Senior Environmental Planner & Project Manager - Energy

Society for Conservation Biology; Sacramento (CA); Remote; USD 88,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner & Project Manager to lead environmental compliance for renewable energy projects. In this dynamic role, you will oversee project teams, manage client relationships, and ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in environmental planning, project management, and client engagement, contributing to the growth of renewable energy services. This role offers an opportunity to work collaboratively with a diverse team, making a positive impact on sustainable energy initiatives while navigating complex challenges in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in energy-focused environmental planning.
• Strong understanding of California Public Utilities Commission regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental compliance for utility and renewable energy projects.
• Manage multiple projects and client relationships effectively.
• Support business development activities and proposal preparations.

Skills

Project Management

Environmental Compliance

Client Relationship Management

Regulatory Permitting

Technical Writing

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science

Master’s degree in related field

Job description

Senior Environmental Planner & Project Manager - Energy

San Diego, CA, Sacramento, CA or Southern or Northern CA Remote

We are the Environment & Planning Division of ICF. We are passionate about doing what’s right for our clients, our people, the communities where we live and work, and the environment. We are planners, scientists, program managers, communicators, economists, technologists, and strategists. We are collaborative, curious, and committed to excellence—these are qualities we value that make us who we are and inspire us to grow.

ICF is seeking an experienced Project Manager and Environmental Planner with consulting and/or utilities experience to play a key role in our growing energy business in California. The ideal candidate will have electrical or gas transmission, power generation or energy project and client management experience with technical expertise leading environmental permitting, state entitlement process, construction compliance support and associated regulations.

Job Description:

The primary duty of this role is to lead the development and implementation of environmental and regulatory compliance strategies and documents for renewable energy and transmission projects. This person will work directly with clients, and sometimes engineers, and construction team members, to support environmental assessments to inform project design and permitting strategies, as well as regulatory permitting and agency consultation, construction compliance, and post construction restoration activities.

A strong working knowledge of the environmental regulatory framework that guides utility and renewable energy projects, including California Public Utilities Commission regulations, environmental compliance processes, interpretation of engineering and design materials, and experience working directly with utilities, as well as private sector clients such as renewable energy developers is preferred. At a minimum, the position requires experience preparing environmental or local development related permit applications, drafting technical reports and deliverables, managing, and tracking multiple projects and project teams concurrently, and working effectively with external clients. You will lead business development activities and then manage these projects with support from a team to successful completion. You will assist in growing renewables and transmission environmental services and manage client relationships.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a project manager or task manager as appropriate for environmental compliance for utility and renewable energy projects, overseeing the project team, preparation of documents, reports, presentations, technical memoranda, forms, and other work products. Manage field work and teams, including subconsultants as necessary.
• Conduct research; write proficiently; and manage multiple project schedules with competing deadlines and budget constraints.
• Build relationships with clients and substantially contribute to business development throughout Southern California. Support business development activities including proposal preparation, interview participation, and strategic business planning.
• Manage and author deliverables.
• Be a collaborative member of an integrated project team of engineers, scientists, planners, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Clearly communicate timelines and gather data from individuals across multiple lines of business and departments and follow up, as necessary.
• Professionally manage relations and expectations with clients while identifying new opportunities for business development.
• Lead and/or participate in regular internal and external team meetings with the potential for occasional travel to client offices and remote project sites.
• A desire to lead internal teams of staff and subconsultants to exceed client expectations in an environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and clear communication in a fast-paced setting with competing demands.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental science, biology, planning, communications, or related field.
• 5+ years of energy and/or utility-focused environmental planning and/or professional-related experience in a consulting or team-based environment.

Professional Skills:

• Experience obtaining environmental permits and reviewing technical studies such as those addressing biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, noise, traffic, and hydrology.
• Working knowledge of California Public Utilities Commission General Order 131-E and other related Commission regulations.
• Project management experience working within a private consulting firm including the ability to take and give directions, stay organized, and manage time effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience interfacing with internal staff, external clients, members of the public, and agencies such as BLM, CPUC, USFS.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Possess analytic, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.
• Proven success in working well independently and operating collaboratively on a team to resolve challenges in a neutral fashion.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email [e-mail] and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$88,817.00 - $150,989.00 California Remote Office (CA99)