Principal-level Environmental/CEQA Planner

Placeworks is hiring a Principal-level Environmental/CEQA Planner to lead their Environmental Team in Berkeley, CA. The role requires a minimum of 10 years' experience in CEQA/NEPA documentation and project management. Candidates should have strong leadership, mentoring abilities, and excellent technical writing skills. The position allows for remote work when needed and involves overseeing various environmental planning projects while ensuring quality control and client relations.
Description

PlaceWorks is seeking a full-time, environmental/CEQA planner to lead the Environmental Team in our Berkeley office. We are seeking an individual with a minimum of 10 years’ professional experience preparing CEQA and/or NEPA documents and managing CEQA projects. In addition, an ability and interest to train, mentor, and guide team members is a must. Our Environmental Team works in a cross-disciplinary, collaborative environment with staff and technical resources across multiple office locations. Typical work of our environmental planning practice encompasses a variety of private and public sector project work including general and specific plans, schools, parks, mixed-use development, commercial centers, and infrastructure projects. This position would also provide peer review of documents prepared by others as well as QA/QC for internal documents.

This is a Principal-level position. Principals of our firm are perceived as leaders in the industry. Principals also have a demonstrated ability to successfully lead, manage, and oversee staff, projects, presentations, marketing, business development, and client relations—all of which are qualities and skills the ideal candidate must possess.

The pay range for this position is $160,000 - $195,000 per year, dependent upon experience and other relevant factors.

Requirements

You’re most likely a fit if:
• You are a creative problem solver, outgoing and can maintain a sense of comradery, and passionate about environmental services work and using your skills for the betterment of communities and the environment.
• You’re a self-starter who can work both independently and in a highly collaborative environment, including a virtual, work from home environment when needed.
• Managing multiple projects is second nature and you have successful experience overseeing and coordinating major components of CEQA and/or NEPA projects of all sizes within budget and schedule. Project management responsibilities include, but are not limited to, proposal writing, budgeting, staff and sub-consultant coordination, staff oversight, scheduling, billing reviews , contract review, status reports, client interaction, quality control, and community outreach.
• You have excellent technical writing skills and are experienced with preparing technically sound and legally defensible analyses and environmental impact assessment documentation in compliance with CEQA and/or NEPA.
• You are experienced with processing data and writing impact analysis for all levels of CEQA compliance from exemptions through environmental impact reports (EIRs).
• You are current on changes and judicial actions relative to environmental compliance, CEQA, and NEPA.
• You have strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, and solid client communication abilities. You communicate with the general public, staff members, clients, and others in a professional and courteous manner.
• You are experienced in marketing, business development, and proposal writing efforts.
• You have professional acumen to cultivate working relationships with staff in other divisions, clients, community-based organizations, government agencies, and other firms.
• You are genuinely interested in working with junior staff and allow others to share in the success of projects. You’re able to supervise and guide staff in all areas of project management and technical skills, effectively delegating work, providing clear direction, and timely feedback.
• You have strong leadership and management abilities to grow, mentor, and lead staff members.
• You’re comfortable with public speaking and presenting—you’ll be expected to represent PlaceWorks at job interviews, community workshops, and conferences.
• You’re able to coordinate, travel to, and attend client meetings and community workshops which may occur on weekday nights and weekends.
• You possess a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; land use or environmental law; or related field.
• You have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• You have a current and valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, and acceptable MVR to drive on Company business for performing site visits and attending meetings.
• When applying to this position, please attach your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample as 3 separate PDF attachments. Each attachment must be under 500KB. Alternatively, you may include a link to your writing sample if it exceeds 500KB.*