Senior/Principal Project Manager - Hydropower

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants seeks a Senior or Principal Project Manager – Hydropower to support our growing Hydropower and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing team, led out of Salt Lake City, UT.

This position is responsible for providing hydropower and FERC planning, technical expertise, and leadership within Salt Lake City’s (SLC) Planning Department. The successful individual will provide hydropower and project management expertise and QA/QC for SWCA projects, supervise and mentor staff, support business development efforts, and ensure the delivery of technically excellent work from the Salt Lake City office and nationwide.

This is a regular (with benefits), full-time, salaried/exempt position reporting to our Salt Lake City, UT office. This position offers flexibility for either a hybrid or distributed (=remote) based work arrangement and candidates residing anywhere in the U.S. are encouraged to apply.

This requisition can be hired at either level:

- Senior Project Manager – Eight (8) years of relevant industry experience and expertise, including four (4) years of managing projects and some experience managing others.

- Principal Project Manager -- Ten (10) years of relevant industry experience and expertise, including five (5) years of managing projects and some experience managing others.

Please provide a cover letter along with your resume to be considered for this position .

Application Deadline : Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be scheduled as qualified candidates are identified. This position may close without prior notice once a strong candidate pool is established.

What you will accomplish

- Strategic Project Leadership: Strategically consults on and leads complex projects in pursuit of client objectives, overseeing the technical approach and ensuring quality assurance and quality control.

- Exemplary Leadership: Leads by example in both technical and soft skills, navigating client and team priorities to deliver projects that meet professional and oversight agency standards.

- Technical Expertise & Innovation: Innovates standards and practices to enhance the quality and efficiency of client projects and outcomes, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory standards. Serves as a go-to technical expert and consultant, providing novel project strategies and applying technical excellence that considers client needs to meet project requirements.

- Project Accountability: Continuously guides projects, executing accountability for the performance of projects or delegated tasks and ensuring that project milestones are met and outcomes align with SWCA’s values and client expectations. Assesses risks and implements strategies for problem-solving. Revises or suggests revisions to project scopes, schedules, and budgets as necessary to meet evolving project requirements and ensure successful outcomes.

- Business Growth & Innovation: Drives business growth and client success through technical excellence, innovation, and development of new methods and standards that advance SWCA's technical reputation. Contributes to SWCA's strategic planning.

- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Champions cross-disciplinary collaboration, working closely with specialists to provide comprehensive technical support for projects.

- Mentorship & Team Development: Mentors staff for impactful influence, coaching others in technical excellence, leadership, and strategy, and also develops specialized programs and protocols. Fosters team development and cross-training, modeling and promoting knowledge sharing and collaboration among team members to enhance project outcomes, as well as team depth and redundancy.

- Relationship Management: Establishes and grows effective consultative relationships with external and internal clients and/or agency regulators and industry partners (if applicable) to support successful projects.

- Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.

- Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job-Specific Responsibilities

- Manage multidisciplinary teams in the preparation of licensing documents (e.g., FERC, BOR); environmental assessments; environmental impact statements; implementation plans, technical studies; and federal, state, and local permitting documentation.

- Maintain current knowledge of FERC, NEPA, and related hydropower regulatory frameworks and communicate relevant updates to staff and clients.

- Provide technical oversight for hydropower licensing and environmental compliance deliverables, including applications, implementation plans, and permitting documentation.

- Collaborate with the Team Lead and other Leadership on technical resource needs, emerging project risks, regulatory developments, and delivery constraints that may affect strategic priorities.

- Work closely with the Team Lead and other Leadership to strengthen cross-office and cross-regional collaboration on hydropower services

- Direct and contribute to pursuit strategies and proposals by developing staffing approaches and project execution methodologies aligned with team capabilities and market conditions.

- Identify opportunities for repeat work and expanded services and support national positioning through client meetings, industry events, and strategic discussions.

- Lead complex hydropower licensing and environmental compliance projects, coordinating with clients and regulatory agencies to produce technically sound, compliant work products.

- Coordinate directly with clients and regulatory agencies to facilitate efficient project execution and maintain strong working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

Eight years of relevant, progressively responsible experience, including 4 years of managing projects and some experience managing others. Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree.

Experience and qualifications for success

- Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, natural resource management, geology or other related field

- Eight (8) years of relevant industry experience, including experience preparing or directing the preparation of FERC licensing documents and associated environmental compliance documentation.

- Four (4) years of experience managing multiple concurrent complex, multidisciplinary hydropower projects, including leading meetings with clients, license applicants, and agencies, directing project teams and subcontractors, and maintaining project budgets and schedules.

- Two (2) or more years of environmental consulting experience.

- Proven experience mentoring and supervising staff and supporting career development within a team environment

- Working knowledge of federal and state environmental regulations including NEPA, FERC, FLPMA, CWA, ESA, NHPA, and the ability to develop project execution plans to meet regulatory requirements.

- Working understanding of agency internal processes and procedures including FERC, BLM, USFS, BOR, NPS, and USFWS.

- Demonstrated experience engaging with utility, developers, or other license applicants on hydropower licensing or compliance.

- Experience supporting hydropower projects across a range of project types including relicensing, amendments, compliance reporting, exemptions, pumped storage, or transmission-related actions nationwide.

- Demonstrated experience providing senior-level QA/QC review of hydropower regulatory deliverables.

- A track record of collaborative teamwork, individual accountability, and behaviors that align with SWCA’s values and contribute positively to an inclusive and supportive workplace culture

Preferred Qualifications:

- Master’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, natural resources, or related field.

- Ten (10) or more years of hydropower licensing and environmental consulting experience.

- Five (5) years or more of experience managing multiple concurrent complex, multidisciplinary hydropower projects, including leading meetings with clients, license applicants, and agencies, directing project teams and subcontractors, and maintaining project budgets and schedules

- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

- Experience supporting business development efforts with a focus on federal agencies, renewable energy developers, utilities, or other non-federal applicants seeking permits or licenses

Other Job Conditions

When driving is required

Applicants must possess a valid driver's license and meet SWCA's driver requirements.

When traveling is required

This position may require domestic travel, including travel by commercial airline. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain all valid travel documents and identification required for work-related travel throughout the duration of employment.

Safety Expectations

Lead level: Drives compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety.

Work Environment

Work is regularly performed outdoors and involves hiking over uneven terrain, lifting and carrying equipment up to 25–50 pounds, and working in varying/extreme weather conditions. Employees may be exposed to vegetation, wildlife, insects, dust, chemicals, sharp or heavy tools, and other environmental conditions while following required safety procedures.

Pay Range

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. The expected pay range for this Salt Lake City, UT-based position is:

- Senior Project Manager - $95,004.00 to $126,672.00 per year

- Principal Project Manager - $110,292.00 - $145,236.00 per year

Actual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law. Eligible employees may also receive performance-based bonuses.

As a 100% employee-owned company, we invest in your future. Our Total Rewards package includes an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, 401(k) with profit sharing, medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities.

Closing

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact [email protected].

If you require assistance with the application process, please contact [email protected].

Use of Technology in Hiring

SWCA may use approved technology, including AI-assisted tools, to support parts of the application and recruiting process. All selection and hiring decisions are made by SWCA employees, and candidates are not selected or rejected by automated systems. We are committed to a fair, transparent, and human-centered hiring experience.

Candidate Use of AI

Candidates may use AI tools to help prepare application materials and interviews. However, all application materials, assessments, and interview responses must accurately reflect their own experience, skills, and qualifications. AI must not be used to fabricate experience, complete assessments on their behalf, or otherwise misrepresent their background or abilities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SWCA Environmental Consultants is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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