Senior Regulatory Specialist

BKF Engineers, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

End of year bonuses

Profit sharing

401k

Generous PTO

9 paid holidays

Education reimbursement

Dues for professional organizations

Job summary

BKF Engineers, Inc. seeks a Senior Regulatory Specialist and Project Manager to lead environmental permitting and regulatory compliance across California. The role combines permitting leadership with senior project management, client coordination, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years in leadership, deep regulatory knowledge, and strong client communication. Hybrid work between California offices and home is available, with potential for remote work as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science.
• Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Strong understanding of federal and state environmental regulations and laws.
• Ability to manage teams and communicate with clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead regulatory permitting efforts across California, including required permits and analyses.
• Support business development and secure contracts for projects.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary BKF teams to deliver timely, quality work.
• Potentially serve as project biologist or wetland delineation expert if qualified.

Skills

Regulatory permitting

Project management

Client communication

Team leadership

Environmental regulations knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s in environmental science

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

At BKF, we’re not just growing—we’re thriving! As a dynamic multi-service consulting firm, we specialize in planning, environmental compliance, engineering, surveying, and construction management. With more than 20 West Coast offices, we’ve been a trusted partner in the land development, transportation, water resources, and government services and markets for over 110 years. Our firm combines deep technical resources with a collaborative approach to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that bring community visions to life. If you’re looking to be part of a forward-thinking company that’s making a real impact, BKF is the place for you!

BKF is hiring a Senior Regulatory Specialist and Project Manager to support our burgeoning team of biologists, CEQA/NEPA practitioners, engineers, and planners. This position has the option of being remote (with the ability to be in an office when necessary), or hybrid (sharing time between one of our California offices and home). The ideal candidate will be able to serve two roles: permitting and regulatory compliance specialist and senior project manager.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

BKF is seeking a self-driven, results-oriented and experienced regulatory permitting specialist to support our growing environmental consulting practice throughout California. Job duties include:

• Support clients in need of environmental permitting, including but not limited to Incidental Take Permits, Habitat Conservation Plan Drafting and consistency analyses, Clean Water Act 401 and 404 permits, USACE 408 permits, California Coastal Commission permits, and CDFW Section 1600 permitting. The ideal candidate will have experience providing project budgets and task descriptions, managing task budgets, and interacting with clients. The ideal candidate has the experience to identify and compare multiple permitting pathways for clients to consider.

• Participate in business development and work collaboratively to secure contracts.
• Support other divisions within BKF on multi-disciplinary pursuits.
• Ensure that team provides timely deliverables and updates to internal and external partners and clients and manages budgets to maximize financial performance. The ideal candidate will have experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• While not required, highly qualified candidates could also serve as a project biologist or wetland delineation expert.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in environmental science.
• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in progressive leadership roles with oversight of cultural resource professionals.
• Strong understanding of federal and state environmental regulations and laws.
• A high-energy, passionate, results-oriented team player and resourceful leader.
• Ability to effectively manage teams and communicate with clients.
• Valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driver’s record are required

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high‑stress, fast‑paced, deadline‑oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

• The typical base salary range for this position is $140,000 to $180,000, salary annualized, depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
• Competitive salaries, end of year bonuses, profit sharing, and 401k.
• Generous paid time off packages.
• 9 Paid Holidays.
• Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
• BKF offers competitive and award‑winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF Engineers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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