Senior Environmental Planner: Clean Energy Permitting Lead

Rincon Consultants; Riverside (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Rincon Consultants is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner to join the Energy and Utilities Team, supporting renewable energy and other energy infrastructure in California and the Western U.S. You’ll lead routing, siting, and permitting efforts, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and interact with clients and agencies.

The role emphasizes strong regulatory knowledge, project leadership, and the ability to guide complex environmental reviews while mentoring junior staff and contributing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Urban Planning, or related field.
• 7+ years of environmental planning, permitting, or environmental consulting experience.
• Experience supporting renewable energy, battery storage, or utility infrastructure projects in the Western U.S.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations and processes.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams and managing budgets/schedules.

Responsibilities

• Lead discretionary land use entitlement and permitting for energy projects.
• Coordinate routing, siting, and permitting for utility projects.
• Develop permitting and entitlement strategies to support development.
• Oversee routing studies, feasibility analyses, and permitting pathways.
• Collaborate with planners, biologists, engineers, and other specialists.
• Manage multiple projects’ tasks, budgets, and client communications.
• Prepare analyses for land use, zoning, and policy reviews.
• Interface with clients, agencies, and stakeholders during development.
• Support and lead agency consultations and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to QA/QC and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to business development and client relationship management.
• Advance clean energy delivery across the Western U.S.

Skills

Technical writing

Communication

Presentation

Client management

Analytical thinking

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Urban Planning, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Rincon Consultants is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner to join the Energy and Utilities Team, supporting renewable energy and other energy infrastructure in California and the Western U.S. You’ll lead routing, siting, and permitting efforts, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and interact with clients and agencies.

The role emphasizes strong regulatory knowledge, project leadership, and the ability to guide complex environmental reviews while mentoring junior staff and contributing