Environmental Permitting Project Manager

Land Use Permitting Specialist

BEM Systems, LLC (BEM) provides comprehensive environmental consulting services for a diversity of projects and clients, ranging from federal, state, and local government to small businesses and single-family homeowners. We are a mid-sized firm, which means the selected candidate will have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully within a team-oriented environment while gaining invaluable exposure to the variety of services that make up the environmental consulting industry. The Land Use Permitting Specialist will perform an interdisciplinary role focused on technical proficiency and project/task management.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the preparation of work products, including land use permit applications, natural resource studies, development planning studies, and environmental assessments. The candidate must have strong written and oral communication skills, sharp attention to detail, self-motivation, and demonstrated proficiency with the technical and project/task management skills required for the role.

Projects are primarily located in the New Jersey/New York/Philadelphia metro region. This is a flexible hybrid position; however, some office time, in-person meetings, and site visits are required. The selected candidate will be based out of our New Jersey office.

We are seeking candidates with experience navigating the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permitting processes and regulations, including the NJDEP Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act Rules, NJDEP Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules, NJDEP Coastal Zone Management Rules, and the Nationwide and Individual Permit requirements under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Sections 9 and 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act. A significant portion of our work is in the infrastructure, facilities, and construction industries. The candidate will be assigned projects/tasks related to preparation of technical reports, specifications, reviewing construction plans, conducting feasibility studies, preparing permit applications, and interpreting federal, state and local agency regulations. Project/task management includes managing a budget, invoices, schedule, client expectations, sub-consultants, and support staff who might be required to deliver the scope of work.

Preferred candidates will have experience performing environmental assessments according to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), New Jersey Executive Order No. 215 (EO215), New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (NYSEQRA), and/or New York City Environmental Quality Review (NYCEQR) processes.

Experience leading wetlands delineations and/or conducting threatened and endangered species habitat assessments is a plus. Experience with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), NJ Pinelands Commission (Pinelands), Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission (DRCC), New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), and/or New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), etc., is also a plus.

Principal Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Works with clients and other industry disciplines to perform technical analyses and prepare deliverables on budget and on schedule.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Prepares professional reports and permit applications with excellent attention to detail.
• Participates in proposal preparation and pursuit of new projects.
• Organizes and leads agency meetings.
• Manages project/task budgets, invoices, schedules, client expectations, sub-consultants, and support staff who might be required to deliver the scope of work.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's or higher in Urban Planning, Biology, Environmental Science, Engineering, Geology, Natural Resources Management, or related field.
• 7-12 years of relevant experience in preparation of reports, regulatory constraints analysis, permit applications, and environmental assessments focused primarily on NJDEP, USACE, NEPA, and EO215 requirements.
• Experience leading wetlands delineations and/or conducting threatened and endangered species habitat assessments is a plus.

Abilities and Skills:

• Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements in New Jersey related to waters, flood hazard areas, wetlands, coastal areas, land use, threatened and endangered species, and permitting/approvals.
• Experience with the NEPA, EO215, NYSEQR, and/or NYCEQR environmental review processes and associated rules and regulations for capital projects.
• Detail oriented, organized, and a team player with a strong focus on quality and client service.
• Excellent written, oral, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency reviewing and interpreting environmental regulations.
• This is a flexible hybrid position; however, some office time, in-person meetings, and site visits are required. The selected candidate will be based out of our New Jersey office.
• Field experience with wetlands, riparian zones, T&E studies, construction oversight, etc., is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits:

BEM offers a competitive compensation package with a starting annual salary, plus bonus, based upon the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. BEM also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes participation in our matching 401(k) Savings Plan along with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage. As a member of our team, BEM provides excellent opportunities for long-term career growth and future skills development including extensive training opportunities and a tuition reimbursement program.