Hybrid Energy Project Lead: Senior Environmental Planner

Rincon Consultants, Inc; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement benefits

Generous time off

Learning programs

Job summary

Rincon Consultants, Inc is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner/Project Manager to join its California Energy Practice. The role focuses on CEQA compliance, land use entitlement, and environmental permitting with strong project leadership and client management.

You will guide renewable energy, energy storage, and grid modernization projects from development through permitting, collaborating with utilities, developers, and agencies to ensure successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience managing CEQA documents.
• Strong project management skills including scope, schedule, and budget.
• Ability to build and maintain client relationships and lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; leadership abilities.
• Experience coordinating with agencies and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental planning, permitting, and entitlement efforts for renewable energy, storage, grid modernization and related infrastructure projects.
• Manage mid- to large-scale projects, including scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing, QA, and client communication.
• Serve as a primary client contact and trusted advisor on environmental review, permitting pathways, project risks, and agency coordination.
• Support early-stage siting, due diligence, and permitting strategy development.
• Oversee interdisciplinary teams of technical experts.
• Lead preparation and review of CEQA documents; support NEPA documents as needed.
• Develop and implement land use entitlement strategies with counties, cities, and local agencies.
• Coordinate with local/state/federal agencies and participate in public meetings and stakeholder engagement.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships; identify opportunities for growth; support proposals and scoping.
• Mentor junior staff and promote technical excellence and continuous improvement.

Skills

CEQA documents management

Project management

Client relationship

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning/Studies/Geography/Urban Planning

Job description

Rincon Consultants, Inc is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner/Project Manager to join its California Energy Practice. The role focuses on CEQA compliance, land use entitlement, and environmental permitting with strong project leadership and client management.

You will guide renewable energy, energy storage, and grid modernization projects from development through permitting, collaborating with utilities, developers, and agencies to ensure successful outcomes.