Permitting Specialist - Natural Resources & Resilience

A respected civil and environmental engineering firm is seeking a Permitting Specialist – Natural Resources & Resilience to join their team in New Haven, CT (or Hartford, CT). This role involves interpreting and applying regulatory requirements, preparing permit applications, conducting natural resource assessments, and mentoring junior staff. The position supports a range of environmental projects focused on ecological protection and sustainable development.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local regulatory requirements for environmental permitting in New England, with emphasis on Connecticut.
• Prepare and submit permit applications for coastal and inland projects, ensuring compliance with relevant state and federal programs and guidelines.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies at local, state, and federal levels to facilitate project approvals and ensure ongoing compliance.
• Conduct and oversee wetland delineations, ecological assessments, and habitat evaluations for coastal and inland sites.
• Lead field surveys and inventories for protected species, invasive species, and native plant identification.
• Mentor junior staff by guiding fieldwork, permitting tasks, data analysis, and report preparation.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and provide permitting support for various environmental and engineering projects.
• Contribute to projects related to coastal and inland development planning, energy infrastructure, restoration, climate resilience, flood management, and dam repair or removal.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, environmental science, or a related field.
• 5–10 years of experience in natural resource permitting, with strong knowledge of regulatory requirements in Connecticut and New England.
• Proven experience working with state programs and securing permits through coordination with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Qualified wetlands professional with experience conducting wetland delineations in Connecticut and other New England states.
• Expertise in ecological and impact assessments, including surveys for protected species, invasive plants, and habitat assessments.
• Familiarity with NEPA and CEPA processes; experience with coastal zone management and endangered species coordination is beneficial.
• Ability to mentor and guide junior staff.
• Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficiency in GIS, Remote Sensing, or similar tools to support data analysis and decision-making for permitting and resource impact assessments.
• Professional Wetland Scientist and qualified soil scientist certifications are strongly preferred.

• Flexible work schedule options to support work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
• Access to online courses, conferences, and learning resources for continued professional development.
• Generous paid time off.
• Clear paths for career advancement and opportunities to take on new challenges.
• Engaging team culture with regular activities and team-building opportunities.

Additional Information:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• All offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check.
• The employer is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the Federal e-Verify program.