Environmental Planning Manager - Conservation Lands & Resources

Environmental Planning Manager

Pima County's Conservation Lands & Resources Department is seeking a collaborative and experienced Environmental Planning Manager to help lead, coordinate, and strengthen environmental review across County projects and programs. This position will manage a multidisciplinary review process that brings together planning, engineering, biological, cultural, water, air quality, and other technical perspectives to ensure environmental considerations are identified early, documented clearly, and integrated into project planning, design, construction, and long-term implementation.

The Environmental Planning Manager will work across County departments to develop consistent environmental review procedures, track environmental commitments, support regulatory compliance, and advise County leadership on environmental impacts, constraints, and opportunities. Projects may include transportation improvements, linear infrastructure, parks, public facilities, capital improvement projects, private development proposals, and projects involving state or federal funding or permitting. The position may also coordinate County comments on environmental documents prepared by outside agencies or project sponsors.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience managing environmental review processes; working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental requirements; familiarity with construction and engineering design processes; and the ability to translate complex technical information into clear, practical recommendations. This role requires a thoughtful and organized leader who can communicate across disciplines, manage competing priorities, build consistency across programs, and help ensure that County projects advance efficiently while meeting environmental stewardship and compliance responsibilities.

The Environmental Planning Manager leads and coordinates environmental planning and review activities for Pima County projects, programs, and development proposals. The position manages multidisciplinary environmental review; works with County departments, partner agencies, consultants, and project sponsors; ensures consistency with federal, state, and local environmental requirements; and advises County leadership on environmental impacts, constraints, and commitments. Responsibilities include reviewing capital improvement and infrastructure projects, coordinating environmental documentation and mitigation measures, developing procedures and tracking systems, and supervising assigned staff and program resources.

This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.

Essential Functions:

• Plans, organizes, and manages personnel involved in analyzing planning data and implementing environmental policies, regulations, and enforcement procedures;
• Evaluates capital improvement projects and private development proposals for environmental impacts and advises County leadership;
• Develops and implements monitoring systems for air, water, biological, and cultural resources in coordination with relevant county departments;
• Reviews, formulates, and implements changes to environmental policies, regulations, and statutes in collaboration with governing bodies and regulatory agencies;
• Develops recommendations and monitors implementation of long-range, short-range, and contingency environmental plans;
• Assesses environmental planning programs for conformity with federal, state, and local laws and guidelines;
• Examines proposed development plans for compliance, impact, and design considerations, providing guidance to county management;
• Identifies funding sources, secures grants, and oversees grant programs in partnership with external entities;
• Manages planning documents for regulatory compliance and supervises rate and bond feasibility studies;
• Prepares recommendations for modifying county policies and regulations affecting air, water, and land resources;
• Serves as the departmental liaison to federal, state, and local environmental committees, coordinating activities and programs;
• Investigates and responds to environmental complaints while presenting study results and departmental plans;
• Conducts environmental impact studies, develops indices for social, physical, and economic impacts, and prepares technical reports;
• Trains, supervises, and evaluates staff, monitors budgets for assigned areas of responsibility, and may testify before regulatory bodies as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in planning, resource management, environmental engineering or a related field as defined by the department head at the time of recruitment AND four years of experience in planning.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

OR:

Three years of experience with Pima County as an Environmental Specialist, Hydrologist II, Planner II, Engineering Assistant II, or other similar…