Environmental Permitting Specialist

Environmental Permitting Specialist

Location: Portland, OR

Job Type: Full-time

Anchor QEA is seeking a full‑time Environmental Planner / Permitting Specialist to support the acquisition of regulatory permits and approvals for waterfront construction and redevelopment, dredging, and natural area restoration projects primarily located in Washington and Oregon. The role involves completing permit applications, developing and reviewing environmental studies, coordinating with team members for necessary inputs such as engineering design drawings, GIS analysis, and technical editing review, helping develop public involvement and stakeholder engagement plans, and performing quality‑control review of work products.

• Prepare federal, state, and local regulatory permit applications and supporting documents for projects in Washington and/or Oregon.
• Review relevant regulatory codes and prepare shorelines and critical areas studies, natural and built environment documentation, Growth Management Act documentation, Shoreline Management Act documentation, and technical discipline reports and studies supporting environmental reviews under the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and/or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• Respond to agency, tribal, and public comments and questions on permit applications or other environmental documentation.
• Participate in client meetings, public meetings, stakeholder work groups, fieldwork, or site visits; travel is predominantly local.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience, preferably in consulting.
• Background in environmental regulations with experience in ecological research or land use analysis.
• Understanding of the permitting processes in Washington and/or Oregon.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple concurrent projects/tasks, working both in teams and independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to excel in a fast‑paced, client‑service‑oriented environment.
• Proven ability to work across disciplines internally and externally.

• Salary Range: $89,610 – $101,000
• Annual Bonus
• Other potential bonus types:
  Billable Time Bonus, Spot Bonus, Milestone Anniversary Bonus, Professional License/Certification Bonus, Peer‑reviewed Publication Bonus, Employee Referral Bonus.

• Healthcare:
  Medical, dental, vision, basic life and AD&D insurance
• Paid Company and Floating Holidays: 7 paid company and 2 floating holidays annually
• Vacation: 2 weeks accrued paid vacation based on length of service (may vary by level)
• Sick and Safe Time: 80 hours annually
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with an employer match
• Further information on benefits:

We work hard to embrace diversity and inclusion. Anchor QEA is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment based on age, race, creed, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a comprehensive background check.