Environmental Planner/Permitting Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Founded in 1981, AKRF is an award-winning consulting firm with 300 professionals bringing the value of strategic thinking to our land development, transportation, energy, and water clients. We serve our clients through a commitment to technical excellence across our portfolio of professional services, while always acting with integrity and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and environmental stewardship. Offices are located throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Connecticut, and the company completes projects around the country. 

Professionals join and remain at AKRF for our values that balances signature projects with social impact initiatives, charitable giving, and flexibility that’s important to our people. Most importantly, you can be yourself at AKRF. Our firm fosters a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where employees are respected and valued in honor of their identities and bring their whole self to work. We strive to deliver on this promise every day. 

Our New Jersey-based energy sector practice specializes in multimedia licensing, design, and compliance services for infrastructure development projects, including transmission and distribution facilities, offshore wind projects, battery energy storage systems, solar and fuel cell projects, conventional power plants, nuclear plants, and natural gas pipelines.

The Energy Department at AKRF is seeking an Environmental Planner/ Permitting Specialist to continue investing in the growth and success of our energy practice. Our office is located in Mount Laurel New Jersey. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Preparing scientific reports, permit application documents, environmental impact assessments, and compliance evaluations.
• Review and interpret land development and environmental regulations, e.g., local zoning codes, NJDEP/NYSDEC environmental regulations, etc. 
• Assist in field surveys and data collection efforts such as land use inventories, wetland delineations, or rare species surveys.
• Collect, identify, and compile environmental data from multiple sources for project-related research, surveys, and reports and applications.
• Use topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS data, and other visualization tools to determine environmental site impact, land use and other site characteristics.
• Prepare visualizations such as tables, charts, models, infographics, and figures for the interpretation or presentation of data, findings, or analyses.
• Assist with preparing land use applications and representing clients in the zoning entitlement process with local jurisdictions.
• Participate in public involvement and consensus-building meetings in support of client project work.
• Prepare drafts of technical memos, meeting minutes, transmittals, presentations, and other written materials summarizing research with findings and conclusions.
• Assist in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of facts and data obtained during field and site investigations
• Assist with reading, interpreting, composing, and reviewing Planning Reports, Categorical Exclusions, EA’s, EISs, and other technical documents.
• Work with cross-functional teams in executing project work.

Essential Requirements :

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental resources, environmental planning, natural resources, environmental engineering, and/or a related field.
• 0 to 3 years of experience (energy sector).
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Ability to take ownership of job responsibilities and see them through completion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft business software including Word, Excel, and Teams.
• Ability to be flexible, learn quickly, and work as part of a project team.
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Familiarity with computer aided drafting and Geographic Information System software is a plus.
• Position will entail occasional field work, with the potential for overnight travel ranging from several days to a week. 

Compensation will range from $63K-$73K, commensurate with experience.

AKRF enforces a policy of equal employment opportunity in our daily operations. The firm has a demonstrated history of hiring, training, developing, promoting and retaining minority group members and women. All employment-related decisions are based solely on relevant criteria and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual identity, caregiver status, military/veteran status or citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.