CEQA / NEPA Project Manager

Dudek; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Employee-owned

Award-winning culture

Job summary

Dudek is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead environmental planning projects with a focus on CEQA and NEPA compliance. The role involves managing scope, schedules, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams, while serving as a trusted partner to public and private sector clients.

The hybrid position is tied to our Pasadena or Santa Barbara offices, offering opportunities to mentor staff, support business development, and deliver high-quality environmental solutions that meet regulatory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, or a closely related field.
• 12+ years of professional experience in environmental planning and CEQA/NEPA document preparation.
• Experience managing environmental planning projects, contracts, budgets, and teams.
• Strong knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, environmental permitting, and regulatory processes.
• Excellent communication, organization, project management, writing and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead medium to large-scale environmental planning projects focused on CEQA/NEPA compliance.
• Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, staffing, and deliverables.

Skills

CEQA/NEPA

Project management

Environmental planning

Client relationships

Mentoring staff

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning/Environmental Science/Urban & Regional Planning/Geography

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Overview

Location(s): Pasadena or Santa BarbaraPractice/Department: CEQA/NEPAWork Environment: HybridCompensation: $110,000-$160,000 annually*

Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies.

Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has beenrecognized by leading industry organizations, andwe’vebeen honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.

Ouremployee-ownersare unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience.

Learn more about ouraward-winning culture, thebenefits and perksof being aDudekian, and theprojectsyou will have the opportunity to shape.

Position Overview

Who You Are

As anemployee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, andcollaborationwhile thinking resourcefully and independently.

Like allDudekians, you are curious andsolution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit ofinnovation.

HowYou’llMake an Impact

Dudek is seeking an experienced and motivated Project Manager to lead medium to large-scale environmental planning projects with a focus on CEQA and NEPA compliance. In this role, you will manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams while serving as a trusted partner to public and private sector clients. You will provide technical leadership on environmental review efforts, mentor staff, support business development initiatives, and deliver high-quality solutions that help clients achieve their project goals. This is an excellent opportunity for a collaborative environmental planning professional who is passionate about managing impactful projects and building strong client relationships.

This hybrid role will be tied to our Pasadena or Santa Barbara offices.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management and Execution

• Manage CEQA and NEPA projects from initiation through completion, including scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and deliverables.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate technical staff and subconsultants to achieve project objectives.
• Oversee preparation and quality review of environmental documents, technical reports, and client deliverables.
• Monitor project performance, proactively managing risks, schedules, budgets, and client expectations.

Client and Partner Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with public and private sector clients, agencies, and project stakeholders.
• Serve as a key client contact, facilitating meetings, presentations, public hearings, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Collaborate across Dudek disciplines to deliver integrated solutions and exceptional client service.

Financial Performance and Contract Management

• Manage project budgets, forecasts, and contract requirements to support profitable project delivery.
• Identify and coordinate scope changes and contract amendments as needed.
• Review project financial performance and support timely invoicing and reporting.

Team Leadership and Mentorship

• Mentor and support the professional development of environmental planning staff.
• Provide technical guidance, project direction, and constructive feedback to team members.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment focused on quality and client success.

Technical and Regulatory Expertise

• Provide technical leadership in environmental planning, impact assessment, and CEQA/NEPA compliance.
• Ensure deliverables meet regulatory requirements, client expectations, and Dudek quality standards.
• Stay current on environmental regulations, industry trends, and best practices.

Business Development and Industry Engagement

• Support business development efforts through client relationships, proposal support, and identification of new opportunities.
• Represent Dudek through professional organizations, industry events, and community engagement.
• Collaborate with leadership and project teams to support strategic growth initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Urban and Regional Planning, Geography, or a closely related field.
• 12 or more years of professional experience in environmental planning, environmental impact assessment, and CEQA and/or NEPA document preparation.
• Demonstrated experience managing environmental planning projects, including oversight of contracts, budgets, schedules, technical staff, and subconsultants.
• Strong knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, environmental permitting, and regulatory compliance processes.
• Excellent communication, organization, project management, technical writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel as required for project and client needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience managing projects with a focus on natural resources and environmental compliance.
• Experience working with public agencies, private-sector clients, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Demonstrated success developing and maintaining client relationships and supporting business development efforts.
• Experience facilitating public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and presentations before public boards, commissions, and decision-making bodies.
• Proven ability to mentor staff and lead project teams in a collaborative environment.
• Active participation in professional organizations, industry associations, or conference presentations.

Compensation: $110,000-$160,000 annually*

*Finalagreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment.

Working Conditions

• This joboperatesin a remote or office-basedenvironmentand this role routine

• Thisjob requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following:

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing forlong periodsof time in an office or remote office setting.

• Attending meetings, both in person and virtually, and speaking on the phone with peers, clients, etc.
• Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Connect with us!

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Dudek Talent Community

Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair andequitableprocesses, based on merit, free from any discrimination.

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable lawsprovidingequal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to allpersonsinvolved in Dudek’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek’s commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action.

Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.