Subject Matter Expert - NEPA & CEQA

Subject Matter Expert - NEPA & CEQA

California - Remote;
Oregon - Remote;
Washington - Remote

We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company.

We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.

At Olsson, we help our clients navigate complex regulatory landscapes with ease. We ensure proactive compliance with key environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Our approach and use of the latest and best methods help clients achieve their project goals while protecting our natural resources.

As a NEPA & CEQA Subject Matter Expert, you will serve as a trusted advisor responsible for elevating the firm’s environmental infrastructure discipline. This role emphasizes technical excellence, mentorship, regulatory expertise, and high-level review of environmental deliverables. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, advance innovative approaches, and ensure the highest standards of quality across environmental planning, permitting, and biological resource services. The Subject Matter Expert provides strategic direction on environmental design, analysis, and compliance activities across the firm, with a focus on technical performance, innovation, and regulatory rigor.

• Serve as a firmwide subject matter expert, providing internal and external leadership on environmental compliance, permitting, biological resources, NEPA/CEQA documentation, and marine species protection.
• Provide strategic direction and consultation to project teams and clients on complex environmental issues, regulatory pathways, and technical methodologies.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations, including NEPA, CEQA, ESA, CWA and other applicable biological and ecological requirements. Prepare and review environmental analyses, technical reports, and permitting documentation.
• Maintain a strong external reputation as an industry leader, contributing to the profession through publications, conference presentations, and participation in scientific or regulatory working groups.
• Promote efficiencies and uphold quality standards, ensuring environmental deliverables meet the highest levels of scientific rigor and regulatory defensibility.
• Research and analyze environmental data, trends, and emerging technologies, providing insights and recommendations related to biological resources, habitat conservation, and environmental planning.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, scientific partners, and industry organizations, to stay informed of evolving policies and opportunities for collaboration.
• Represent the firm in professional organizations, advisory committees, or regulatory forums to elevate both the environmental discipline and the firm’s visibility.
• Lead and manage environmental projects from early planning through implementation, including scoping, technical strategy, budgeting, scheduling, and quality oversight.
• Mentor and develop staff, fostering technical growth, scientific excellence, and consistency across environmental practice areas.

You are passionate about:

• Working collaboratively with others.
• Having ownership in the work you do.
• Using your talents to positively affect communities.

You bring to the team:

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to contribute and work well on a team.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, environmental policy, natural resource management, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in environmental consulting, including permitting and…