Associate Project Manager - CEQA in San Diego

Energy Jobline ZR; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP Ownership

Top Workplace 2020-2025

Supportive Culture

Meaningful Work

Professional development

Job summary

RECON Environmental is seeking an Associate Project Manager for its CEQA/NEPA team in San Diego. You will manage and support environmental planning projects, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and serve as a client contact while developing leadership and QA/QC skills.

The role emphasizes CEQA/NEPA compliance, budget and schedule management, and collaboration with senior staff to define strategies. Hybrid/remote work options are available for this regular, full-time position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 4-6 years of relevant environmental planning and CEQA/NEPA experience.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and managing environmental compliance documents, including CEQA and/or NEPA documentation, environmental analyses, technical studies, and related project deliverables.
• Ability to independently manage small to moderate-sized projects, including project scoping, budgeting, scheduling, coordination of multidisciplinary teams, and client communication.
• Working knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, and applicable local, state, and federal environmental regulations, CEQA streamlining and strategy, permitting and entitlement requirements, and local agency processes.
• Excellent technical writing, editing, organizational, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with clients, agencies, project teams, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage CEQA environmental documents and related technical documents.
• Coordinate with NEPA documents and lead agency requirements with technical specialists.
• Independently manage multiple small to moderate-sized projects and monitor progress.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and staffing to ensure timely, on-budget delivery.
• Support business development and client relations to promote repeat work.

Skills

CEQA/NEPA Experience

Project Management

Technical Writing

Client Communication

Budgeting & Scheduling

Team Coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Environmental planning software

Job description

Job Description

Associate Project Manager, CEQA Group Req: 26-15

RECON Environmental is a small company of specialists representing one of the most established environmental consulting service firms in the Southwest. We are employee-owned and hard-working, offering a supportive environment. We take pride in delivering thoughtful, high-quality work for our clients. The right candidate will find a flexible, collaborative workplace where their expertise is valued, and their contributions make a difference

We are looking for a new team member for RECON’s CEQA/NEPA team to be responsible for managing and supporting environmental planning projects, with a primary focus on compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This position manages small to moderate-sized projects and supports larger, multidisciplinary projects. General responsibilities include coordinating project teams, preparing and reviewing environmental documents, managing budgets and schedules, and serving as a client contact. The Associate Project Manager must be able to exercise independent judgment in project execution, environmental compliance strategy, and client support while continuing to develop leadership, quality control, and business development skills. This is a regular, full-time position based out of our San Diego office eligible for a hybrid/remote work schedule.

Technical Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage CEQA environmental compliance documents, including Exemptions, Initial Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, Addenda, CEQA compliance documents, and related technical documents.
• Prepare and manage environmental compliance documents prepared pursuant to the NEPA, including Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, and related supporting documentation, and coordinates with technical specialists and lead agencies to ensure compliance with applicable federal requirements.
• Conduct environmental research, regulatory review, and technical analysis to support project objectives and environmental compliance requirements.
• Collaborate with senior staff to ensure selection of environmental compliance pathways and project-specific CEQA and NEPA strategies.
• Coordinate with technical specialists to ensure environmental analyses are complete, technically accurate, and consistent with applicable regulations and agency requirements.

Project Management Responsibilities

• Independently manage multiple small to moderate-sized projects and support management of larger multidisciplinary projects.
• Develop, independently or with senior oversight, project scopes, schedules, budgets, and staffing assignments to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Independently coordinate project teams and facilitate communication among staff, subcontractors, technical specialists, clients, and agencies.
• Monitor project progress identifying potential issues affecting scope, schedule, budget, or quality, developing appropriate solutions as needed. Keep clients informed regarding status, budget, and key issues.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements and company project management procedures, including internal QA/QC processes.

Business Development Responsibilities

• Assist the CEQA Director with preparation of proposals, scopes of work, schedules, and cost estimates.
• Supports business development activities through client service, networking, conference participation, and identification of new opportunities.
• Promotes repeat business through responsive client service and successful project delivery.

Will perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 4-6 years of relevant environmental planning and CEQA/NEPA experience.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and managing environmental compliance documents, including CEQA and/or NEPA documentation, environmental analyses, technical studies, and related project deliverables.
• Ability to independently manage small to moderate-sized projects, including project scoping, budgeting, scheduling, coordination of multidisciplinary teams, and client communication.
• Working knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, and applicable local, state, and federal environmental regulations, CEQA streamlining and strategy, permitting and entitlement requirements, and local agency processes.
• Excellent technical writing, editing, organizational, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with clients, agencies, project teams, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex issues, exercise sound professional judgment, and develop practical solutions to environmental compliance and project management challenges.
• Strong attention to detail, professionalism, and commitment to producing high-quality work products.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and work effectively both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other software commonly used in environmental planning, project management, and document production.

Why Join RECON Environmental?

• ESOP Ownership - become a shareholder and directly benefit from company success.
• Top Workplace 2020-2025 - ranked #5 among small companies in San Diego, with a focus on work/life flexibility.
• Supportive Culture - we value work/life balance, , and environmental stewardship.
• Meaningful Work - contribute to projects that restore habitats, protect endangered species, and shape sustainable communities.

What We Offer

• Collaborative, mission-driven culture.
• Flexible work schedule and supportive environment.
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, Life & AD&D insurance, Flex benefits, PTO, holidays, 401(k) match.

RECON is an EOE/Minority///Vets

Salary Range: $45.00-52.00 hour DOE