Planning Senior Technical Lead

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

Job summary

Verdantas in the United States seeks a Senior Technical Lead, Planning to shape strategic direction and lead high-impact land use planning engagements for public agencies and regional bodies.

You will guide multi-disciplinary teams across engineering, environmental, transportation, and grants/funding domains, develop policy and regulatory strategies, and mentor junior planners while expanding Verdantas' national practice in planning and advisory services.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Establish technical direction and best practices for the planning practice.
• Lead major planning contracts and long-range planning initiatives.
• Review and approve complex deliverables such as EIS/EIRs and master plans.
• Provide expert testimony in regulatory, legislative, and legal proceedings.
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams with engineering, environmental, transportation, natural resources.
• Lead pursuit strategy and proposal development for major planning opportunities.
• Develop executive-level relationships with public agencies.

Skills

Public engagement

Strategic planning

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Proposal development

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Urban Planning

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 Delivery Establish technical direction, methodologies, and best practices for the planning practice
• Lead major planning contracts, long-range planning initiatives, and complex policy development projects with regional or national impact
• Review and approve high-complexity deliverables, including:
  • Comprehensive and master plans
  • Environmental Impact Statements (EIS/EIR)
  • Complex entitlement applications and packages
  • Policy and regulatory documents
• Ensure technical quality, consistency, and methodological rigor across all planning projects
• Provide expert testimony in regulatory, legislative, and legal proceedings
• Direct multidisciplinary project teams in collaboration with Engineering, Environmental, Transportation, Natural Resources, and Grants/Funding specialists
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as a trusted advisor to public planning officials, government agencies, and regional stakeholders
• Represent Verdantas at industry conferences, professional associations, public forums, and regulatory proceedings
• Lead strategic planning pursuits and cultivate long-term relationships with key clients and agency partners
• Strengthen Verdantas' visibility, reputation, and influence within the planning profession
• Regulatory Compliance & Documentation Provide expert interpretation of planning laws, zoning ordinances, land use regulations, and development codes
• Advise project teams, clients, and leadership on regulatory requirements and compliance strategies
• Monitor emerging regulatory, legislative, and policy trends affecting planning and development
• Identify and communicate potential risks, opportunities, and strategic implications for clients and the firm
• Business Development Lead pursuit strategy and proposal development for major planning and advisory opportunities
• Develop and maintain executive-level relationships with public agencies, municipalities, and regional stakeholders
• Drive growth through service line expansion, innovation, and emerging planning practice areas
• Establish thought leadership through industry engagement, publications, presentations, and professional participation
• Contribute to strategic planning efforts that differentiate Verdantas in competitive markets
• People & Team Development Mentor and coach junior and mid-level planners across the practice
• Establish and maintain technical standards, guidance, and quality expectations for planning services
• Support employee career development, including AICP certification and professional advancement
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, and succession planning initiatives
• Design and deliver firm-wide training programs that reflect industry best practices and evolving planning trends
• Foster a culture of collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous learning across the planning team

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Urban Design, or a related field; Master's degree preferred
• AICP certification required; national recognition in the planning field strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience providing expert testimony and leading complex, multi-jurisdictional planning engagements
• Comprehensive Planning Policy Research and Analysis Built Environment Planning Regulatory Compliance Regulatory Stakeholder Management Business Development

Salary 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 Environment
• Paid Parental Leave
• Medical Dental Vision
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off + Holidays

Verdantas 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