Senior NEPA Program Director

SENIOR NEPA PROGRAM DIRECTOR / PLANNER

Job Title: Senior NEPA Program Director / Planner

Department: NEPA Services

The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and conservation throughout the West. Founded in 1998 at the University of Nevada, GBI advances applied research to support science- based adaptive management of public lands. The Institute is dedicated to the promotion of science through field studies programs, conservation practices, and public outreach.

Celebrating its 25th year of operation, GBI employs over 600 researchers and field technicians annually and has successfully managed over $230 million dollars in grants and contracts in support of conservation initiatives. GBI is based out of Reno, Nevada, with satellite offices in Washoe County and Las Vegas, Nevada. The Institute is the recipient of the 2022 and 2015 US Forest Service's R5 and R4 Regional Forester Award.

Job Description:

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in partnership with US Forest Service (USFS) and agency collaborators, is seeking a Senior NEPA Program Director / Planner to contribute to, develop, and direct NEPA Program initiatives. This highly dynamic position oversees the Institute’s NEPA interdisciplinary resource specialist team and subconsultants. The Director also examines and evaluates programmatic functions and develops partnerships in support of an annual budget of $8MM. As both a subject matter expert and administrator, the successful candidate must possess a working knowledge of environmental law, public land policy, and best management practices.

Essential Job Functions:

• Apply understanding of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements to determine the permitting strategy for projects;
• Perform research, strategic consultation, and prepare Plans of Operation, Plans of Development, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, and other permitting documents;
• Analyze environmental impacts from project activities and develop written descriptions of impacts for environmental documents;
• Contribute to partnership development activities, including client relations and proposal development for new project work;
• Review and interpret highly technical reports on a variety of subjects (air quality, archaeology, biology, geology, hazardous materials, historic resources, hydrology, etc.) and summarize in non-technical language understandable to a layperson;
• Coordinate public meetings and other public outreach and engagement tasks, including travel logistics, project newsletters, notices, public announcements, and related activities;
• Supervise an Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) of resource specialist and support staff;
• Generate and manage grants, agreements, program budget and fiscal forecasts;
• Promote effective internal and external communication;
• Provide cross-program/department support;
• Perform other program- or institute-level functions as needed.
   

Contract Timeline:

Exempt, FT Regular Permanent

Location:

Based at GBI offices in Reno, NV The “Biggest Little City in the World” the greater Reno-Sparks metropolitan area has a population of over 400k. The city is a high desert landscape ~4,500 feet above sea level, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains along the Truckee River, as it flows from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. Weather is relatively mild, but with distinct four seasons. Reno offers easy access to world-class outdoor recreation including driving distance to Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks, the Pacific Ocean, and California redwood forests. Closer to home, Nevada offers more natural hot springs than any other state in the country, over 150 named mountain ranges, and 30 peaks over 11,000 feet. Recreation and entertainment includes eight major ski resorts in proximity to the Reno-Tahoe airport; fishing and boating on Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, and Pyramid Lake; cultural festivals throughout the summer along the banks of the Truckee River; a thriving food scene and more.
 

Compensation and Benefits:

Starting annual salary is $110 - $120k DOE. In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time, onsite position includes comprehensive medical, dental, life and vision insurance, as well as mental health support resources, 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match, competitive PTO accrual, paid holidays (10 per year), and family leave. Total compensation package is $120 - $130k per year, DOE.
This exciting role contributes to GBI’s significant positive impacts within the fields of environmental research, education, and conservation.
 

Job Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily carry out each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 

Required Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of experience successfully managing and preparing environmental documents and associated technical studies;
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the editing, oversight, and preparation of technical reports;
• Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously;
• Excellent critical thinking skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team in a fast-paced and creative environment;
• Ability to work independently with a strong work ethic;
• Excellent oral, writing, communication, presentation, strategic thinking, and “people” skills.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3 to 4 years of supervisory experience and/or process or project-management preferred;
• AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) Certification preferred;
• Experience with and an understanding of the environmental regulatory framework for the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada region, including applicable state and federal laws
• NEPA and CEQA Experience;
• Experience in forestry, fire and fuels, or other related project for forest health and post-fire recovery;
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS);
• Experience in environmental consulting;
• Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Cultural Resources, Urban Planning, Geology, Biological Sciences, or related field (plus).
   

TO APPLY

Please submit an up-to-date resume, one-page cover letter and contact information for three professional references to the application link.  Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. For questions regarding this position, please contact mdemuth@thegreatbasininstitute.org.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low-level.

The overall nature of the position is sedentary, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. There is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check.

Disclaimer: Although the Company has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, the Company reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the Company, at any time, with or without advance notice.

EEO Statement

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit Retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination.