Permitting Team Lead - UMIAQ Environmental

Overview

UMIAQ Environmental is seeking an experienced, dynamic Permitting Team Lead to join our Anchorage-based team. This critical role will lead and manage multi-disciplinary permitting efforts for major infrastructure, utility, construction, and oil and gas projects across Alaska. The ideal candidate possesses deep regulatory expertise within the State of Alaska, demonstrated success navigating complex federal, state, and local permitting processes, and a passion for leading high-performing technical teams.

In this role, you will serve as the primary strategic and technical lead on complex permit applications, working directly with clients, regulatory agencies, and multi-disciplinary project teams. You will oversee permit strategy, technical review, agency negotiations, and compliance tracking, while fostering strong relationships with state and federal regulators.

As a subsidiary of the Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC), UMIAQ Environmental provides expert environmental consulting across Alaska—from NEPA compliance to remote site assessments. We pride ourselves on a culture of safety, leadership, and professional growth, offering competitive wages and comprehensive benefits to our dedicated team.

Responsibilities

Essential functions will include:

• Permitting Leadership: Lead the development, preparation, and agency submission of state, federal, and local permit application packages for civil construction, utility, and oil & gas development projects across Alaska.

• Regulatory & Agency Strategy: Develop comprehensive permitting strategies, matrix schedules, and risk assessments to ensure projects achieve regulatory approvals on budget and on schedule.

• Agency & Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact and negotiator with regulatory authorities, including USACE, ADNR, BLM, FAA, and local boroughs/municipalities.

• Project & Team Management: Lead, mentor, and task technical staff and junior specialists on environmental permitting projects; review technical work products for quality, clarity, and regulatory compliance.

• Multi-Sector Technical Oversight: Manage environmental permitting workflows across diverse sectors, including oil and gas pads/pipelines, linear utility corridors, gravel extraction, roads, and civil infrastructure.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with internal NEPA specialists, engineers, GIS analysts, field scientists, and sub-consultants to ensure seamless document integration.

• Business Development & Proposal Support: Lead permitting scope creation, cost estimating, and technical proposal development to support firm growth and secure new project opportunities.

• Compliance Management: Track permit conditions, compliance monitoring schedules, and reporting obligations throughout the construction and operational phases of client projects.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Advanced working knowledge of state and federal environmental regulatory frameworks in Alaska, including CWA (Section 404/401), APDES, Title 16 Fish Habitat, Title 38 AS, ODPCP/Spill Prevention, and local municipal and land use permits.

• Deep familiarization with Alaskan oil & gas development, energy production, utilities, and heavy civil construction permitting mechanisms.

• Strong understanding of Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs), tribal consultation protocols, and the logistical challenges of remote field execution and development in Alaska.

• Proven technical writing and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) skills with high attention to detail.

• Skill in negotiating permit conditions with regulatory agencies while effectively advocating for client operational objectives.

• Demonstrated capability to manage multiple complex project schedules, budgets, and staff assignments simultaneously.

• Ability to identify regulatory constraints and risks early in the project lifecycle and formulate proactive, defensible mitigation strategies.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of 8–10+ years of progressive experience in environmental permitting and compliance, with an explicit emphasis on Alaskan construction, utility, or oil and gas projects.

• Proven track record leading multi-disciplinary teams through complex state and federal permitting processes in Alaska.

• Ability and willingness to travel to project sites and remote locations throughout Alaska, occasionally in small aircraft or via off-road transport, for up to 20% of the year.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel for project management and technical reporting; advanced experience with Adobe Acrobat Pro for client deliverable production.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), or equivalent professional certification preferred.

• Direct experience leading permitting for North Slope, Interior, or Cook Inlet oil and gas developments and linear infrastructure projects.

• Solid working knowledge of NEPA document integration (EAs, CEs, EISs) as it relates to major federal permitting triggers.

• Extensive established working relationships with key Alaska regulatory agencies (USACE Alaska District, ADNR DMLW/SPCO, ADF&G Habitat, ADEC).

• Experience preparing and delivering technical presentations to regulatory agencies, client management teams, and community stakeholders.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and bending.

• Regular lifting and carrying of equipment or materials weighing 30 pounds or more.

• Ability to work in outdoor environments, including uneven terrain and varying weather conditions.

• Visual acuity and manual dexterity required for data collection, equipment use, and documentation.

• Mental focus and alertness needed to follow safety procedures and accurately complete field tasks.

• Ability to work long hours in remote field locations as required by project needs.

Working Conditions:

• Exposure to all types of weather conditions, including cold, wind, rain, and heat.

• Regular field visits based on project requirements.

• Ability to travel to and from job sites throughout Alaska, including remote locations.

• Travel may involve driving long distances or flying in small aircraft.

• Fieldwork may include extended hours, irregular schedules, and overnight stays in remote areas.

#LI-WW1

Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug & alcohol screening and/or random drug screen, and must follow UIC’s Non-DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing Program requirements. If the position requires, an applicant must pass a pre-employment criminal background history check. All post-secondary education listed on the applicant’s resume/application may be subject to verification.

Where driving may be required or where a rental car must be obtained for business travel purposes, applicants must have a valid driver license for this position and will be subject to verification. In addition, the applicant must pass an in-house, online, driving course to be authorized to drive for company purposes.

UIC is an equal opportunity employer. Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. Pursuant to The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act 43 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and subject to other state and federal requirements, UIC and its subsidiaries may legally grant certain preference in employment opportunities to UIC Shareholders and their Descendants. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity posters here .

All candidates must apply online at www.uicalaska.com , and submit a completed application for all positions they wish to be considered. Once the employment application has been completed and submitted, any changes to the application after submission may not be reviewed. Please contact a UIC HR Recruiter if you have made a significant change to your application. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), persons unable to complete an online application should contact UIC Human Resources for assistance www.uicalaska.com/careers/recruitment/ .

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) is the village corporation of Utqiaġvik, Alaska and is recognized as one of Alaska’s top 10 companies with approximately 4,400 employees nationwide and revenues above $1 Billion annually. UIC is projected to grow substantially in the coming years to become a top 3 company in Alaska by 2030. As a proud Alaska Native Corporation, our success brings growth and benefits to our Iñupiat shareholders. The size and diversity of our operations means we have a broad variety of career opportunities.

UIC and its subsidiaries are committed to and strive for safety, quality, business ethics, and shareholder value. We offer competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, short/long term disability, and 401(k) retirement plans as well as paid time off programs for eligible full-time employees. Eligible part-time employees are able to participate in the 401(k) retirement plans and state or contract required paid time off programs.

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Requisition ID 2026-26360

Category Research & Scientific

Location : Location US-AK-Anchorage

Travel Requirement 10% - 25%