Environmental Planner 1

HDR, Inc.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 59,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Employee ownership culture

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement savings plan with employer

Job summary

HDR, Inc. seeks an Environmental Planner I to support utility clients with environmental compliance, permitting, and local planning in Colorado. Primary focus on construction stormwater permitting and broader local land use and development permitting support.

The role involves coordinating with HDR staff, clients, and agencies, reviewing plans, and producing permit documents while contributing to site visits and outreach. Hybrid work and office presence in Colorado are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Resources or Planning.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and in a team.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving and research abilities.
• Commitment to HDR's employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Review local, State, and Federal regulations for applicability to projects.
• Review engineering design packages for environmental/permitting compliance.
• Develop permitting matrices and timelines for client templates or schedules.
• Review plans, GIS/CAD mapping, local land use rules, and permit conditions.
• Manage simple permitting efforts and support complex permitting with the project manager.
• Coordinate with clients and agencies representing HDR.
• Direct internal resources (CAD/GIS, wildlife biologists, land agents) as needed.
• Lead erosion control and grading permit document production.

Skills

MS Office Suite

Strong writing skills

Excellent communication

Self-motivated

Organizational skills

Problem-solving & research

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Resources or Planning

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you'll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry‑recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You'll work side‑by‑side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

HDR is looking for an Environmental Planner I to support utility clients with environmental compliance, construction permitting, and local planning and permitting approvals. This role has a primary focus on construction stormwater management permitting and compliance, with supplemental work supporting local land use and planning approvals, development permitting, construction and right‑of‑way permitting, floodplain permitting, wetland permitting, public outreach, and wildlife compliance support.

In this role, the candidate would be expected to:

• Review local, State, and Federal regulations for applicability to projects
• Review engineering design packages for environmental / local permitting compliance
• Develop permitting matrices and timelines - for integration into client templates or overall schedules
• Review engineering plans, mapping (GIS/CAD), local land use regulations and permit conditions, and assist in preparing environmental compliance documents
• Manage simple permitting efforts, and support project manager with more complex permitting:
  • Compile permitting submittals inclusive of client provided and HDR produced documents, studies, or reports.
  • Facilitate comment response across multiple disciplines and project stakeholders
  • Upload and track permitting submittals through jurisdictional permitting portals
• Concisely communicate permit conditions and requirements to client representatives and their contractors
• Effectively communicate over phone, email, or messaging platforms
• Accommodate changing project schedules and scopes - shifting attention as needed.
• Manage tasks between competing project interests; track personal workload with support of supervisor.
• Support ongoing project compliance through construction (reviewing inspection reports, attending routine calls, post‑construction site visits and documentation)
• Perform pre‑construction and post‑construction site visits

Candidate responsibilities would evolve to include:

• Coordinating directly with client and permitting approval agencies representing HDR
• Directing internal resources/supporting staff (CAD/GIS, wildlife biologists, land agents, public outreach):
  • Coordinating/attending field visits
  • Communicating project scope and permit conditions to supporting staff
  • Overseeing deliverable production
• Managing deliverable production and distribution and conduct file management per client and internal specifications
• Development of figures and map sets in coordination with GIS/CAD staff
• Lead erosion control and grading permit document production including plan and report development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Capable of reading and understanding engineering plans for utility or land development projects
• Experience working on behalf of utilities clients
• Experience in local permitting or agency review processes.
• Strong technical writing skills, including experience drafting agency correspondence memorandums and emails, permit applications, and other project documentation.
• Experience on active construction sites.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work in an environment with changing deadlines and priorities.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to safely drive around the State either in personal car or Company rental is a must. A valid Colorado driver's license is required.

Our team understands the value of expanding individual work portfolios and experience to keep job duties interesting and achieve career sustainability and growth. Additional workload and type would depend on skills, experience, and interest. A comfort and enthusiasm interacting with a variety of individuals will help foster successful career growth.

Team members are currently working from Fort Collins, Denver, and remote locations along the front range and western slope of Colorado. The preferred candidate will be based out of the Fort Collins office. Flexibility on number of days in the office and working remotely is expected, with the assumption that the candidate would be in office 2‑3 days per week to facilitate training and skill development. Long‑term remote vs in office time is negotiable and will be based on past experience and level of training required. Our team encourages a healthy work‑life balance that focuses on quality of service to our clients and participation in recurrent meetings while allowing for flexibility in work schedules. Site visits are sporadic with limited/few visits during winter months and up to 2‑3 visits per month during busier months. Site visits rarely require overnight stay.

While this posting is for a full‑time (40‑hour per week) position, a part‑time (minimum 30‑hours per week) is also an option.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Resources or Planning
• Experienced in MS Office Suite
• Self-starter with excellent writing and communication skills
• Strong conceptual, organizational, problem‑solving and research abilities
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions. Temporary and part‑time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Colorado: $58,800.00 - $92,400.00

Primary Location: United States-Colorado-Denver

Other Locations: United States-Colorado-Fort Collins

Industry: Environment/Sciences

Schedule: Full‑time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Environmental Planning

Job Posting: Aug 25, 2026