Energy Planner

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee‑owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the southeastern United States.

ESA is seeking a highly motivated Environmental/Energy Planner with 2‑7 years of related work experience, who can support various environmental compliance and regulatory processes for renewable energy and electrical infrastructure projects. This opportunity places a high value on collaboration, delivery, and quality work in a dynamic environment. The position requires onsite presence 2‑3 days per week at one of our Northern CA offices (Oakland or San Francisco).

• You are an early‑career to mid‑level professional with a strong desire to grow and advance your career, and to develop your planning and project management skills.
• You have a minimum of 2 years of related professional experience, at least some of which is in a consulting environment, with responsibilities including conducting research, fieldwork, analyzing impacts, and writing report sections.
• You apply critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to address basic project issues.
• Proficiency with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is required.
• Experience with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a plus.
• You hold a bachelor’s degree with major coursework in environmental science or a related interdisciplinary field.
• You have strong project management, writing, and analytical skills, and effective oral presentation skills with the ability to convey complex information understandably to various audiences.
• You are located in California, ideally in Northern California and able to work onsite 2‑3 days per week.

• Serve as an environmental planner, deputy project manager, and/or contributing author for CEQA and NEPA documents for a variety of energy‑related projects.
• Manage tasks as task manager or deputy project manager, supporting the project manager with tracking scope, schedule, budget, invoicing; handle project logistics; disseminate and maintain related information and resources; meet with team members to gauge progress; respond to team member questions; prepare project research and analysis; support public outreach; and deliver project assignments on time and within budget.
• Demonstrate strong writing and attentive listening skills; participate in client meetings; and present information understandably and speak persuasively about moderate to complex topics to clients, agency staff, teaming partners, other stakeholders, and the general public.
• May be involved in routine marketing tasks, such as preparing sections for proposals.
• Thrive in a fast‑paced, challenging environment and manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, while working independently or as part of a team.
• What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close‑knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company shares through our employee‑stock‑ownership plan (ESOP), a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. Spot and annual bonuses are available to reward the highest caliber work.

We also provide specific programs to help you further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or lead the next generation of employee‑owners. We support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and conference attendance.

We have managed the environmental analysis and permitting of more than 1,000 miles of electric transmission line and analyzed more than 16,000 MW of solar energy and nearly 1,300 MW of wind energy, as well as geothermal,…