Environmental Planner II

HDR, Inc.; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 77,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership benefits

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off and holidays

Retirement savings plan with employer

Job summary

HDR, Inc. in Honolulu leads environmental planning efforts across Hawaii. The Environmental Planner II will contribute to planning, documentation, and permitting projects, working with senior staff and clients to deliver clear technical outputs.

Responsibilities include preparing NEPA and HRS Chapter 343 documents, coordinating with regulatory agencies, and mentoring junior staff. Occasional travel within Hawaii is required as project needs demand.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in environmental planning or related field.
• 6+ years in environmental planning, documentation or permitting.
• Experience with NEPA and HRS 343 documents.
• Experience evaluating environmental impacts and mitigation measures.
• Understanding of environmental permitting processes and coordination.
• Strong writing, research, organization and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare environmental review documents per NEPA, HRS 343 and applicable requirements.
• Conduct environmental and land-use research and develop mitigation measures.
• Prepare technical reports, environmental assessments and permit applications.
• Coordinate with biological, cultural, archaeological and engineering specialists and integrate findings.
• Support permitting with federal, state and county agencies.
• Lead or deputy project management for environmental planning tasks, schedules and budgets.
• Perform quality-control reviews of documents and deliverables.
• Mentor junior planning staff and support workload planning and proposals.

Skills

Technical writing

Research

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental planning

Master's degree in environmental planning

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

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?

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.

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.

In the role of Environmental Planner II, you will contribute to and help manage a wide variety of environmental planning, documentation, and permitting projects throughout Hawaii. Working collaboratively with senior planners, project managers, technical specialists, and clients, you will:

• Prepare environmental review documents pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 343, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other applicable federal, state, and county requirements.
• Conduct environmental and land‑use research; evaluate potential project impacts; and develop practical avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures.
• Prepare clear, well‑organized technical reports, environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, permit applications, planning studies, and related deliverables.
• Coordinate with biological, cultural, archaeological, engineering, and other technical specialists, and integrate their findings into environmental documents.
• Support federal, State of Hawaii, and county environmental permitting and agency consultation.
• Evaluate project consistency with state and county land‑use plans, policies, zoning requirements, and regulatory programs.
• Serve as a task lead or deputy project manager for environmental planning assignments, including managing schedules, budgets, deliverables, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Perform quality‑control reviews of environmental documents, technical studies, permit applications, and supporting materials.
• Coordinate with clients, regulatory agencies, subconsultants, community stakeholders, and project team members.
• Support public involvement activities, including public meetings, agency consultations, presentation materials, and responses to public comments.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior planning staff.
• Assist with workload planning and efficient use of project resources.
• Support proposal preparation, scopes of work, cost estimates, interviews, and other business‑development activities.
• Participate in professional organizations and industry events and help strengthen the firm's environmental planning practice in Hawaii.
• Promote a culture of quality, collaboration, safety, and environmental stewardship.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, urban and regional planning, environmental science, geography, natural resources, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in environmental planning, documentation, permitting, or regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience preparing or contributing substantially to environmental review documents, preferably including HRS Chapter 343 and/or NEPA documents.
• Experience evaluating environmental impacts and preparing avoidance, minimization, or mitigation measures.
• Understanding of environmental permitting processes and coordination with regulatory agencies.
• Strong technical writing, research, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex technical information into clear and understandable documents.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams and managing individual tasks or smaller projects.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to travel within Hawaii and occasionally to other locations, as project needs require.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in our employee‑owned culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in environmental planning, environmental science, urban and regional planning, or a related field.
• Seven to nine years of environmental planning or consulting experience.
• Experience with Hawaii's environmental review, land‑use, and permitting requirements, including HRS Chapters 343, 205, 205A, and 6E.
• Familiarity with State of Hawaii and county planning and permitting agencies.
• Experience with federal environmental requirements, including NEPA, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Clean Water Act permitting.
• Experience preparing environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, permit applications, and land‑use entitlement documents.
• Experience with projects involving transportation, utilities, energy, water, coastal resources, or public infrastructure.
• Knowledge of Hawaii's cultural, biological, archaeological, and community considerations.
• Experience with GIS, Microsoft Project, document production, and technical graphics.
• Previous environmental consulting experience.
• AICP certification or other relevant professional certification.

#LI-JC8

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning or closely related field
• A minimum of 5 years experience in planning and design
• AICP certification desired
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs
• Extensive graphics and report document production experience
• Experience with GIS
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Leadership skills and ability to work in a team environment
• May require the ability to travel
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must

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.) {Honolulu, Hawaii}: $77,175-$111,000