Distinguishing Features

The Senior Environmental Planner is responsible for supporting implementation of the TWT mitigation team and advancing programs that achieve natural resource, water resource, climate resilience, wetland protection, and sustainability objectives as expressed in the TWT Strategic Plan. The planner prepares detailed planning reports, conducts environmental and ecological assessments, develops wetland restoration and enhancement concepts, proposes policies, plans and projects, administers grant funding, and identifies probable environmental impacts associated with development proposals. The Environmental Planner also considers impacts to the local community especially neighbors, and local government, and creates plans and approaches to communicate TWT activities in the community as well as gaining land use approvals where necessary. The Senior Environmental Planner is a critical component of identifying and securing properties for both mitigation and mission driven initiatives.

This is a mid- to senior-level professional position focused on environmental planning, natural resource management, and wetland ecology and design. The position leads and coordinates complex studies requiring collaboration among multidisciplinary teams, consultants, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders. Responsibilities include land use planning and permitting, water resources, land conservation, climate adaptation, ecological restoration, stormwater management, habitat enhancement, sustainability, community development, and environmental compliance.

Typical Work Activities

In addition to environmental planning responsibilities, the following wetland design and restoration functions include:

• Leads efforts to protect, restore, and enhance natural resources through conservation, and ecological restoration; 
• Develops conceptual and preliminary designs for wetland restoration, enhancement, creation, and mitigation projects using natural design approaches; 
• Conducts ecological assessment, habitat evaluation, and site suitability analyses; 
• Evaluates hydrologic, hydraulic, and ecological conditions affecting stream and wetland habitat and recommends restoration or management strategies; 
• Evaluates habitat conditions affecting other species including bats, grassland birds and unique vegetative communities;
• Provides technical guidance regarding wetland regulations, permitting requirements, and environmental compliance; 
• Coordinates with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies regarding wetlands, streams, floodplains, and water resource protection initiatives; 
• Coordinates with local communities and neighborhoods where TWT properties are located;
• Develops restoration plans incorporating native vegetation, habitat enhancement, stormwater treatment, and natural infrastructure principles; 
• Supports watershed planning, flood mitigation, resiliency planning, and nature-based solutions for climate adaptation; 
• Uses GIS, remote sensing, and environmental data to identify restoration opportunities and analyze ecological conditions; 
• Oversees teams conducting wetland design, environmental engineering, habitat restoration, and ecological monitoring activities; 
• Develops monitoring programs to assess wetland function, restoration success, and ecosystem performance; 
• Reviews proposals for potential impacts to wetlands, streams, floodplains, and sensitive ecological resources; 
• Provides expert guidance and support regarding flooding, erosion, water quality, habitat conservation, and climate-related environmental challenges; 
• Prepares grant applications and manages grants supporting wetland restoration, ecological conservation, and environmental planning initiatives; 
• Prepares proposals in response to RFPs;
• Presents to public officials, advisory boards, stakeholders, and community groups regarding environmental and wetland-related projects; 
• Participates in interdisciplinary planning efforts integrating land use planning, infrastructure planning, and ecosystem conservation objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Ecology, Natural Resources, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Engineering, , Geography, Sustainability, Wetland Science, , or a closely related field. 
• 5+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in planning, environmental planning, wetland design, ecological restoration, natural resource management, watershed planning, environmental permitting, land conservation, or related environmental disciplines. 

Relevant Experience

• Demonstrated experience designing, managing, or implementing wetland restoration, enhancement, creation, mitigation, stream restoration, floodplain management, green infrastructure, or nature-based resilience projects. 
• Experience preparing technical reports, environmental assessments, grant applications, permitting documents, and project management plans. 
• Proficiency with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), environmental data analysis, mapping applications, and related planning and design software. 
• Experience coordinating with regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, community stakeholders, and multidisciplinary project teams. 
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations pertaining to wetlands, water resources, stormwater management, habitat conservation, and land development. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP), American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Registered Landscape Architect (RLA),  or similar professional certification. 
• Experience with mitigation planning, watershed management, hydrologic analysis, habitat assessments, or environmental permitting. 
• Master’s degree in Environmental Planning, Policy, Ecology, Natural Resources, Wetland Science, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Engineering, or related field.

Work Environment

The position may require seasonal fieldwork in wetlands, streams, floodplains, forests, and other natural environments. Duties will involve traversing uneven terrain, exposure to weather conditions, vegetation, insects, mud, standing water, and other environmental conditions commonly associated with ecological field investigations. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with applicable laws.

Office work will be 100% remote with periodic but frequent off-site field work and meetings.

Compensation

• This is an exempt, full-time position $80,000 – $110,000 (depending on qualifications)
• Expected workload of 40 hours per week in 2026 
• New York State residency required.
• Flexible scheduling within agreed-upon working hours 

Ready to apply?

• Please submit a cover letter and resume as a combined pdf to [email protected]. 
• Please name your file “Last Name_Planner”
• Please include “Senior Environmental Planner” in the subject line. 

Due to volume, we will only reach out to applicants selected for an interview. 

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Thank you for interest in The Wetland Trust!