Job Description

About the opportunity:

SWCA Environmental Consultants is excited to expand our Rocky Mountain Plains team! We're looking for passionate professionals to help us deliver impactful, high-quality environmental solutions. Whether you're an experienced

Natural Resources

focused

Associate Project Municipal Planner

or

Project Municipal Planner

, we want to hear from you. This on-call role offers the opportunity to work on

utility scale

renewable energy generation and transmission projects

spanning Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and beyond. You'll play a key role in meeting project goals, driving projects forward, collaborating with talented colleagues, and making a difference in the utility scale renewable energy sector.

This position will be an hourly, On-Demand/On Call position (no benefits except wellness time). The individual can work in a hybrid work environment near our Broomfield, CO or Fort Collins, CO offices, or be fully-remote (= distributed) within Colorado.

At SWCA, we believe in fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where every team member contributes their unique skills and perspectives. You'll work on meaningful projects with opportunities to grow your career and make an impact. We value creativity, teamwork, and a passion for delivering

Sound Science and Creative Solutions

to our clients. We're seeking candidates with a blend of municipal planning, permitting, and project management experience. While consulting experience and knowledge of utility scale renewable energy projects are preferred, we encourage applicants with strong planning and project management skills to apply--even if utility scale permitting experience is limited. This is an on-call position reporting to one of our Team Leads in Denver or Fort Collins, CO.

We typically hire the following positions under this job opening:Associate Project Municipal Planner | Typically with at least five (5) years of relevant experience and expertise; Project Municipal Planner | Typically with at least seven (7) years of relevant experience and expertise.
However, those individuals with between 3 and 7 years of relevant industry experience are also strongly encouraged to apply.

Application deadline: November 20, 2025, 5pm MT

What you will accomplish:

Below please find the job responsibilities for a Project Municipal Planner. Responsibilities for an Associate Project Municipal Planner will include small, less complex projects, and supporting a senior or principal planner on larger, complex projects.Contribute planning expertise and/or manage medium size, multi-year, multi-disciplinary private land renewable energy development projects. Contribute planning expertise and/or manage third party review of utility scale renewable energy development applications on behalf of local governments. Oversee and execute the management of permitting efforts for renewable energy and transmission projects of all sizes and levels of complexity and/or controversy. Review invoices, expenditures and complete project audits for projects and tasks. Advise and execute on all aspects of project implementation, including the development of project permitting strategies, provide QA/QC of work processes and deliverables, and lead teams completing technical studies that support permitting efforts. Contribute land use planning expertise or manage projects that include state level permitting, local county level permitting, NEPA compliance, state and federal Endangered Species Act consultations, Clean Water Act Section 404 and Section 401 permitting, and cultural resources studies. Assist project teams in navigating private land development and land use permitting challenges and meet client needs. Work closely with SWCA's resource scientists and environmental planners, managers and directors in natural and cultural resources throughout the company to promote SWCA's business interests in adherence to its mission, vision, and values. Drive compliance of safety policies and reporting requirements to ensure overall team safety. Embody and represent SWCA Core Values to clients, partners & subcontractors, public regulatory agencies, and SWCA staff.

Experience and qualifications for success:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSMinimum of a Bachelor's Degree in urban planning, environmental science, environmental planning, public administration, or other related field. At least five (5) years combined experience in urban planning, project management, public outreach, or environmental studies required. A demonstrated ability to execute local/county land use permit approvals and/or stakeholder facilitation for a variety of project approvals pursuant to local, state, and federal laws governing environmental resources and land use decisions. Demonstrated experience with local, state, and/or federal agencies. Experience and ability to manage multiple small or medium size projects, in diverse settings and with changing requirements.

PREFERRED OR HELPFULAmerican Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification. At least three (5) years of urban planning experience and seven (7) years of relevant professional experience.. Ability to be recognized by clients and agencies as a strong land use planner to lead or assist in the development of land use planning, permitting, and compliance documents through project completion.

Knowledge, Skills and AttributesDemonstrated experience working in a fast-paced work environment and desire to work in a highly collaborative team atmosphere. Demonstrated skills in interpersonal communication, collaboration, and high-quality decision-making.
SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms.

Our Vision (the North Star), Core Values, and Purpose:

SWCA is an employee-owned firm and the best workplace and global leader in addressing sustainability, environmental, and social challenges.
We are

#OneSWCA

and

collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines.

We are

#AlwaysLearning

, we

#NeverSettle

and we

#GiveBack

. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture. Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story. If you need assistance accessing SWCA's website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We're committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response. SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges on all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency. An employee in this position can expect the following pay ranges:

Denver, CO based:

Associate Project Municipal Planner | $31.50/hour to $40.43/hour

Project Municipal Planner | $35.70/hour to $46.20/hour

Fort Collins, CO based:Associate Project Municipal Planner | $30.00/hour to $38.50/hourProject Municipal Planner | $34.00/hour to $44.00/hour Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA's outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more. This position is eligible for our wellness paid time off, employee assistance program and wellness program activities. EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success. 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.