Principal Consultant, Vegetation Management Environmental Workstream Planner

ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant, Vegetation Management Environmental Workstream Planner in Walnut Creek, CA. This role involves leading environmental planning for vegetation management, ensuring compliance for a major utility. Responsibilities include guiding multidisciplinary teams, mentoring junior staff, and maintaining client relationships. The position requires a degree in a related field and significant experience in environmental planning. It is a part-time role focused on California’s energy sector.
About the position

Lead Environmental Planning That Shapes California’s Energy Future Step into a strategic leadership role as Principal Consultant, Vegetation Management Environmental Workstream Planner (Casual/Part‑Time) , supporting ERM’s growing Impact Assessment & Planning practice in Northern California (Walnut Creek or Sacramento) . In this high‑visibility position, you’ll guide critical vegetation management planning and compliance efforts for one of California’s largest utilities—advancing community safety, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable operations. This is your opportunity to apply deep environmental expertise within a global consulting firm while shaping how essential environmental planning is delivered across the state. Why This Role Matters ERM’s Impact Assessment & Planning (IAP) team is one of the fastest‑growing practices in our global organization. As a Principal Consultant and Environmental Workstream Planner, you will play a pivotal role supporting an ongoing contract with a major California utility, ensuring their Vegetation Management operations meet complex regulatory, environmental, and safety requirements. Your leadership will directly influence project outcomes, regulatory success, and ERM’s reputation for excellence in California’s utility sector.

Responsibilities

Lead end‑to‑end environmental planning and compliance efforts across Vegetation Management operations and maintenance activitiesServe as the Contract Environmental Workstream Planner, driving project review and permitting across agencies including USFS, BLM, CA State Parks, NPS, USFWS, CDFW, and Coastal Zone authoritiesGuide multidisciplinary teams to meet client deliverables, maintain project excellence, and ensure adherence to regulatory guidanceStrengthen client relationships through trust, communication, and proactive updatesMentor junior team members, offering technical direction and development opportunitiesBuild corrective action plans, address scheduling challenges, and support unit‑rate pricing invoicingDrive innovation within ERM’s IAP service offerings to anticipate client needs and maintain our competitive edgeMeet safety, financial, schedule, and quality performance targets across projectsServe as the Contract Environmental Workstream Planner for permitting and project reviews under multiple CA regulatory agencies (USFS, BLM, CA State Parks, NPS, USFWS, CDFW, CA Coastal Zone, and others)Oversee cross‑disciplinary teams ensuring high‑quality, timely deliverablesBuild and maintain strong, trust‑based relationships with the utility clientProvide clear, actionable guidance to project teams and ensure compliance with client expectationsInterface with the client’s contract owner, delivering weekly updates and performance insightsMentor junior staff and provide technical leadershipDevelop corrective action plans related to staffing or schedule delaysSupport unit‑rate pricing and invoicing activitiesChampion innovation within the IAP service lineMeet ERM’s standards for health & safety, financial performance, project delivery, client satisfaction, and risk managementRequirements

Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in environmental studies, biology, planning, geography, civil/environmental engineering, or a related field. Or equivalent experience6+ (10+ years preferred) of consulting experience in impact assessments, CEQA/NEPA review, and California natural resource regulatory agency permittingExperience supporting California electric/gas transmission and generation marketsExpertise with California Coastal Commission and Local Coastal Plan Coastal Zone Development PermittingProven success in business development with clients in power generation, electrical transmission, renewables, mining, oil & gas, and technologyStrong relationship‑building skills and ability to secure new IA consulting workBroad understanding of impact assessment best practices and key environmental management issuesExcellent team‑building, communication, and influencing skillsHigh integrity, collaborative mindset, and a commitment to ERM’s global successNice-to-haves

JD, CEP, AICP, or similar professional registrationVegetation management knowledge (preferred but not required)Benefits

paid time offparental leavemedicaldentalvisionlifedisabilityAD&D insurance401(k) or RRSP/DPSPother applicable benefits to eligible employees