Principal Environmental Specialist - Planning & Project Support - (Hybrid Schedule)

SoCalGas is seeking a Principal Environmental Specialist for Planning & Project Support in Los Angeles, CA. The role involves managing environmental screening and project distribution, providing expertise in environmental fields, and overseeing consultants. Responsibilities include coordinating environmental clearances, evaluating risks, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The position offers opportunities for career growth and emphasizes work-life balance while contributing to clean energy initiatives.
About Us

At SoCalGas, we believe that every Californian deserves a resilient energy future.  We are working to achieve that future by empowering California to reach its sustainability goals through innovation, collaboration, and decarbonization. As our state’s energy needs change, we will be there providing reliable energy that is clean, safe, and affordable to our 22 million customers.  

In addition to helping shape the future of hydrogen technology and clean energy, as an employee of SoCalGas you’ll also enjoy an aggressive total compensation plan, multiple upward mobility opportunities and the ability to find a true work life balance.   We also strive to reflect the communities we serve by attracting top talent and maintaining a diverse workforce.  To discover more about how rewarding it is to work here, we invite you to visit these pages on our website: Our Mission; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Sustainability, In the Community, and Employee Benefits. Join SoCalGas today to share in our mission to build the cleanest, safest, and most innovative energy company in America!   

Primary Purpose
• Manages the environmental screening and distribution of projects received through SoCalGas’ Environmental Tracking System (eTS) and Geographic Environmental Analysis and Reporting System (GEARS). These systems house thousands of internal projects submitted by the company’s various operating groups.
• Manages multiple, complex, cross-discipline projects in support of business objectives and initiatives.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in one or more environmental fields (e.g., urban/land use planning, biology, archaeology, water quality), providing technical expertise and support on company projects and programs, and acts as an advisor to internal clients, peers, and all levels of management.
• May oversee consultants and may have direct reports and require some supervisory skills.

Duties And Responsibilities
• Manages projects received through eTS and GEARS. Works closely with project requestors to obtain comprehensive scope details, including construction activities and methodologies, identification of proposed disturbance areas and access routes, schedules, and other critical needs. Oversees the assignment of projects to Environmental Leads and Discipline Leads based on their areas of responsibility, expertise, and workload; trains new eTS and GEARS users; approves eTS access requests; and identifies and submits system enhancement requests.
• Manages and coordinates the issuance of Environmental Clearances for company projects with complex environmental regulatory requirements. Coordinates with internal stakeholders, third-party developers, and environmental experts in communicating scope and schedule changes and resolving technical environmental issues.
• Performs thorough evaluations of proposed company activities to determine environmental risks and requirements; develops and implements environmental permitting strategies and conditions company projects to ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations; reviews and develops technical documents and obtains environmental authorizations; manages and provides direction to environmental consultants; engages and develops relationships with internal stakeholders, involved regulatory and public agencies, fellow environmental colleagues, and external consultants and contractors.
• Performs other duties as assigned (no more than 5% of duties).

Qualifications

Education
• Bachelor's Degree Environmental, urban planning, geography, landscape architecture, science, biology, engineering, or related field. Required
• Master's Degree Environmental, urban planning, geography, landscape architecture, science, biology, engineering, or related field. Preferred.

Experience
• Minimum 8 years of related environmental experience. Required

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
• Familiarity with eTS and GEARS or similar environmental systems utilized to track project reviews and clearances.
• Expert in one or more environmental disciplines, such as urban/land use planning, biological resources, cultural resources, stormwater management, etc.
• Strong analytical skills and a thorough knowledge of all levels of environmental laws, regulations, and the energy sector are required.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, negotiation skills, tact and diplomacy skills are required to negotiate favorable decisions from regulatory agencies and also satisfy multiple company clients with differing needs.
• Initiative and ingenuity are required in all aspects of this position.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong presentation /training /public speaking skills are required.
• Must be proficient with computer technology (related to technical area) and be able to work with minimum supervision.

Benefits

SoCalGas offers a comprehensive benefits program to help support employees both personally and professionally. These benefits include, but are not limited to: 

 
• Competitive pay & Annual Bonus program 
• Medical, dental, and vision packages (plus free Mental Health resources/sessions) 
• 401K company match & Company provided Pension Plan 
• Work/Life Balance including generous PTO 
• Wellness Programs/Classes  
• Tuition/Education Reimbursement 
• Career Development Tools & Resources through SoCalGas University 

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Total Rewards Philosophy

SoCalGas strives to ensure that employees are paid equitably and competitively. Starting salaries may vary based on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, and education.

SoCalGas offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond base salary. This position is eligible for an annual performance-based incentive (bonus) as well as other merit-based recognition. Company benefits include health and welfare (medical, dental, vision), employer contributions to retirement benefits, life insurance, paid time off, as well as other company offerings such as tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, and employee assistance programs.