Senior Environmental Planner

ICF International; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF in California seeks a Senior Environmental Planner & Project Manager to lead complex environmental planning, permitting, and compliance for major infrastructure projects across the state.

You will mentor multidisciplinary teams, manage scope, schedules, and budgets, and guide CEQA/NEPA processes while engaging with clients and agencies to deliver integrated solutions that protect the environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Biology, Geography, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible environmental planning, environmental compliance, permitting, and project delivery experience.
• Experience managing complex CEQA and NEPA projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex environmental planning, permitting, and compliance efforts for California infrastructure projects.
• Manage large, high-profile projects across California with a focus on CEQA/NEPA.
• Guide regulatory strategy, agency consultations, and mitigation planning.
• Mentor multidisciplinary teams and strengthen client relationships while pursuing new business.

Skills

8+ years of environmental planning

Regulatory compliance

Project delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning or related field

Job description

Senior Environmental Planner & Project Manager

Hybrid or Remote within California

Help Shape the Future of California's Infrastructure and Communities

At ICF, we don't just navigate environmental challenges, we help our clients solve some of the most complex infrastructure, permitting, and sustainability issues facing California and the nation. We are enthusiastic about doing what is right for our clients, our people, the communities where we live and work, and the environment. We are planners, scientists, engineers, program managers, economists, communicators, and strategists united by a common purpose: delivering solutions that improve communities while protecting the environment.

As our energy, water, transportation, and infrastructure practices continue to grow, we are seeking an exceptional Senior Planner & Project Manager to join our California team. This is an opportunity for a seasoned environmental leader to drive strategic programs, lead multidisciplinary teams, grow key client relationships, mentor future leaders, and help shape major projects from concept through construction.

If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, enjoy developing innovative solutions to complex regulatory challenges, and are passionate about advancing projects that matter, we'd love to talk with you.

What You'll Do

As a Principal Environmental Planner & Project Manager, you will serve as a trusted advisor, project leader, and technical expert for public and private sector clients across California and beyond. You will lead complex environmental planning, permitting, and compliance efforts while helping expand ICF's market presence and mentoring the next generation of environmental professionals.

Leadership & Program Management

• Manage large, complex environmental planning and compliance projects across all sectors with a focus on water and infrastructure projects.
• Serve as a Senior Project Manager for high-profile projects.
• Management of federal, state, and local permitting and compliance for projects in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] and National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA] and other regulations.
• Serve as a point of contact with private, local, state, and federal government clients.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams of planners, engineers, scientists, economists, cultural resource specialists, biologists, environmental compliance professionals, and technologists.
• Manage project scope, budgets, schedules, quality, and risk while ensuring successful client outcomes.
• Foster collaboration across technical disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.

Environmental Planning, NEPA, CEQA & Permitting

• Lead preparation and review of complex CEQA and NEPA documentation.
• Lead regulatory strategy, agency consultation, mitigation planning, and environmental risk management for complex infrastructure projects, including development of avoidance, minimization, compensatory mitigation, and compliance approaches that support efficient project delivery.
• Provide technical expertise related to environmental regulations, permitting pathways, agency consultation, and environmental review processes.
• Guide clients through federal, state, and local permitting requirements and environmental compliance obligations.
• Review technical studies addressing biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, noise, hydrology, transportation, land use, and related disciplines.

Client Leadership & Business Development

• Serve as a point of contact and trusted advisor for public agencies, infrastructure owners, developers, and construction and engineering partners.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams through complex and high-visibility environmental review processes, including projects with significant public interest, interagency coordination, technical complexity, and schedule or permitting risk.
• Build and strengthen client relationships while identifying opportunities to expand existing contracts and develop new business.
• Manage proposal development, including strategy, capture planning, scopes of work, budgets, and pursuit teams.
• Help drive growth across California while contributing to national opportunities.

People Leadership

• Mentor, coach, and develop junior environmental professionals
• Provide technical oversight, quality reviews, and strategic guidance on complex projects.
• Help build and strengthen high-performing teams that deliver exceptional results for clients.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and growth-oriented culture.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Biology, Geography, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible environmental planning, environmental compliance, permitting, and project delivery experience.
• Experience managing complex CEQA and NEPA projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related discipline.
• Experience supporting t