Managing Consultant, Environmental Permitting & Planning

ERM; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 92,500 - 124,245; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k)

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Managing Consultant, Environmental Permitting & Planning Specialist for Northern California to lead compliance efforts on energy projects from planning through construction, ensuring CEQA, Clean Water Act, and ESA compliance across multiple sites.

The role requires a Bachelor’s or Master’s in environmental science/engineering, biology/ecology, planning or related field, 6+ years in compliance and permitting, strong regulatory knowledge, and travel with a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental science/engineering, biology/ecology, planning, or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in compliance management, impact assessment, and environmental permitting (consulting experience preferred).
• Strong knowledge of CEQA, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and related regulations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, including technical report writing.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Manage environmental compliance during construction, ensuring adherence to CEQA, Biological Opinions, Clean Water Act permits, Section 106 consultations, and other regulatory requirements.
• Interpret and implement mitigation measures; proactively resolve compliance issues.
• Coordinate field staff, including Environmental Inspectors, Biologists, Cultural Resource Specialists, and Water Quality Specialists.
• Provide technical consulting for permitting and compliance on power generation, transmission, and renewable energy projects.
• Support large compliance programs through data management and communication.
• Prepare impact assessment deliverables, including reports, data analysis, and recommendations.
• Collaborate with ERM teams across offices on environmental impact assessments, facility siting, risk assessment, and water resource management.
• Ensure all work meets ERM’s quality, budget, and schedule standards.
• Engage directly with clients and subject matter experts to deliver strategic compliance solutions.

Skills

Compliance management

Impact assessment

Environmental permitting

CEQA knowledge

Project management

Technical report writing

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental science/engineering, biology/ecology, planning, or related field

Job description

Are you ready to lead compliance efforts that keep California’s energy infrastructure moving forward? At ERM, we’re looking for a seasoned professional who thrives on solving complex regulatory challenges and managing high-stakes projects. If you’re passionate about driving results and influencing critical energy initiatives, this is your opportunity to make an impact with a global sustainability leader.

Why This Role Matters

California’s energy sector is evolving rapidly, and regulatory compliance is at the heart of every successful project. As a Managing Consultant, Environmental Permitting & PlanningSpecialist for our Northern California projects, you’ll ensure construction and permitting activities meet stringent environmental and safety standards—helping our clients deliver reliable, sustainable energy solutions while protecting communities and ecosystems.

What Your Impact Is

You’ll be the trusted advisor and problem-solver for energy clients, guiding compliance strategies from planning through construction. Your expertise will keep projects on track, mitigate risks, and uphold environmental integrity. By collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and regulatory agencies, you’ll shape outcomes that matter for California’s future.

What You’ll Bring

Required:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental science/engineering, biology/ecology, planning, or related field.

• 6+ years of experience in compliance management, impact assessment, and environmental permitting (consulting experience preferred).

• Strong knowledge of CEQA, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and related regulations.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines.

• Excellent communication skills, including technical report writing.

• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.

• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Preferred:

• 8+ years of compliance and permitting experience.

• Prior experience with CEQA documentation and CPUC projects.

• Familiarity with permitting under California Coastal Commission or Local Coastal Plans.

• Experience with BLM, US Forest Service, and multi-state permitting requirements (AZ, NV, CA).

Key Responsibilities

• Manage environmental compliance during construction, ensuring adherence to CEQA, Biological Opinions, Clean Water Act permits, Section 106 consultations, and other regulatory requirements.

• Interpret and implement mitigation measures; proactively resolve compliance issues.

• Coordinate field staff, including Environmental Inspectors, Biologists, Cultural Resource Specialists, and Water Quality Specialists.

• Provide technical consulting for permitting and compliance on power generation, transmission, and renewable energy projects.

• Support large compliance programs through data management and communication.

• Prepare impact assessment deliverables, including reports, data analysis, and recommendations.

• Collaborate with ERM teams across offices on environmental impact assessments, facility siting, risk assessment, and water resource management.

• Ensure all work meets ERM’s quality, budget, and schedule standards.

• Engage directly with clients and subject matter experts to deliver strategic compliance solutions.

For the Managing Consultant, Environmental Compliance Manager position, the anticipated annual base pay is $92,500–$124,245 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Note

Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

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