Senior Environmental Planner

LSA Associates, Inc.; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Long-term disability insurance

401k with matching

Job summary

LSA Associates, Inc. in Irvine seeks a Senior Environmental Planner with 5+ years of CEQA/NEPA experience. You will prepare environmental reports, lead client meetings, and coordinate with regulators while managing budgets and schedules.

The role offers flexible schedules with potential hybrid in-office/remote work and travel to project sites. Strong writing, budgeting, and project-management skills are essential for success in this fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of CEQA/NEPA document preparation experience.
• Experience in private environmental consulting preferred.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, schedules, and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Prepare technical reports and environmental documentation for CEQA/NEPA.
• Lead client and regulatory agency meetings and coordinate reviews.
• Manage scopes, budgets, schedules, and invoicing; supervise subconsultants.
• Prepare proposals and engage in business development activities.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Budget management

Project management

Client coordination

Business development

Proposal preparation

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's in Environmental Planning

Bachelor's in Environmental Studies

Bachelor's in Urban Planning

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

LSA's Irvine office is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner with 5 or more years of professional experience. Working independently and under the direction of a Project Manager, the Senior Environmental Planner will work collaboratively with colleagues and clients to prepare technical reports and environmental documentation, primarily in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for both public and private projects (e.g., transportation/transit, residential and commercial developments, utility corridors, parks, schools, and open space). City and County, California Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration, and resource agency permitting experience is a plus.

The ideal Senior Environmental Planner candidate will have a strong foundation in successfully obtaining environmental work, and will have established good working relationships with a diverse clientele. Candidate must have experience in writing environmental documents and conducting environmental analysis, and must have excellent writing skills. In addition, candidate must have experience overseeing all aspects of a project, including leading client and regulatory agency meetings; coordinating reviews with environmental and technical staff; scoping projects for the appropriate level of environmental review, budget control, and invoicing; maintaining schedules; managing subconsultants; and providing overall quality control. The ideal candidate will have the ability to manage several projects simultaneously. The successful candidate will also be expected to prepare proposals and to engage in business development activities.

LSA places a strong emphasis on previous technical experience, quality of work, and the ability to manage project budgets and schedules. Excellent communication skills, willingness to collaborate with others, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are essential.

Flexible workplace schedules may be arranged and allow for potential hybrid in-office/remote opportunities, subject to supervisor discretion. From time to time, travel to project sites and client meetings is also required.

Position Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible experience with the preparation of documents that comply with CEQA and/or NEPA, as well as knowledge of other federal, State, and local environmental statutes and regulations
• Experience in a private environmental consulting firm preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Studies, Environmental Planning, or a related field
• Advanced degree preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational, scheduling, and budget management skills
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work as a member of a fast-paced team
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously
• Business development, marketing, and proposal preparation
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $95,000 to $180,000 per year. The compensation offer will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience.

About the Organization

LSA is a diversified environmental, transportation, and community planning organization. We are recognized as innovators in the field of environmental impact assessment, and we have developed a reputation among clients and professional peers in both the public and private sectors as being thorough, innovative, and objective.

LSA's employee-owners are its most valuable resource. LSA fosters professional development and personal growth in an environment that offers opportunities for training and enrichment. LSA takes great pride in its work and looks for talented, dedicated professionals to join its team. We are always looking for energetic and enthusiastic people. If you enjoy working with clients and colleagues to plan and manage projects, we would like to hear from you.

LSA offers competitive pay, and for all eligible employees medical, dental, vision, long term disability, group life/AD&D insurance plans; vacation, sick, and holiday pay; an Employee Stock Ownership Plan; and a Profit Sharing and Savings Plan with 401k safe harbor match.

For more details about our employee benefits package please visit our Careers Page on our company website.

EOE Statement

LSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify.

LSA provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. All employment decisions at LSA are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Except where required or permitted by law, employment decisions will not be influenced by an individual’s actual or perceived—or association with others of an actual or perceived—age, ancestry, color, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), denial of Family and Medical Care Leave, disability (mental and physical), marital status, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, national origin, race, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by federal, State, or local laws.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Environmental Planning or related field.

Bachelors or better in Environmental Studies or related field.

Bachelors or better in Urban Planning or related field.

Experience

Required

5 years:

Minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible experience with the preparation of documents that comply with CEQA and/or NEPA, as well as knowledge of other federal, State, and local environmental statutes and regulations.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.