ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Environmental Planning Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Blumen

Environmental Planning Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

The role We are looking for an environmental practitioner who wants to help build the AI-native version of environmental planning. You will use Blumen to evaluate real energy and infrastructure ...

New

Stantec

Environmental Planner

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$84K - $122K/yr

As part of the Southern California Environmental Planning Team, this position may be based in our Pasadena or Irvine offices, and offers the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on ...

Stantec

Environmental Planner

Irvine, CA · On-site

$84K - $122K/yr

As part of the Southern California Environmental Planning Team, this position may be based in our Pasadena or Irvine offices, and offers the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on ...

Stantec

Environmental Planner

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$60 - $80/hr

As part of the Southern California Environmental Planning Team, this position may be based in our Pasadena or Irvine offices, and offers the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on ...

Stantec

Environmental Planner

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$84K - $122K/yr

As part of the Southern California Environmental Planning Team, this position may be based in our Pasadena or Irvine offices, and offers the opportunity to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on ...

OMS Group

Environmental Planner

Pleasant Hill, CA · On-site

$110K - $160K/yr

Essential Functions: • Support and contribute to the full lifecycle of environmental planning and compliance for electric transmission and distribution projects, including routing/siting support ...

Terracon

Environmental Planning Project Manager

Carson, CA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Manage all aspects of an environmental planning-related project to ensure that it is safely completed on time and within scope and budget. Responsible for completing the project as per its contracted ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsEnvironmental Planning JobsEnvironmental Planning Jobs in California

Environmental Planning information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$78.8K

$105.6K

How much do environmental planning jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for environmental planning in California is $78,789.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $88,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is environmental planning?

Environmental planning is a process that integrates environmental considerations into land use planning and decision-making. Professionals in this field assess the potential impacts of development projects on the natural environment and help design solutions to minimize negative effects. Their work often involves conducting environmental impact assessments, ensuring compliance with regulations, and promoting sustainable development. Environmental planners collaborate with government agencies, developers, and communities to balance economic, social, and environmental goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an environmental planner?

To thrive as an Environmental Planner, you need expertise in environmental science, urban planning, and regulatory compliance, typically supported by a relevant degree in environmental studies or planning. Familiarity with GIS software, environmental impact assessment tools, and knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations are essential. Strong analytical thinking, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills set outstanding planners apart. These skills are crucial for creating sustainable, legally-compliant projects that balance development needs with environmental protection.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in environmental planning, and how can they be managed?

Environmental Planners often navigate complex regulatory requirements and must balance the interests of multiple stakeholders, such as government agencies, developers, and the public. Managing conflicting priorities and ensuring compliance with environmental laws can be challenging, especially on large-scale projects. Effective communication, continuous learning about changing regulations, and strong project management skills are essential for success in this role. Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams also helps address these challenges and results in more sustainable planning outcomes.

What is the difference between Environmental Planning vs Environmental Engineering?

AspectEnvironmental PlanningEnvironmental Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or master's in urban planning, environmental science, or related fieldsBachelor's or master's in environmental engineering or related engineering disciplines
Work EnvironmentUrban, governmental agencies, consulting firms, focus on policy and land useLaboratories, construction sites, focus on technical solutions and system design
Employer & Industry UsageMunicipalities, planning agencies, environmental consultanciesEngineering firms, construction companies, government agencies

Environmental Planning and Environmental Engineering share overlapping credentials and often work within the environmental sector. However, Environmental Planning primarily focuses on land use, policy, and sustainable development, while Environmental Engineering emphasizes technical solutions like pollution control and system design. Both roles are vital for environmental protection but serve different functions within the industry.

How much do environmental planners make in the US?

Environmental planners in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $80,000, with experienced professionals and those working in specialized areas earning higher. Salaries can vary based on location, education, certifications, and level of experience, and many roles require knowledge of GIS tools and environmental regulations.

What are environmental planning jobs?

