Environmental Planning and Permitting Specialist – Glen Allen, VA (Hybrid)

The Opportunity:

Tetra Tech is adding an Environmental Planning and Permitting Specialist to support our growing Energy and Environmental Practice throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

The successful candidate will support environmental planning, permitting, environmental due diligence, and regulatory compliance activities associated with renewable energy, electric transmission, substations, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and other utility infrastructure projects.

This position offers an opportunity to work alongside experienced environmental planners, permitting specialists, and project managers while developing expertise in permit strategy development, environmental constraints analysis, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), and environmental permitting across multiple jurisdictions.

Location: Glen Allen, Virginia (Richmond area)

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Remote and Office)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Why Tetra Tech:

At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world’s most complex challenges.  Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world.  For over 50 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.  Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development.  Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.

Your Impact:

Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference.  Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential – join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.

Essential Job Functions:

• Support environmental planning and permitting efforts for energy, utility, and infrastructure development projects.
• Develop and maintain project permit matrices, permitting schedules, and regulatory tracking tools.
• Conduct environmental constraints analyses and identify permitting risks, schedule impacts, and regulatory requirements during project development.
• Conduct environmental due diligence activities, including ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessments.
• Perform desktop environmental reviews using GIS, public databases, aerial imagery, and environmental resource mapping.
• Research federal, state, and local permitting requirements and prepare permit application packages.
• Coordinate with project managers, environmental scientists, engineers, and subject matter experts to support project development.
• Assist in preparing environmental reports, technical memoranda, permit matrices, agency correspondence, and permitting strategies.
• Identify environmental constraints associated with wetlands, streams, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, hazardous materials, floodplains, and land use restrictions.
• Support agency coordination and permit application submissions.
• Assist in evaluating permitting pathways, regulatory schedules, and project approval timelines.
• Participate in occasional site visits and field investigations.
• Maintain project documentation and ensure completion of deliverables consistent with quality standards.
• Conduct activities in accordance with internal procedures, applicable legislation, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Maintain current professional and technical knowledge through continuous professional development.
• Work safely at all times and report health and safety incidents and concerns in accordance with company procedures.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Geography, Natural Resources, Environmental Policy, Urban Planning, Geology, or a related discipline.
• 2–5 years of relevant experience in environmental consulting, permitting, planning, environmental compliance, or a related field.
• Understanding of environmental permitting and regulatory compliance processes.
• Experience compiling environmental data and preparing technical reports.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and technical writing skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record without restrictions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing permitting matrices, permit registers, compliance trackers, or regulatory schedules.
• Experience conducting environmental due diligence reviews and supporting ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessments.
• Experience conducting project critical impacts analyses.
• Familiarity with environmental constraints analyses for renewable energy, transmission, or utility infrastructure projects.
• Experience using ArcGIS or GIS-based environmental screening tools.

Work Environment and Travel

• Hybrid work arrangement associated with the Glen Allen, Virginia office.
• Infrequent travel to project sites, client meetings, regulatory agency meetings, and public outreach events.
• Occasional site visits and field investigations as project needs require.

Life at Tetra Tech:

The perks of working at Tetra Tech include:

• Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits.  https://www.tetratech.com/careers/life-at-tetra-tech/

• Merit-based financial rewards.

• Flexibility and company-wide commitment to work/life balance.

• Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees.

• Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth. 

A pre-employment drug screen in compliance with federal regulations is required, along with a physical if needed.

Compensation:

Pay commensurate with experience.

Pay Range: $60,000-$80,000 annually

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience and demonstrated work experience in the above role; skills, certifications, and competencies that align to the specified role; geographic location; and education, as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

At Tetra Tech, health and safety play a vital role in our success. Tetra Tech’s employees work together to comply with all applicable health & safety practices and protocols, including public health orders and regulations that are mandated by local, state, provincial, federal, international authorities, and clients.