Associate Environmental Specialist; Regulatory and Environmental Planner

The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District seeks an Regulatory and Environmental Planner (Associate Environmental Specialist). This position is assigned to the Regulatory Division in Riverside and is comparable to traditional Environmental Planner roles.

Individuals in this role will have prior planning experience and will support the District with a broad range of responsibilities related to environmental compliance under laws such as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Clean Water Act, the state and federal Endangered Species Acts, and the California Fish and Game Code. Key duties include performing and reviewing technical analyses for flood control projects to assess environmental impacts;

conducting field survey; and recommending appropriate mitigation measures in accordance with applicable environmental regulations and procedures. Additional responsibilities include preparing and reviewing environmental documents (e.g., CEQA analyses), as well as regulatory permit applications under Sections 404, 401, and 1600. Associate Regulatory and Environmental Planners may also be tasked with developing Requests for Proposals (RFPs), overseeing consultant deliverables, and coordinating with internal divisions and external agencies at the local, state, federal, or tribal level.

This role also involves providing technical support to Project Managers and mentoring Assistant or Junior level staff.

The ideal candidate will have experience serving as a project manager or task lead in a similar role at an environmental or engineering focused consulting firm or within a public works or land use/planning agency, and a background in preparing or reviewing technical studies, including NEPA or CEQA environmental documents (e.g., Environmental Impact Reports, Mitigated Negative Declarations, Negative Declarations, Notices of Exemption).

Experience in preparing, reviewing, or negotiating regulatory permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is highly desirable. Familiarity with projects located within the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) and/or the Coachella Valley MSHCP is also preferred.

The most competitive candidates will demonstrate a solid understanding of the principles and practices of urban and environmental planning, flood control, and land development. They should have experience interpreting and implementing relevant environmental laws and regulations, including CEQA, the National Historic Preservation Act, Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52), the Federal and California Endangered Species Acts, the Clean Water Act (Sections 401 and 404), and the California Fish and Game Code.

Strong analytical, report-writing, project/task management and verbal communication skills are essential, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.). Candidates should also be capable of reading and interpreting environmental documents and technical reports (Aquatic Resources Delineation Reports, biological resources reports, cultural resources reports, etc.), hydrology and hydraulics studies, drainage plans, and development proposals.

Positions assigned to the Regulatory Division ensure compliance with environmental regulations related to long-range planning, facility design and construction, maintenance and repair projects, and developing and managing mitigation sites and conservation lands. Incumbents apply regulatory requirements pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the state and federal Endangered Species Acts, California Fish and Game Code Section 1600, Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, and the Western Riverside County and the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans (MSHCPs).

Incumbents in this track assist with CEQA compliance, species and habitat management, regulatory permitting acquisition, negotiation and compliance, prepare or review environmental documents and technical studies, and coordinate with internal…