Environmental planning jobs involve developing strategies and policies to manage land use, natural resources, and environmental impact assessments. Professionals in this field often work with government agencies, consulting firms, or private companies, utilizing skills in GIS, environmental law, and sustainability practices to support sustainable development and compliance with regulations.

What do environmental planners do?

Environmental planners develop strategies to manage and protect natural resources and the environment. They conduct assessments, prepare reports, and work with government agencies and communities to ensure projects comply with environmental regulations. Skills in GIS, environmental law, and project management are often essential in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Environmental Planning jobs in California?

The most popular types of Environmental Planning jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Environmental Planning jobs in California?

For Environmental Planning jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Environmental Planning jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Environmental Planning jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Environmental Planning jobs?

Cities in California with the most Environmental Planning job openings:

Environmental Planning jobs near you
Infographic showing various Environmental Planning job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,789 per year, or $37.9 per hour.

Environmental Planning Engineer

Blumen

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$120K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

About Blumen
Blumen is building the regulatory intelligence layer for American infrastructure. Our platform combines regulatory information with more than 2,500 geospatial datasets to help energy companies and environmental consultants understand the permits, constraints, and risks facing a project in hours instead of weeks.
We are a small, fast-moving team tackling a huge market at the moment AI is beginning to reshape professional services. Someone joining now will help define both Blumen and the future of environmental work in infrastructure development.
The role
We are looking for an environmental practitioner who wants to help build the AI-native version of environmental planning.
You will use Blumen to evaluate real energy and infrastructure projects, research unresolved environmental and permitting questions, and ensure that our work is accurate enough for customers to act on. You will also help turn repeated professional judgment into better product logic, evaluations, and workflows.
This is a hands-on production role. You will review maps, regulations, agency sources, planning documents, and AI-generated findings; correct errors; fill gaps; structure information; and complete project deliverables under real deadlines. The work can be repetitive and exacting. We need someone who is happy to do the detailed work every day, not someone who only wants to advise on how it should be done.
As you develop command of the work, you will identify patterns the product should capture and work directly with product and engineering to improve the system.
This should appeal to an ambitious environmental professional who wants to move beyond the traditional consulting path, help disrupt how infrastructure services are delivered, and build the tools their field will use next.
What you will do
  • Evaluate sites for environmental, land-use, and permitting risks.
  • Produce and review critical issues analyses, permit assessments, and environmental screens.
  • Research uncertain findings using authoritative regulatory, agency, planning, and project sources.
  • Review AI-generated analysis closely and correct unsupported, incomplete, or misleading conclusions.
  • Convert recurring project work into clearer methods, evaluation cases, and product requirements.
Who should apply
You have experience in environmental planning, permitting, natural resources, land use, environmental consulting, government, or infrastructure development. You can distinguish a material project risk from a generic database hit and explain what a developer should investigate next.
You are extremely hardworking, humble, and detail oriented. You care about citations and factual accuracy, take pride in completing repetitive work well, and remain dependable when project volume is high. You want to work closely with software and AI, but you understand that better tools begin with a deep command of the underlying practice.
Experience with energy projects, critical issues analyses, permit matrices, NEPA or CEQA, GIS, or multidisciplinary site diligence is valuable.
Growth
This role will not stay narrow for someone who does the foundational work exceptionally well. Earn the team's trust through excellent project work, judgment, and reliability, and you can quickly take on considerable responsibility across environmental workflows, AI evaluation, quality systems, customers, and product development. We are looking for someone who wants to grow with the company, take pride in owning this function, and help define a position that has never existed before.
Our values
  1. Put yourself in the customer's shoes. We care deeply about serving our customers above all else.
  2. No job is too small. Details matter, even if nobody will ever see them.
  3. Every problem is an opportunity. Any solution that is clever, difficult to reproduce, or takes serious guts is an opportunity to widen our moat.
  4. To go far, go together. We trust, respect, win, and lose together, as a team.
  5. Own the problem. Not your solution. Best idea wins.
  6. It doesn't get easier. We just get faster. There is no finish line. Every day is a step toward compounding success. This is a marathon toward excellence.

Apply