Senior Environmental Consultant / CEQA Project Manager

SIKAND ENGINEERING is hiring a Senior Environmental Consultant / CEQA Project Manager in Sherman Oaks, CA. The role involves leading CEQA compliance document preparation, managing Environmental Impact Reports for land development projects, and liaising with various agencies. Candidates should have a relevant Bachelor's degree, with a Master's or AICP certification preferred. The firm focuses on comprehensive land development solutions in Southern California and has over 65 years of experience.
Senior Environmental Consultant / CEQA Project Manager


Sikand Engineering Associates — Sherman Oaks, CA


About Sikand Engineering
Sikand Engineering Associates is a premier civil engineering, planning, and land surveying firm that has been shaping Southern California's built environment for over 65 years. Headquartered in Sherman Oaks, our team of approximately 50 professionals delivers comprehensive land development solutions across Los Angeles County and the greater Southern California region. We are known for our deep regulatory expertise, integrated multidisciplinary service delivery, and the active involvement of senior leadership on every project from concept through construction.
Our clients include national homebuilders, regional developers, public agencies, and major commercial enterprises.


Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Senior Environmental Consultant / CEQA Project Manager to join our growing team. In this role, you will lead the preparation and management of complex California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance documents, with a primary focus on full Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) for residential and mixed-use land development projects in unincorporated Los Angeles County and surrounding jurisdictions.
This position requires a professional who is either currently listed on or immediately eligible for the Los Angeles County Prequalified Environmental Consultant List.


Responsibilities
You will manage the full lifecycle of CEQA environmental documents, from initial scoping through public hearings and project certification. This includes overseeing the preparation of Environmental Impact Reports, Mitigated Negative Declarations, and Initial Studies. You will direct the Notice of Preparation process, Draft EIR production, public comment response coordination, and Final EIR assembly through certification.
You will select, contract, and manage specialized subconsultants for all required technical studies. This includes coordinating traffic engineers for Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analyses, biologists for habitat and wildlife assessments, arborists for oak tree surveys, geotechnical engineers for slope stability investigations, noise consultants, air quality modelers, and cultural resource specialists.


You will serve as the primary liaison with Los Angeles County Regional Planning, navigating the EPIC-LA electronic permitting system and coordinating with reviewing agencies including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Caltrans, LA County Fire, and the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency.


You will represent the firm and our clients at public scoping meetings, community outreach sessions, Regional Planning Commission hearings, and Board of Supervisors proceedings. You will prepare professional presentations, respond to public testimony, and advocate for project approvals.


You will collaborate closely with our in-house civil engineering, land surveying, and planning teams to ensure environmental documents are technically accurate and aligned with project design.


Required Qualifications A Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies, Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field is required. A Master's degree or AICP certification is highly desirable.


A minimum of seven to ten years of progressive experience in environmental planning and CEQA compliance within California is required. Candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of successfully managing at least two full EIRs through certification, preferably within Los Angeles County.


Candidates must have established relationships with Los Angeles County Regional Planning staff and must be eligible for immediate inclusion on the LA County Prequalified Environmental Consultant List.


Deep technical expertise in the following areas is essential: SB 743 / Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) analysis methodologies, oak tree preservation and mitigation requirements, development within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ), biological resource assessments, and Statements of Overriding Considerations.


Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, including the ability to prepare clear, defensible environmental documents and present complex findings to decision-makers and the public.


Preferred Qualifications
Experience with residential subdivision EIRs in the Santa Clarita Valley or northern Los Angeles County is strongly preferred. Familiarity with LA County Sanitation Districts sewer capacity review processes, wildfire mitigation planning, and AB 52 tribal consultation procedures is a significant advantage.
Compensation and Benefits
Sikand Engineering offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience. Benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirem