Climate Policy Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering, construction management, environmental, planning, and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

Lotus Water and BKF are proud to have merged, this position sits within the Water Resilience Practice of the Water Business Line. We help communities plan and deliver resilient water infrastructure solutions that balance technical performance, environmental stewardship, and community benefit. Our work spans water, wastewater, stormwater, flood resilience, green infrastructure, and nature-based solutions across the West Coast.
We are looking for a Utility Planner to join our growing Pacific Northwest team. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys bridging technical analysis, planning, policy, and program development to help utilities solve complex urban infrastructure challenges.

The Utility Planner will support planning and strategy projects for public-sector utility clients focused on water, wastewater, stormwater, and integrated urban watershed systems. The ideal candidate brings a strong technical foundation, curiosity about infrastructure systems, and interest in shaping resilient and sustainable utility programs.
This position is well suited for individuals with backgrounds in engineering, urban planning, environmental planning, water resources, or related disciplines who are passionate about climate resilience, public infrastructure, and collaborative problem solving.

Potential projects might be similar to:

• https://www.lotuswater.com/kc-integrated-planning
• https://www.lotuswater.com/spu-raincity-partnerships-program
• https://www.lotuswater.com/gi-grant-program
• https://www.lotuswater.com/spu-shape-our-water-plan

Responsibilities

• Support utility planning projects related to water, wastewater, stormwater, and flood resilience
• Conduct technical and policy research, data analysis, and infrastructure assessments
• Assist with capital improvement planning and long-range infrastructure strategy development
• Support development of nature-based solutions and green infrastructure programs
• Contribute to watershed planning, climate resilience, and integrated utility planning efforts
• Prepare technical memoranda, presentations, maps, graphics, and planning documents
• Coordinate with engineers, planners, public agencies, and multidisciplinary project teams
• Participate in stakeholder engagement, workshops, and public-facing planning processes
• Support program development, funding strategy, and implementation planning initiatives
• Track emerging trends, policies, and best practices in utility planning and resilience

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Planning, Environmental Science, Water Resources, Public Policy, or related field
• 3–10 years of relevant professional experience preferred
• Technical understanding of urban water, wastewater, and stormwater systems
• Familiarity with utility infrastructure planning principles and capital planning processes
• Interest in nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, and climate adaptation strategies
• Interest in public policy, program development, and implementation strategy
• Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
• Proficiency across Microsoft Office/365, Adobe CSS, and online collaboration tools.
• Ability to collaborate across technical and planning disciplines
• Ability to work independently to navigate ambiguity and tackle the unfamiliar with curiosity.
• Experience working with public agencies or utility clients is preferred
• GIS, data visualization, or analytical skills are a plus

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

• Opportunity to work on meaningful climate resilience and infrastructure projects
• Collaborative and mission-driven team environment
• Exposure to complex and high-profile utility planning efforts across the Pacific Northwest
• Flexible and hybrid work environment
• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development

Pacific Northwest Region – Seattle preferred, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements.

Benefits

• The typical base salary range for this position is $79,168 - $155,927, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly.
• Competitive salaries, profit sharing, and 401k.
• Generous paid time off packages.
• 9 Paid Holidays.
• Flexible schedules.
• Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations.
• BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.

BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.

#LI-Hybrid