CEQA Area Lead - San Francisco Bay Area

BKF Engineers, Inc.; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

401k

Paid time off

9 Paid holidays

Flexible schedule

Education reimbursement

Professional dues paid

Benefits

Job summary

BKF Engineers, Inc. is seeking an Environmental Project Manager to lead CEQA/NEPA projects and expand our California services within the Planning team.

This role focuses on client engagement, leadership, strategic planning, staff development, and business development in a key California market. The position offers a remote option or hybrid arrangement between a California office and home, with responsibilities ranging from project oversight, multi-agency coordination, and coaching staff to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• AICP certification desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in progressive leadership roles overseeing planning and environmental professionals.
• Proven experience supervising staff in CEQA/NEPA projects in California.

Responsibilities

• Lead CEQA/NEPA projects and expand environmental planning services in California.
• Engage with clients, provide leadership, and drive staff development and business development.
• Grow market share and establish a steady project backlog through relationships with agencies and clients.
• Oversee environmental document preparation and peer review for CEQA/NEPA.
• Coordinate multi-agency planning efforts and supervise staff to ensure high-quality work.

Skills

Leadership

Client relations

Strategic planning

Communication

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

AICP certification desirable

Job description

At BKF, we’re not just growing—we’re thriving! As a dynamic multi-service consulting firm, we specialize in planning, engineering, surveying, and construction management. With more than 20 West Coast offices, we’ve been a trusted partner in the land development, transportation, water resources, and government services and markets for over 110 years. Our firm combines deep technical resources with a collaborative approach to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that bring community visions to life. If you’re looking to be part of a forward-thinking company that’s making a real impact, BKF is the place for you!

BKF is hiring an Environmental Project Manager to lead Environmental Compliance (CEQA/NEPA) projects and to expand our CEQA/NEPA services throughout California. The Project Manager will be able to build a project portfolio and a staff of additional qualified environmental professionals. This position has the option of being remote (with the ability to be in a BKF office when necessary), or hybrid (sharing time between one of the California offices and home).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

BKF is seeking a self-driven, results-oriented Environmental Project Manager to lead projects and support the expansion of our Environmental Planning Practice in California. The CEQA Lead will be responsible for client engagement, leadership, strategic planning, staff development and business development focused in one of our key markets within the BKF Planning team. Job duties include:

• Working with company leadership to achieve performance goals for the Environmental Planning team to grow market share in California.
• In conjunction with firm leadership, reestablishing industry contacts and building relationships with existing and prospective clients to build a steady and growing pipeline and backlog.
• Leading environmental compliance as a project manager, overseeing CEQA/NEPA document preparation and related technical studies, and conducting environmental constraints and peer review of CEQA/NEPA documents.
• Experience and technical knowledge managing environmental compliance related documents for a variety of projects and clients, including land development, municipal/local/regional government, transportation, water, energy, general plans, housing, and/or higher education.
• Driving thought leadership and BKF name recognition by actively engaging with the Planning and Environmental Services industry in California, contributing innovative ideas, participating in industry associations, serving in a leadership role in professional organizations, presenting at conferences, publishing white papers, and establishing yourself as a recognized contributor and leader.
• Guiding and overseeing environmental professional staff in technical, management, leadership, and client service skill sets.
• Ensuring the BKF Environmental Planning team in a key area excels both technically and financially by overseeing project performance and maintaining high standards in proposal and work product quality.
• Coordinating complex environmental projects and/or multi-agency/multi-jurisdictional planning efforts.
• Ability to strategize the environmental compliance needs of a given project, from exemptions and exclusions to EIRs and EISs.
• Planning and coordinating projects and developing scope of work and work plans including preparing environmental compliance documents, planning assessments, environmental research and assessment, data analysis functions, timelines, budget, and invoicing.
• Serving as a technical consultant and advisor to elected officials, citizen groups, and other stakeholders related to planning policies/standards, issues, processes, procedures, zoning/rezoning issues, ordinance changes, and environmental regulations.
• Facilitating the public involvement process with meetings and/or presentations to bring together interested stakeholders to discuss proposed planning initiatives, assess obstacles, evaluate opposing views and interests, and determine areas of support.
• Coordinating the work of consultants/contractors and other professionals who are assigned to specific projects.
• Supervising a team. Ability to coach, mentor, and develop staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in progressive leadership roles with oversight of planning and environmental professionals.
• Progressively responsible project management experience working on CEQA and NEPA projects in California and with clients for projects involving land development, municipal/local/regional government, transportation, water, energy, general plans, housing, and/or higher education.
• Must have proven ability and experience supervising staff.
• An articulate and persuasive communicator, both one-on-one and in front of large groups.
• A high energy, passionate, forward-thinking, results-oriented, team player, and resourceful leader.
• Collaborative and highly skillful at building and maintaining effective working relationships throughout the organization.
• Ability to effectively manage teams and communicate with clients.
• Ability to handle critical conversations with internal staff, managers, and leaders.
• Valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driver’s record are required.

Physical Demands

Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions

Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

Compensation and Benefits

The typical base salary range for this position is $145,000.00 - $180,000.00, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.

• Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k.
• Generous paid time off packages.
• 9 Paid Holidays.
• Flexible schedules.
• Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
• BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks.

BKF Engineers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF Engineers does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF Engineers, BKF Engineers reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.