Program Manager for Planning

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SUMMARY:

DAWSON, a Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)-owned business, is seeking a Program Manager to lead our Planning / National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Program supporting a variety of environmental consulting projects for federal clients, including the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Department of the Interior (DOI), and other federal agencies.

The successful candidate will report to senior leadership in DAWSONs Environmental Business Line. This individual will provide managerial oversight to numerous Project Managers and technical staff supporting environmental planning and NEPA projects nationwide. The Program Manager will oversee a multidisciplinary team, ensure technical and regulatory excellence, cultivate client relationships, and maintain the financial strength of the practice.

This position is ideal for a leader who excels at balancing big-picture program strategy with hands-on project delivery and team development, while driving excellence in environmental planning, stewardship, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Mentorship

• Provide program-level leadership and oversight for the firms environmental planning and NEPA practice serving federal clients.
• Mentor and develop staff across disciplines, fostering a culture of professionalism, technical excellence, accountability, and collaboration.
• Lead workforce development initiatives, including staff training, performance management, and succession planning.

Program and Project Management

• Manage large-scale environmental planning and NEPA projects for federal agencies, including DHS, DoD, USACE, DOI, and other federal clients.
• Direct and oversee the preparation of environmental planning documents and supporting technical studies, including Categorical Exclusions (CATEXs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), and associated resource analyses.
• Ensure that all deliverables meet contract requirements, agency guidance, federal and state regulatory standards, and internal quality assurance procedures.
• Coordinate with client representatives, regulatory agencies, cooperating agencies, stakeholders, and community representatives throughout project execution.
• Oversee project schedules, staffing, budgets, scope, quality, and risk management for multiple concurrent projects and contracts.
• Support interdisciplinary integration across natural resources, cultural resources, permitting, and environmental compliance functions as needed for project delivery.

Business Development and Client Relations

• Lead business development and capture management efforts for federal contracts within the firms environmental planning and NEPA services portfolio.
• Develop and execute strategies to pursue new task orders, IDIQs, and contract vehicles in alignment with the companys growth objectives.
• Prepare and review technical proposals, statements of qualifications, capture plans, and cost estimates.
• Strengthen and expand long-term relationships with federal contracting officers, program managers, agency representatives, and teaming partners.
• Represent DAWSON at industry conferences, professional associations, client meetings, and community engagement events.

Financial and Operational Management

• Maintain a positive revenue stream for the group by developing and managing budgets, controlling costs, and forecasting revenue.
• Oversee project performance metrics, contract compliance, invoicing support, and financial reporting for multiple projects.
• Contribute to strategic planning, market expansion, and organizational development initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to corporate policies, safety standards, and federal contracting compliance requirements.

Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Engineering, Geology, Public Policy, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental consulting or federal contracting, including extensive work with environmental planning and NEPA projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects for federal clients, particularly DHS, DoD, DOI, or USACE.
• Proven success in program leadership, business development, and financial management within a consulting or contracting environment.
• Comprehensive understanding of NEPA and related federal and state environmental regulations and review processes.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary teams and coordinating technical specialists in support of environmental planning efforts.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and client management skills.
• Professional certification such as AICP, PMP, CEP, or other relevant credentials preferred.

Travel Requirements:
Periodic business travel is required and is expected about 25% of the year: overnight travel is required. Travel is anticipated to consist of field work at project sites, client visits, and work at
partner offices across the United States. The position may involve outdoor fieldwork at sites across the United States. Fieldwork may require candidate to walk over uneven terrain up to 8 hours a day and carry
heavy equipment. Candidates are subject to fit for duty baseline physical and subject to medical monitoring protocols.

Competencies:

• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
• Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Judgement - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Occasionally required to stand
• Occasionally required to walk
• Frequently required to sit
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl
• Continually required to talk or hear
• Occasionally exposure to wet and/or humid conditions (non-weather)
• Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts
• Occasionally work in high, precarious places
• Occasionally work around fumes, airborne particles, or toxic chemicals
• Occasionally exposure to outside weather conditions
• Occasionally exposure to extreme heat or cold (non-weather)
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include: Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus

DAWSON is an Equal Opportunity/VEVRAA federal contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

DAWSON offers a best-in-class benefits program including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) program with employer match; paid vacation and sick leave; employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; and a flexible work environment. Additionally, employees can choose from several voluntary benefits including critical illness coverage; accident insurance; identity theft coverage; pet insurance, and more.

DAWSON gives preference to internal candidates. If no internal candidate meets our qualifications, external candidates will be given consideration.

DAWSONs career portal utilizes a third-party applicant tracking system that allows us to send and receive messages, along with our official DAWSON email addresses. Recruiting emails from DAWSON will only come from @dawsonohana.com or @msg.clrco.com. DAWSON will never: Ask you to send money or purchase equipment as part of the hiring process; Require you to download any apps to interview such as Teams, WhatsApp, etc.; Conduct interviews via Teams chat or messaging-only platforms; or Request banking information outside of secure onboarding steps. To verify current opportunities, use this official careers page. If you are ever unsure about DAWSON roles and communications, contact us at comms@dawsonohana.com before taking action.