Environmental Program Manager

Position Summary:

The Environmental Program Manager is a technical and leadership role responsible for overseeing implementation of environmental planning, permitting, and construction of electric transmission projects in California. This position requires 7-15 years of specialized California regulatory experience overseeing stormwater, hazardous waste, CEQA compliance, water quality, and habitat restoration programs while protecting client schedules and budgets.

• Lead and manage the full lifecycle of environmental planning and compliance for electric transmission projects, from initial routing/siting studies through CEQA clearance, permitting, construction, and closeout.
• Complete preparation, quality control, and agency coordination of all CEQA documentation, including Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), Initial Studies, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Addenda, and supporting technical studies (biological resources, cultural resources, visual/aesthetics, air quality, noise, hydrology, traffic, etc.).
• Develop and execute strategic permitting plans; coordinate with and obtain all required administrative permits and approvals from cities, counties, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Regional Water Quality Control Boards, Caltrans, local Air Quality Management Districts, and other agencies.
• Oversee and direct construction-phase environmental compliance programs, including management of third-party environmental monitors, implementation and tracking of Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs (MMRPs), daily/weekly compliance reporting, issue identification and resolution, and proactive communication with regulatory agencies to maintain project momentum.
• Manage all project closeout activities: preparation and submittal of final mitigation monitoring and compliance reports, verification of habitat restoration and mitigation success, coordination of permit terminations and bond/excise releases, and compilation of complete, audit-ready environmental compliance records.
• Provide expert-level regulatory guidance, risk assessment, and strategic advice to project managers, engineers, legal teams, and clients on California environmental requirements specific to electric transmission and linear infrastructure.
• Mentor, supervise, and develop mid-level and junior environmental planners and technical staff; conduct quality reviews and ensure consistent high standards across deliverables.
• Manage environmental workstream budgets, schedules, and scopes; support proposal preparation, client relationship management, and business development activities as required.
• Represent the organization at public meetings, agency workshops, stakeholder forums, and executive briefings; prepare and deliver clear, persuasive presentations on complex environmental and regulatory 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 seven (7) to fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental planning, regulatory compliance, and CEQA documentation, with substantial focus on California-based projects.
• Demonstrated expertise and hands-on leadership overseeing electric transmission projects (or closely analogous linear infrastructure such as natural gas pipelines, renewable energy gen-tie lines, or major utility corridors) in California.
• Extensive experience preparing, managing, and securing approval of CEQA documents for complex or controversial infrastructure projects.
• Proven, successful track record obtaining administrative permits from multiple cities, counties, and state agencies for utility or energy infrastructure projects.
• Significant direct experience overseeing and directing environmental compliance during active construction, including field oversight, compliance documentation review, and real-time problem solving under schedule…