section 404), and other federal, state, and local environmental regulations. SWCA’s Front Range and Midwest teams serve a diverse range of industries, including transmission, energy generation, oil & gas, land development, state and local agencies, water resources, and federal projects. You will also be asked to mentor staff and be an Ambassador for SWCA’s safety and employee-ownership culture. This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits. While we prefer candidates based in Denver or Kansas, distributed employees will be considered for the right fit. The role requires up to 25% travel, primarily within the Front Range and Midwest, with occasional trips to Denver, CO for leadership meetings and relevant client meetings. Application Deadline: January 30, 2026. What you will accomplish • Develop, manage, and grow client relationships, leading business development efforts with both new and existing clients. • Expand SWCA’s presence by networking with clients, agencies, and industry organizations to grow the regional client base in a diversity of natural resource and cultural resources services. • Identify and assess sales opportunities, oversee proposal development, and provide strategic recommendations to leadership overseeing operations in the Rocky Mountain Front Range/Great Plains and other parts of the Midwest USA. • Lead and manage multidisciplinary projects, ensuring successful execution from initiation to completion. • Oversee the technical execution and financial performance of multidisciplinary projects, ensuring effective coordination with clients and regulatory agencies. • Proactively manage project scope, schedule, and budget to prevent cost overruns and ensure deliverables meet quality standards. • Provide technical oversight and prepare reports, including biological resources reports, biological assessments, wetland reports, National Environmental Policy Act documentation, and other natural resources project deliverables related to the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act (Section 404), and other regulatory, permitting, and compliance requirements. • Leads by example in both technical and soft skills, navigating client and team priorities to deliver projects that meet professional and oversight agency standards • Innovates standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. • Mentors staff for impactful influence, coaching others in technical excellence, leadership, and strategy, and also develops specialized programs and protocols. • Champions cross-disciplinary collaboration, working closely with project and operational teams to provide comprehensive technical leadership and support for regional and nationwide projects. • Represent SWCA at major regional and technical conferences. • Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety. Experience and qualifications for success Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Fish & Wildlife Science, or a related field. • Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental consulting, project management, and business development. • At least five (5) years of experience as a Project Manager, overseeing budgets, schedules, and project execution. • Proven experience in the Midwest USA, including familiarity with state-specific environmental regulations and permitting. • Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental laws (ESA, CWA, NEPA, etc.). • Experience with mitigation planning, NEPA compliance, threatened and endangered species, ecological assessments, stormwater and watershed management, and construction oversight including managing Environmental Inspectors. • Possess a Wetland Delineator certification. • Experience conducting environmental surveys, permitting, and field implementation for various projects. • Demonstrated ability to develop business relationships as a "seller/doer" in environmental consulting. Preferred Qualifications • Over twelve (12) to fifteen (15) years of relevant industry experience, especially working for consulting firms. • At least seven (7) to ten (10) years of experience as a Project Manager, overseeing budgets, schedules, and project execution. • An existing client base and established industry connections. • Deep expertise in Clean Water Act, Section 404, and wetlands. • Previous experience working with and managing transmission, oil/gas, and renewable energy generation clients and projects. SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full spectrum of environmental services. 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. If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response. 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 Denver-based position can expect an annual salary of $115,810/year to $152,500/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 (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more. 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 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. #LI-EF1