CEQA Area Lead - San Francisco Bay Area

BKF Engineers; Walnut Creek (CA); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range $145k-$180k

401(k)

Paid time off

9 paid holidays

Flexible schedules

Education reimbursement

Professional society dues

Job summary

BKF Engineers is seeking an experienced environmental planning leader to guide a multi-disciplinary team across California projects. You will advance CEQA/NEPA efforts, coordinate with clients and agencies, and drive successful, compliant outcomes in land development and transportation programs.

This role emphasizes leadership, strategic thinking, and collaborative execution, with remote or hybrid work options and frequent collaboration with BKF offices and field teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or Environmental Science or related field.
• Master's degree in a related field is preferred.
• AICP certification is desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years in progressive leadership roles overseeing planning and environmental professionals.
• Experience supervising staff and leading CEQA/NEPA projects in CA.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Environmental Planning team to grow California market share.
• Reestablish industry contacts and build client pipeline.
• Oversee CEQA/NEPA document preparation and related studies.
• Manage environmental compliance for diverse projects (land development, government, transportation, water, energy, education).
• Drive thought leadership and BKF name recognition in the industry.
• Guide and supervise environmental staff in technical and client service skills.
• Coordinate complex multi-agency projects and planning efforts.
• Plan projects, develop scopes, work plans, timelines, budgets, and invoicing.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Communication

Client relations

Project management

Environmental planning

CEQA/NEPA knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in Urban Planning or Environmental Science

Master's degree preferred

AICP 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!

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

• 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

Requirements

• 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.

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.