Associate or Senior Environmental Planner (Irvine, CA)

Dokken Engineering; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) Profit Sharing

Paid time off

Career development

Job summary

Dokken Engineering in Irvine, CA seeks an experienced environmental professional to lead planning and regulatory efforts across public infrastructure projects in California. You’ll shape environmental strategies from early planning through construction, collaborating with clients, agencies, and subconsultants.

Your guidance will influence complex CEQA/NEPA analyses and permit delivery. We value hands-on contributors who excel in communication, problem solving, and mentoring, with a strong

Qualifications

• Minimum of a BA or BS in environmental studies/planning, biology, or a related field.
• Experience with Federal and California environmental laws including CEQA, NEPA, the Clean Water Act, and related regulations.

Responsibilities

• Progress multiple projects at a time through the environmental process (NEPA/CEQA approvals, regulatory permits, and environmental oversight in construction).
• Collaborate effectively with clients, regulatory authorities, environmental and engineering team members, and subconsultants.
• Prepare environmental technical reports, many of which are Caltrans-formatted NEPA technical studies.
• Prepare regulatory permit applications and secure environmental permits.
• Develop and implement mitigation monitoring and reporting programs.
• Visit construction projects to oversee compliance with environmental commitments.
• Prepare proposals and assist with securing new projects.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Environmental planning

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Education

BA/BS in environmental studies/planning

Job description

At Dokken, you would help shape public infrastructure that protects natural resources and improves communities across California. Dokken provides environmental clearances, permits, and designs for important local, state, and federally funded projects, including trails, roads, bridges, water facilities, transit systems, and other public works facilities.

Our environmental team works on projects where your environmental planning and regulatory expertise directly influences resource conservation and creative infrastructure designs. We have a collaborative, multidisciplinary culture where your curiosity is encouraged, your ideas matter, and you can grow your career at the pace that suits you while making a real impact on the places people live, travel to, and explore.

Dokken’s in-house environmental team consists of environmental planners with CEQA and NEPA expertise, biologists, arborists, archaeologists, noise/air experts, GIS professionals, and regulatory permitting specialists.

At Dokken, we’re more than a workplace—we are an employee‑owned company and a tight‑knited team that genuinely cares about one another and the work we do together. We foster a supportive, connected culture with opportunities to engage beyond the day‑to‑day. We trust and support our team members and offer the flexibility that comes with that level of trust. Dokken is dedicated to developing our employees and delivering excellent projects.

You will have a hands‑on role in the full project lifecycle, collaborating across disciplines and strategically incorporating your environmental expertise into the early planning, design, and construction aspects of the project. You’ll build lasting relationships with clients and agency staff while contributing to meaningful projects that shape communities. We empower our team members to think creatively, ask questions, and challenge the status quo—your ideas and perspective truly matter here. We also encourage active participation in professional organizations such as the American Public Works Association and California Association of Environmental Professionals. We are committed to supporting your growth, curiosity, and long‑term career development.

Core Job Responsibilities:

• Progress multiple projects at a time through the environmental process (NEPA/CEQA approvals, regulatory permits, and environmental oversight in construction)
• Collaborate effectively with clients, regulatory authorities, environmental and engineering team members, and subconsultants
• Prepare environmental technical reports, many of which are Caltrans‑formatted NEPA technical studies
• Prepare regulatory permit applications and secure environmental permits
• Develop and implement mitigation monitoring and reporting programs
• Visit construction projects to oversee compliance with environmental commitments
• Prepare proposals and assist with securing new projects

Critical Traits & Abilities:

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Driven and proactive
• Strong problem‑solving and critical thinking skills
• Curious with a desire to continuously learn
• Strong attention to detail
• Effective technical writing and analytical skills
• Ability to work efficiently, both independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to mentor and grow staff
• Minimum of a BA or BS in environmental studies/planning, biology, or a related field
• Associate position : 5–15 years of relevant experience, preferably in California
• Senior position : 10–20 years of relevant experience, preferable in California
• Applicants must have substantial experience with:
• Federal and California environmental laws, including CEQA, NEPA, the Clean Water Act, the Federal Endangered Species Act, the California Fish and Game Code, and related regulations - experience with wildlife biology is a plus
• Delivering complex transportation and infrastructure projects through the CEQA and NEPA processes
• Preparing and securing regulatory permits for impacts to water resources

Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand, or walk for the entire duration of a workday
• Will use a telephone, computer system, email, or other electronic devices on a regular basis
• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception
• Works indoors and outdoors; outdoor work may occur in remote or urban environments
• Usually works near others, such as in a shared office space
• Occasionally wears protective gear, such as a hard hat
• Sometimes works in noisy or distracting work environments
• Occasionally travels to project sites by automobile, train, and/or airplane (mostly day trips with occasional overnight travel)

FLSA Status:

Full-Time Exempt

Compensation:

• Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience
• Opportunities for overtime compensation
• Paid Time Off (starting at 3 weeks/year)
• 10 paid holidays
• 40 hours of paid career development (trainings/workshops, etc., with all travel expenses included)
• Comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement benefits including 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan with generous, industry‑leading employer match of 9%
• Participation in Employee Stock Ownership Plan (over the past 5 years, the company’s average contribution has been 15.8% of employee salaries)
• Wellness Program ($1,200/year)
• Employer‑paid life insurance and long‑term disability insurance

Location:

Irvine, CA office, with potential for up to 2 days/week remote

Schedule:

Full-time; Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (times flexible)

Introductory/Probationary Period:

At‑will employment

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

It is the policy of this Company to ensure that applicants are selected, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, or disability. Such actions shall include employment, promotion, demotion, or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training.