Project Planner Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ESA is looking for a highly motivated Project Manager / National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Planner to support various Energy-related projects in California, Nevada, and Arizona. We are looking for a team member with 10+ years of related work experience with a bachelor's or master's degree in environmental planning, policy, science, or a related interdisciplinary field, who can manage various energy projects that involve NEPA and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulatory analysis, Project Management Assistance Contractor (PMAC) services, and environmental compliance. Experience preparing third-party NEPA documents and supporting applicant-prepared NEPA documents is a must. We are seeking a candidate with proven NEPA experience, strong client delivery and rapport. This opportunity places a high value on collaboration, delivery, and the desire to grow.

Who You Are

• You are an experienced project manager with 10+ years of experience with a focus on energy projects and skilled in leading complex, multifaceted environmental analysis efforts, particularly for energy-related projects. 
• You have a strong record of mentoring and developing project teams and are adept at managing highly complex or controversial environmental documents.
• You have extensive knowledge of the NEPA and similar federal regulations, including BLM regulations, the BLM Manuals and Handbooks, Instructional Memorandums guiding various BLM Field Offices, in addition to supplemental information report (SIR) and supplemental environmental reports (SERs), experience drafting different levels of NEPA documents (e.g., CatEx, EA, EIS), and experience supporting all stages of the NEPA process including public engagement, alternatives and comment analysis, decision support, and the administrative record.
• You can leverage an established rolodex of energy developers to originate and grow a high-value book of business, with a focus on environmental services for renewable energy projects, driving sustained revenue and strategic client partnerships.
• You bring intellectual curiosity and strong leadership skills, thriving in collaborative settings that call for innovative problemsolving. Your diverse experience allows you to think creatively and adapt quickly.
• You are able to tackle complex regulatory and development challenges with ease, supporting both private energy developers and public agency clients with practical, forwardthinking solutions.
• You have experience managing a project from initiation through completion - developing project proposals to overseeing day-to-day project assignments, strong schedule management, meeting deadlines, and tracking financial performance.
• You are known for preparing documents that are clear, concise, well-written and supported and for your ability to present information understandably and to speak persuasively about complex topics to colleagues, clients, agency staff, teaming partners, other project stakeholders and the general public.
• You are a proactive and respectful leader who communicates effectively and works collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams. You help identify and address broader project or team challenges with professionalism, empathy, and integrity.
• You partner closely with clients and team members to deliver projects on time and within budget, drawing on your experience developing and managing scopes, schedules, and budgets. You also have an interest in business development and have contributed to winning new work through your network and proposal support.

What You Will Do for ESA

• As a Project Manager / NEPA Environmental Planner, you will lead energy projects of varying complexity while serving as a technical specialist in environmental planning and review. You will demonstrate a clear understanding of project and client management principles. You'll manage projects through the NEPA process - including the development of NEPA-compliant documents tailored to the appropriate level of environmental review - ensuring all deliverables meet scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations. You will coordinate tasks with appropriate technical disciplines, track progress, conduct quality reviews, and oversee the preparation and refinement of professional work products.
• You will serve as the primary author for planning and environmental documents, lead or support client and public meetings, and communicate complex information clearly to diverse stakeholders. You will consistently demonstrate your strong writing and attentive listening skills, participate in and/or lead client meetings, and clearly present information about complex topics to clients, agency staff, teaming partners, other project stakeholders and the general public.
• You will provide mentorship to staff on the NEPA process, guiding team members on how to structure and write clear, compliant environmental documents. You'll provide peer review and coach others on using precise, objective, and defensible language that aligns with NEPA requirements and agency standards. You will help staff understand how to document analyses transparently and thoroughly so that the final products are legally defensible and can withstand public and agency scrutiny.
• Your role will also include contributing to marketing and business development by understanding client needs, preparing scopes and budgets, and participating in proposals and interviews. You will excel in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities while working both independently and collaboratively.
• Lead business development and client engagement efforts to identify needs, quality opportunities, and gather actionable competitive intelligence that informs pursuit strategy and drives win probability.
• Develop and execute client relationship-building strategies with utilities/renewable energy developers, engineering partners, contractors, and teaming partners to originate opportunities and expand ESA's energy business.
• You will thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment and be able to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, while working on a team or independently.

*Please submit a Professional technical writing sample with your application. The sample must be solely authored by you, or the sections you authored must be clearly marked. This can be uploaded in the cover letter submittal section.

What's Special About ESA

At ESA, we spend our days helping to keep the environment in balance, and we want to help keep your life in balance too-by providing benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), a 401(k) plan with company match, an employee stock ownership program, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

No matter what stage you are at in your career, we provide opportunities for continued growth, development, and recognition. Whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners, we want to support you in reaching your career goals. We believe these efforts will not only benefit you but will also benefit all ESA colleagues and clients. Specific programs we offer include tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

In accordance with ESA's duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation.