Senior Environmental Planner (NEPA)

Essnova Solutions, Inc. is an award-winning, SBA 8(a) and HUBZone certified small business delivering innovative technology and professional services to federal, state, local, and commercial clients. Recognized for rapid growth and exceptional performance, Essnova is committed to empowering those who serve through relentless speed, efficiency, and bold innovation. Our recent prime contract awards and strong reputation in federal missions make us a trusted partner for complex environmental and geospatial projects.

As an Environmental Policy Analyst, you will play a critical role in supporting federal land management planning efforts for the U.S. Forest Service. You will leverage your expertise in environmental policy and NEPA compliance to guide interdisciplinary teams, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and ensure regulatory adherence across large-scale projects. This position offers the opportunity to impact national and regional land management initiatives while collaborating with senior leadership and diverse project teams.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the preparation, coordination, and revision of National Forest System land management plans and NEPA documents, ensuring compliance with the Northwest Forest Plan and Forest Service policies.
• Providing expert policy analysis and guidance on federal land management planning, NEPA scoping, alternatives development, and impact analysis to support interdisciplinary planning teams.
• Conducting rigorous environmental analyses and policy reviews for large-scale, regional or national land management projects, including writing, editing, and integrating findings into planning documents and decision packets.
• Serving as a subject-matter advisor to higher management and project teams on policy interpretation, Forest Service planning requirements, and NEPA documentation, facilitating cross-agency and stakeholder coordination.
• Ensuring citizen engagement and stakeholder communication by preparing briefings, public notices, responses to comments, and documentation that supports transparent decision-making and regulatory compliance.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• 10+ years of experience in federal land management, environmental analysis, policy, and NEPA-related work
• Specialized experience with land management planning on National Forest System lands
• Experience advising or participating on interdisciplinary teams conducting land management planning and environmental analysis
• Experience supporting large-scale regional or national land management projects
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, ArcGIS, and Adobe/PDF editing tools
• Solid knowledge of NEPA and experience writing/editing NEPA documents
• Expertise in Forest Service land management planning policy and writing/editing land management plans
• Experience applying the Forest Service land management planning process (e.g., 36 CFR 219 planning rule)
• Professional proficiency in English
• U.S. citizenship (required for government contract)
• Experience preparing public-facing NEPA/planning materials, including public notices and responses to public comments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a policy-related field
• Knowledge of the Northwest Forest Plan and/or experience working in the Northwest Forest Plan area

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off + federal holidays
• Fast-track growth in a high-accountability culture

Why Essnova

• Rapidly growing, innovation-focused GovCon firm
• High-ownership environment where your wins matter
• Direct access to leadership, zero bureaucracy
• Culture built on speed, agility, and results