Environmental Planner

ABOUT THE POSITION

Environmental Planner | Boston, MA (Hybrid)

VHB'sEnvironmental Planning Teamcontractswith private, institutional, and public sectordeveloperclients to navigate the entitlement permitting process for real estate, transportation, energy, and aviation projects. We coordinate and conduct environmental impact analyses, prepare regulatory submissions, and shepherd projects throughthepublic review process— working directly withregulatorstorefine project designto address environmental and community impacts,demonstrate compliance,and secure the approvals needed to advance to final design and technical permitting.

The entitlementprocessis a pivotal stage ofadevelopmentproject:it iswhere projects are shaped, scrutinized, and ultimately validated against the laws and community expectations that govern how land gets used and how places get built.

Our team members sit at that intersection — translating complex regulatory requirements for clients,advocating forprojectsbeforeregulators, and finding the path forward when the twodo notimmediatelyalign.

The projects wework onbecomebuildings, transit systems, and infrastructure that define how communities grow and function — andwe havea meaningful opportunity to influence that outcome for the better.

It alsoprovidesan opportunity to work closely with an interdisciplinary project team of design professionals, including urban designers, building architects, landscape architects, civil engineers, transportation planners, sustainable design consultants, climate change resiliency planners,and energy modelers.

Responsibilities

This position offers both breadth and depth — a window into all aspects oflanddevelopment alongside the opportunity to specialize in areas that match your professional interests, whether that's sustainability, energy, climate resiliency, housing, multi-modal transportation, campus planning, policy and regulations, or something else entirely.

Ourteam invests in its people: expect a clear path for career development, active knowledge sharing, and genuine support for where you want to take your career.

You willalso build a professional networkthatfew roles in this field can match. This work puts you in regular contact with:

• Regulators across Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and municipalities throughout the Commonwealth
• Real estate developers, public agencies, and institutions — including higher education, healthcare, and civic and cultural organizations
• Architects, engineers, and urban planners
• Real estate, land use, and environmental attorneys
• Environmental and climatechange advocacy groups
• Professional real estate organizations

Skills and Qualifications

Successfulteammembers bring a combination of technical knowledge, communication ability, and project management instincts.

We are looking for candidates who have, or are actively building, the following:

Technical Knowledge

• Familiarity with environmental and land use regulatory frameworks, including the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA);
  
  National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA);municipal development review and approval processes such as City of Boston Article 80 review, City of Cambridge Article 19 review, and City of Somerville Development Review;as well as municipal zoning, and state permitting programs.
• Understanding ofthe real estate development process, from site control through permitting and into construction.
• Ability to read and interpret plans, drawings, and technical studies produced by engineers and architects.
• Working knowledge of relevant regulations,agencies,andpermittriggers.

Analysis and Writing

• Strong technical writing skills, with theabilityto synthesize complex information into clear, well-organized regulatory submissions and public documents.
• Ability to review and…