Planner - CEQA

Verdantas; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Verdantas in California is seeking an experienced environmental planning professional to lead complex CEQA reviews and manage multidisciplinary teams. The senior role requires independent EIR preparation from scoping through certification, with strong writing and client advisory skills.

You will mentor staff, ensure QA/QC, and support business development while navigating regulatory processes. The successful candidate will oversee agency consultations, stakeholder engagement, and public

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Geography, Biology, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of CEQA experience with environmental planning and EIR preparation.
• Independent management of full EIRs, including scoping, impact analysis, mitigation, and findings.
• Strong knowledge of CEQA statutes, guidelines, and defensible document development.
• Proven track record managing scopes, budgets, schedules, teams, and client expectations.
• Excellent technical writing, editing, presentation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and management of CEQA documents, including Initial Studies, ND/MDNDs, full EIRs, and related reports.
• Manage complex environmental planning projects from initiation to completion, including scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and QA/QC.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams and integrate biological, cultural, air quality, hydrology, and other analyses into CEQA documents.
• Develop environmental review strategies, evaluate impacts and alternatives, and guide clients through CEQA decisions.
• Lead agency consultation, stakeholder engagement, public meetings, and hearings while coordinating with stakeholders and regulators.
• Support client development, proposals, fee development, and interviews while mentoring staff.

Skills

CEQA

Environmental planning

Project leadership

Technical writing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning or related field

Job description

Verdantas is seeking an experienced environmental planning professional to join our growing California team. This senior-level position requires a seasoned CEQA practitioner who can independently lead complex environmental reviews, manage multidisciplinary teams, and serve as a trusted advisor to public- and private-sector clients.

The successful candidate must have demonstrated experience preparing and managing full Environmental Impact Reports from project initiation through certification, including scoping, technical oversight, impact and alternatives analysis, public review, responses to comments, CEQA findings, and mitigation monitoring.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and management of CEQA documents, including Initial Studies, Negative and Mitigated Negative Declarations, full EIRs, Subsequent and Supplemental EIRs, Addenda, Findings of Fact, Statements of Overriding Considerations, and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs.


• Manage complex environmental planning projects from initiation through completion, with responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, staffing, document quality, risk management, and client communication.


• Direct multidisciplinary teams and integrate biological, cultural, tribal cultural, air quality, greenhouse gas, noise, transportation, hydrology, land use, and other technical analyses into clear and legally defensible CEQA documents.


• Develop environmental review strategies, evaluate impacts and alternatives, formulate feasible mitigation measures, and guide clients through complex CEQA decisions and approval processes.


• Lead agency consultation, stakeholder engagement, public meetings, and hearings while coordinating with project proponents, regulatory agencies, legal counsel, technical specialists, and decision-makers.


• Support client development, proposals, project scoping, fee development, and interviews while mentoring staff and providing QA/QC review of environmental documents and technical studies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Geography, Biology, or a related field.


• At least 10 years of progressively responsible environmental planning and CEQA experience, preferably in environmental consulting.


• Demonstrated ability to independently manage and prepare full EIRs, including scoping, impact analysis, alternatives, mitigation, responses to comments, findings, MMRPs, and certification support.


• Strong knowledge of the CEQA Statute and Guidelines, California environmental regulations, and the requirements for developing defensible environmental documents.


• Proven experience managing scopes, budgets, schedules, multidisciplinary teams, subconsultants, client expectations, and concurrent assignments.


• Excellent technical writing, editing, presentation, communication, and client management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with NEPA compliance, including Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements.


• AICP certification, an advanced degree, or another relevant professional credential.


• Experience supporting infrastructure, utility, energy, water, transportation, public agency, higher education, or community development projects.


• Established California client relationships and experience supporting proposals, interviews, and business development.


• Familiarity with GIS, environmental permitting, and regulatory compliance strategies.