Senior Environmental Planner

HDR; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Employee ownership

Job summary

HDR is a global employee-owned firm delivering sustainable transportation and infrastructure solutions. As a Senior Environmental Planner in HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you will lead the preparation of CEQA and NEPA documents across diverse sectors, mentor staff, and help shape client‑facing strategies while promoting a culture of safety and quality.

The role emphasizes leadership, project management, and collaboration with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver compliant environmental

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or closely related field.
• A minimum of 10 years technical and/or field experience in complex environmental planning projects.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite
• Self-starter with excellent writing and communication skills
• Strong conceptual, organizational, problem-solving and research abilities
• Technical and/or field experience dealing with environmental impact issues, permit processes and documentation preparation/review

Responsibilities

• Manage the preparation of large-scale CEQA & NEPA documents for a wide-range of project types/sectors.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of assigned sector; improve performance and efficiency; manage staff utilization and profitability.
• Track personnel actions and staff development including recruiting and training measures.
• Lead sector quality control and ensure proactive project management.
• Provide hands-on mentoring and bridge between technical resources and client requirements.
• Support client development leadership to prioritize marketing and business development efforts.

Skills

Writing

Communication

Problem-solving

Research

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science

Master’s degree in environmental science or related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Teams

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

In the role of Senior Environmental Planner, we'll count on you to:

• Manage the preparation of large-scale CEQA & NEPA documents for a wide-range of project types/sectors.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of assigned sector; recommend measures to improve performance and increase efficiency; manage staff utilization and profitability.
• Track personnel actions and staff development including support for recruiting and hiring and training measures for assigned staff.
• Lead sector quality control, including assurance that quality work is planned and organized through a pro-active project management system, and implements corrective measures as needed.
• Provide hands‑on mentoring and team participation to create a bridge between technical resources and client requirements and ensure there is appropriate leadership and supervision engaged on technical assignments.
• Work with client development leadership to prioritize the marketing and business development efforts of the organization and prioritizes business efforts that provide maximum return on investment.
• Champion a quality‑culture within the sector organization, and within production teams, serving the sector’s clients.
• Direct the technical messaging and professional attendance at professional organizations and industry events.
• Promote the Drive to Zero culture where safety of staff and clients is paramount.
• Interpret, implement, and enforce company policies.
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in environmental science or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in environmental technical writing, CEQA & NEPA document preparation and substantial knowledge of endangered species act and regulatory permitting requirements.
• Experience with Microsoft Project and Teams
• Previous consulting industry experience
• Experience with California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and/or New Mexico markets

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or closely related field
• A minimum of 10 years technical and/or field experience in complex environmental planning projects
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite
• Self-starter with excellent writing and communication skills
• Strong conceptual, organizational, problem-solving and research abilities
• Technical and/or field experience dealing with environmental impact issues, associated permit processes and documentation preparation/review
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Pay Transparency : $104,000- $152,000 Primary Location:United States-California-San Diego Other Locations:United States-California-Irvine, United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-California-Long Beach Industry:Environment/Sciences Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Environmental Planning Job Posting:Oct 1, 2026} At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.