Senior Project Manager – Environmental Planning & Permitting (CEQA)

Woodard & Curran; United States; Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodard & Curran, an employee-owned engineering and environmental firm, is seeking a Senior Project Manager with 15+ years of environmental planning and permitting experience to lead California and West Coast projects.

You will manage CEQA/NEPA reviews, coordinate agency interactions, mentor staff, and drive business development while traveling up to 20% to client sites and project delivery locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Biology, Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Forestry, or related discipline (Master's degree preferred).
• 15+ years of environmental planning and permitting experience for infrastructure, water resources, and site development.
• 8+ years of project management experience in a consulting environment.
• Knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act, and related regulations.
• Experience leading agency coordination, environmental review, and permitting efforts.

Responsibilities

• Identify environmental regulatory risks and develop strategic solutions.
• Lead CEQA/NEPA reviews from initiation to completion.
• Develop permitting strategies aligned with client objectives.
• Serve as primary contact with regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, forecasting, and invoicing.

Skills

Environmental planning

Agency coordination

Project leadership

Regulatory strategy

Client management

Regulatory writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or related

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Job description

Woodard & Curran is an employee-owned engineering, science, and operations firm dedicated to clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities, and happy people. We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports professional growth, flexibility, and meaningful work, empowering our employees to make a lasting impact on our clients, communities, and the planet.

What are we looking for:

Woodard & Curran is seeking a Senior Project Manager with 15+ years of environmental planning and permitting experience to support a growing portfolio of water resources, infrastructure, and environmental management projects throughout California and the West Coast. This individual will be a trusted advisor to clients, leading complex environmental review and permitting efforts while managing multidisciplinary teams, agency coordination, project delivery, and business development initiatives.

What’s in it for you?

Join a collaborative and employee-owned consulting firm where you'll have the opportunity to lead high-profile environmental planning and permitting projects, shape regulatory strategies for critical infrastructure investments, mentor emerging professionals, and contribute to strategic growth across the West Coast. You'll work alongside industry experts while helping clients navigate complex environmental challenges that make a positive impact on communities and natural resources.

Hybrid/Remote/Office

Hybrid or Remote (West Coast Preferred)

Location:

California or West Coast Region

Travel:

20% travel throughout California and the West Coast region for client meetings, project oversight, agency coordination, business development, and team collaboration.

What you will be doing at Woodard & Curran:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to clients by identifying environmental regulatory risks and developing strategic solutions
• Lead and manage complex CEQA (IS/MND, EIR) and NEPA (EA, EIS) environmental review and permitting projects from initiation through completion
• Develop regulatory and permitting strategies that align with client objectives and project goals
• Serve as the primary point of contact with regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and key project partners
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, forecasting, invoicing, and overall financial performance
• Perform technical review and QA/QC of environmental documentation, technical studies, field data, and subconsultant deliverables
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, including environmental specialists, engineers, and technical subconsultants
• Support client relationship management and business development efforts for existing and prospective clients
• Lead proposal development, strategic pursuits, and marketing initiatives
• Mentor and develop junior staff, project managers, and technical professionals across distributed teams
• Monitor project progress and technical delivery to ensure client satisfaction and successful outcomes

What will you need to succeed?

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Geology, Biology, Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Forestry, or a related discipline (Master's degree preferred)
• Minimum 15 years of environmental planning and permitting experience supporting infrastructure, water resources, and site development projects
• Minimum 8 years of project management experience in a consulting environment
• Extensive knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, the Clean Water Act, and related California and federal environmental regulations
• Proven experience leading agency coordination, environmental review processes, and permitting efforts
• Established relationships with California and regional regulatory agencies, including RWQCB, SWRCB, CDFW, DWR, USACE, and USFWS
• Experience developing permitting schedules, cost estimates, and environmental compliance programs
• Familiarity with environmental inspection and monitoring requirements during construction
• Strong understanding of infrastructure development and construction practices that minimize environmental impacts
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team management abilities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Existing network of environmental and technical subconsultants throughout California and the West Coast preferred

Woodard & Curran offers a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits & workplace policies visit Benefit & Policy Information - Woodard & Curran.

E-Verify Participation: Woodard & Curran participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. As part of this process, we provide access to the Right to Work & E-Verify postings.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility: Woodard & Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to non-discrimination and make employment decisions based on job-related factors. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

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