Planning Senior Technical Lead

Verdantas-1; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Flexible work environment

Parental leave

Job summary

Verdantas is seeking a Senior Technical Lead in Planning to shape strategic direction, lead major planning contracts, and mentor teams across public agencies and regional stakeholders. This role requires delivering high-impact planning services, with national scope and expert regulatory insight.

The position emphasizes leadership, business development, and thought leadership within a growth-focused planning practice, across diverse projects and jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Urban Design.
• AICP certification required; national recognition preferred.
• Experience leading complex, multi-jurisdictional planning engagements.

Responsibilities

• Establish technical direction and best practices for planning practice.
• Lead major planning contracts and long-range initiatives with national impact.
• Provide expert testimony in regulatory proceedings and engage stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Urban Design

AICP Certification

Job description

Welcome to Verdantas, where innovation meets sustainability, and your career finds purpose!At Verdantas, we’re redefining environmental consulting and sustainable engineering through our use of cutting-edge modeling and digital technology and our genuine commitment to people. Our work spans high-growth sectors like water resources, resilient land use, energy transformation, and civil infrastructure.Our commitment to excellence, across more than 90 offices, is championed by a team of over 2,000 experts, scientists, engineers, geologists, and technical specialists, embedded in a people-focused culture, prioritizing the well-being of our employees, clients, and the communities we serve. We partner with clients to deliver smart, data-driven solutions to complex environmental and infrastructure challenges. We don’t just solve problems; we help shape a more sustainable future.Join a people-first culture that values your well-being, empowers your growth, and amplifies your impact. At Verdantas, your career goes beyond the expected, and your work helps build a better world.Ready to shape the future of resilient communities?We are seeking an experienced Senior Technical Lead to join our Planning & Advisory Services practice, which delivers high-impact land use planning, long-range policy development, environmental review, and community advisory services to public agencies and regional stakeholders nationwide.The Senior Technical Lead, Planning is Verdantas' most senior planning authority, a nationally recognized expert who shapes the strategic direction of the planning practice, leads the firm's most complex and consequential planning engagements, and serves as a trusted advisor to public officials, regional stakeholders, and planning bodies.Building on the Technical Lead foundation of leading major planning contracts, long-range initiatives, and complex policy development, the Senior Technical Lead operates with the broadest scope of influence, driving firmwide planning strategy, cultivating landmark client relationships, and setting the standard for technical excellence and professional development across the practice.What You'll Do:Technical DeliveryEstablish technical direction, methodologies, and best practices for the planning practiceLead major planning contracts, long-range planning initiatives, and complex policy development projects with regional or national impactReview and approve high-complexity deliverables, including:Comprehensive and master plansEnvironmental Impact Statements (EIS/EIR)Complex entitlement applications and packagesPolicy and regulatory documentsEnsure technical quality, consistency, and methodological rigor across all planning projectsProvide expert testimony in regulatory, legislative, and legal proceedingsDirect multidisciplinary project teams in collaboration with Engineering, Environmental, Transportation, Natural Resources, and Grants/Funding specialistsClient & Stakeholder EngagementServe as a trusted advisor to public planning officials, government agencies, and regional stakeholdersRepresent Verdantas at industry conferences, professional associations, public forums, and regulatory proceedingsLead strategic planning pursuits and cultivate long-term relationships with key clients and agency partnersStrengthen Verdantas' visibility, reputation, and influence within the planning professionRegulatory Compliance & DocumentationProvide expert interpretation of planning laws, zoning ordinances, land use regulations, and development codesAdvise project teams, clients, and leadership on regulatory requirements and compliance strategiesMonitor emerging regulatory, legislative, and policy trends affecting planning and developmentIdentify and communicate potential risks, opportunities, and strategic implications for clients and the firmBusiness DevelopmentLead pursuit strategy and proposal development for major planning and advisory opportunitiesDevelop and maintain executive-level relationships with public agencies, municipalities, and regional stakeholdersDrive growth through service line expansion, innovation, and emerging planning practice areasEstablish thought leadership through industry engagement, publications, presentations, and professional participationContribute to strategic planning efforts that differentiate Verdantas in competitive marketsPeople & Team DevelopmentMentor and coach junior and mid-level planners across the practiceEstablish and maintain technical standards, guidance, and quality expectations for planning servicesSupport employee career development, including AICP certification and professional advancementParticipate in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and succession planning initiativesDesign and deliver firm-wide training programs that reflect industry best practices and evolving planning trendsFoster a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous learning across the planning teamWhat You'll Bring:Bachelor's or Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Urban Design, or a related field; Master's degree preferredAICP certification required; national recognition in the planning field strongly preferredDemonstrated experience providing expert testimony and leading complex, multi-jurisdictional planning engagementsComprehensive PlanningPolicy Research and AnalysisBuilt Environment PlanningRegulatory ComplianceRegulatory Stakeholder ManagementBusiness DevelopmentSalary Range:At Verdantas, we offer comprehensive benefits packages for our employees. Actual salary is based on the circumstances of each position and candidate, such as geographic location, skills, and certifications. We recognize and reward exceptional performance and strive to ensure fair compensation across all roles and departments within the company. The salary range for this position is $140,000 - $160,000 (negotiable based on the criteria presented above).Benefits:Flexible Work EnvironmentPaid Parental LeaveMedicalDentalVisionLife and AD&D InsuranceShort-Term and Long-Term Disability401(k) with Company MatchPaid Time Off + HolidaysVerdantas strives to develop new ways to increase diversity awareness within our organization. We recruit and reward our employees based on capability and performance — regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability. For us, it is imperative to build balanced teams from all walks of life and we believe that a diverse workforce is a stronger workforce.Verdantas is an EOE race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet