Job Description

Senior Environmental Planner / Project Manager

We are a California-based environmental consulting firm with 500+ professionals and over 30 years of experience serving clients across the transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. We are proud to be a Certified Great Place to Work, as reflected in the experiences our employees share on Glassdoor and the trust, connection, and sense of purpose felt across our company. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems. At Rincon, people come first. We value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can grow, contribute meaningfully, and do their best work.

About The Role

We are seeking a Senior Environmental Planner / Project Manager to join our Renewable Energy Group, with demonstrated experience in CEQA and land use entitlement. This role blends environmental planning expertise with project leadership in support of renewable energy infrastructure projects, including utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage. We're looking for a skilled environmental planner who can lead a project team and guide projects through California environmental permitting processesfrom constraints analysis and scoping through project entitlement and permitting. This role will be responsible for managing and preparing discretionary land use permit applications and CEQA/NEPA documents and coordinating with technical experts to deliver high-quality environmental studies and permits. This position also includes client interface and public presentations. Attention to detail, accountability, and the ability to lead and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams are essential.

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. Eligible office locations for this role include: Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

What You'll Do

Core Overview:

• Project management & technical execution
• Lead environmental planning projects from feasibility through land use entitlement and permitting.
• Prepare or oversee CEQA/NEPA documents
• Manage and conduct constraints analyses to assess project viability and inform planning decisions
• Manage scopes, schedules, budgets, and deliverables across multiple concurrent projects
• Contribute to QA/QC processes to support technical accuracy and consistency

Client Coordination & Regulatory Support:

• Serve as a point of contact for clients, agencies, and consultant teams
• Provide CEQA/NEPA guidance to support project planning and permitting
• Collaborate across disciplines to align environmental review with client goals and regulatory expectations

Team Collaboration & Business Development:

• Mentor junior staff and contribute to team knowledge-sharing
• Assist with staffing coordination, performance feedback, and career development
• Support proposal writing, cost estimating, and relationship-building in the renewable energy sector
• Represent Rincon in client meetings and at industry events

What You'll Bring

Minimum of 5 years of related experience working in California; environmental consulting firm experience is preferred but not required. BA/BS preferably in environmental science, urban planning or related discipline; an advanced degree is desired. Strong knowledge of environmental planning principles and practices, including CEQA/NEPA and other relevant federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with a large, multi-disciplinary team. Solid schedule and budget management abilities. Ability to travel periodically as projects require.

Investing In You

The base salary range for this full-time position is $88,000$140,000, 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.

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, Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification, gender expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, family care, marital status, military and veteran or qualified disabled veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. Rincon Consultants, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify Program to ensure that all employees hired are legally able to work in the United States.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs