Senior Planner

Overview

SENIOR PLANNER Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an Open eligible list to fill current and future Senior Planner vacancies within OC Waste & Recycling. The eligible list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange. This recruitment will open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will close on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PT).

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.

OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) is an organization dedicated to providing waste management services, protecting the environment, and promoting resource recovery in order to preserve the life of our landfills and ensure a safe and healthy community for current and future generations. OCWR operates three active regional landfills (North, Central, South), four household hazardous waste collection centers, material recovery (metal and mattresses), three compost facilities, monitors 20 closed landfills, and administers municipal solid waste collection, recycling, and planning for County unincorporated areas.

OCWR is a nationally renowned waste management department responsible for a network of sanitary landfills and is committed to its exceptional record of regulatory compliance and excellence.

OCWR is seeking a forward-thinking individual with strong communication skills to support the Compliance Support Division’s California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and Habitat Section. This position is primarily responsible for ensuring CEQA compliance for OCWR projects.

Job duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Analyze proposed projects and prepare initial studies (IS) to determine the appropriate level of environmental review in compliance with CEQA guidelines and County CEQA procedures manual
• Research, compile, and analyze environmental data; develop recommendations related to CEQA documents
• Prepare Notices of Exemption, IS, Addendums, Negative Declarations (ND) and Mitigated Negative Declarations (MND) pursuant to CEQA
• Manage CEQA consultants in the preparation of specialized studies (e.g. air quality impact) and Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs)
• Review and prepare comments on CEQA documents and specialized studies to ensure compliance with CEQA documents
• Advise OCWR staff and County Counsel (COCO) regarding CEQA procedures, standards, and regulatory requirements
• Lead and participate in project meetings with consultants and/or internally with OCWR staff on CEQA projects, including providing yearly training on CEQA-related matters
• Develop and oversee Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Programs (MMRP) for OCWR projects
• Maintain OCWR CEQA data and project documentation
• Support public outreach efforts related to CEQA and educate the community about environmental issues and regulations
• Review of agenda staff reports (ASRs) for CEQA compliance language and recommended actions
• Assist with development and review of Requests for Proposals (RFP), Scope of Work (SOP), Vendor Fee Schedules, Notices to Proceed (NTP) for CEQA consultant services
• Review and approve payment requests by consultants in County applications such as Expeditor
• Review and determine available budgets for Qualified Vendor List (QVL) consultants for proposed projects

The ideal candidate will have the required minimum of four (4) years or more of progressively responsible planning experience with two (2) years of experience in CEQA compliance analysis and environmental planning and will possess a bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, environmental studies, or related field from an accredited college or university. A master’s degree in any of these fields can substitute for one of the four (4) years of experience.

The successful candidate will be experienced in providing leadership and direction to staff to ensure delivery of efficient, high-quality services specific…