Senior Environmental Planner / Energy Project Manager

rinconconsultants; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Rincon Consultants is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner/Energy Project Manager in California to lead complex renewable energy, storage, and grid modernization projects from development through permitting.

This role emphasizes CEQA compliance, land use entitlement, and environmental permitting, with strong project leadership, client management, and team mentorship.

Hybrid work options are available, with preference for candidates near Rincon offices or within the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning or related field.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible environmental consulting experience.
• Proven CEQA document management experience.
• Strong project management, budgeting, scheduling, and client management.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental planning, permitting, and entitlement for renewable energy projects.
• Manage mid- to large-scale projects: scope, schedule, budgets, staffing, QA, client communication.
• Provide strategic guidance on environmental review and agency coordination.
• Mentor junior staff and promote technical excellence.
• Contribute to business development and opportunity identification.

Skills

CEQA experience

Project management

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's in Env Planning

Job description

About Us

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 600+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems. As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place To Work® certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Environmental Planner/Energy Project Manager to join our growing Energy Practice in California. We are seeking an experienced environmental consulting professional with expertise in CEQA compliance, land use entitlement, and environmental permitting, combined with strong project management, client relationship, and leadership skills. In this role, you will help guide some of California’s most complex renewable energy, energy storage, and grid modernization projects from early development through permitting and approval.

How We Collaborate

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office, but we are open to considering California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington-based applicants.

What You’ll Do

Project Leadership and Client Management

• Lead environmental planning, permitting, and entitlement efforts for renewable energy, battery energy storage, grid modernization and related infrastructure projects.
• Manage mid- to large-scale projects, including scopes, schedules, budgets, staffing, quality assurance, and client communication.
• Serve as a primary client contact and trusted advisor, providing strategic guidance regarding environmental review, permitting pathways, project risks, and agency coordination.
• Support early-stage project siting, due diligence, fatal flaw assessments, and permitting strategy development.
• Oversee interdisciplinary teams of technical experts.

Technical Leadership

• Lead preparation and review of CEQA documents.
• Support preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents as needed.
• Develop and implement land use entitlement strategies, including Conditional Use Permits, General Plan Amendments, zoning approvals, and local agency permitting processes.
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies and participate in public meetings, hearings, and stakeholder engagement efforts.

Business Development and Practice Growth

• Build and maintain strong client relationships while identifying opportunities for additional work and strategic growth.
• Support proposal development, interviews, project scoping, and cost estimating.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives that expand Rincon's Energy Practice and strengthen our presence within the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors.
• Serve in a project delivery and client development role that supports both successful project execution and long-term business growth.

Leadership and Mentoring

• Mentor and support junior and mid-level staff through technical guidance and professional development.
• Promote technical excellence, quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement across project teams.
• Help shape the future growth and success of Rincon's Energy Practice through leadership and knowledge sharing.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Studies, Geography, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• Ten (10) or more years of progressively responsible environmental consulting experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing CEQA documents.
• Strong project management experience, including budget, schedule, scope, and client management responsibilities.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and coordinating technical specialists.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, problem-speaking, and leadership abilities.

Nice to Have

• Experience supporting renewable energy, battery energy storage, transmission, utility, or other major infrastructure projects.
• Experience leading land use entitlement and permitting efforts with counties, cities, and other public agencies.
• Experience conducting environmental due diligence, site feasibility evaluations, and permitting strategy development.
• Existing client relationships within the energy, utility, infrastructure, or private development sectors.
• Proven success in business development, proposal preparation, and client account management.

Investing in You

The base salary range for this full-time position is $108,000–$155,000, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page.

Additional Employment Information

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.

Rincon Consultants does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.