Environmental Planner

Position Summary

The Environmental Planner is a mid-to-senior technical and leadership role responsible for environmental planning, regulatory compliance, permitting, construction-phase oversight, and project closeout for electric transmission and distribution projects in California. This position requires a minimum of 8-10 years of specialized California regulatory experience overseeing linear infrastructure projects, including conducting CEQA analyses, securing and overseeing administrative permits from cities, counties, and state/federal agencies, managing construction compliance, and completing project closeout activities.

• Support and contribute to the full lifecycle of environmental planning and compliance for electric transmission and distribution projects, including routing/siting support, CEQA documentation, permitting, construction oversight, and closeout.
• Conduct and support CEQA analyses and documentation, including preparation of Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), Initial Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Addenda, and coordination of supporting technical studies.
• Oversee permitting processes and obtain administrative permits from cities, counties, and various state and federal agencies for linear infrastructure projects.
• Oversee construction-phase environmental compliance, including coordination of environmental monitors, implementation of Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs (MMRPs), compliance reporting, and issue resolution.
• Support project closeout activities, including final compliance reports, mitigation verification, permit terminations, and record compilation.
• Provide regulatory guidance and support on California environmental requirements for electric transmission and distribution projects.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to quality reviews of environmental deliverables.
• Support project budgets, schedules, scopes, and proposal efforts as needed.
• Represent the organization at meetings and prepare presentations on environmental topics.
• Acknowledge and participate in OMS H&S programs and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by OMS or the client.

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Biology, Natural Resource Management, Urban/Regional Planning, or closely related field. Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of eight to ten (8-10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental planning, regulatory compliance, CEQA analyses, and linear infrastructure projects in California.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing linear infrastructure projects, including electric transmission and distribution in California.
• Experience conducting CEQA analyses and preparing related documentation for infrastructure projects.
• Experience obtaining administrative permits from cities, counties, and state agencies.
• Direct experience overseeing environmental compliance during construction, including field oversight and compliance documentation.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of CEQA statute and Guidelines, CPUC transmission project processes (including General Order 131-D/E and CPCN applications), California Fish and Game Code, federal and state Clean Water Act, Porter-Cologne Act, and relevant local environmental ordinances and general plans.
• Strong project management, team leadership, technical writing, and oral communication skills. Ability to synthesize complex technical information and present it clearly to regulators, executives, stakeholders, and the public.
• Valid California driver’s license and ability/willingness to travel to project sites across California (approximately 20–40% travel, including occasional overnight stays).
• Conduct a background check, drug screening, and physical exam.
• Must have a clean driving record.

• Direct experience supporting California Investor-Owned Utilities (PG&E, Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric) on electric transmission projects.
• Experience with NEPA compliance, particularly for projects involving federal lands (BLM, USFS), USACE permits, or federal funding.
• Professional certification such as AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners),…