Urban Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity

Ulteig is seeking a motivated Senior Urban Planner to join our Water & Environment group. This role is responsible for leading and supporting signature projects contributing to city/county and utility sustainability goals, increased resiliency of infrastructure, capital improvement and master planning, and environmental regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative solutions for public and private sector clients, balancing community needs, regulatory requirements, and sustainable growth.

What You'll Do

Project Planning & Management

• Develop and implement comprehensive plans addressing sustainability (e.g., Climate Action Plans, GHG inventories), land use, zoning, and public infrastructure and utilities (e.g., roads, stormwater, water, wastewater, and/or power), while considering community needs (e.g., active transportation, recreational space, equity).
• Conduct research and analyze demographic, economic, and spatial data to inform planning decisions.
• Prepare planning documents, reports, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
• Review site plans and development proposals to ensure compliance with zoning laws, building codes, and community goals.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and other professionals to ensure integrated planning solutions.

Policy & Regulatory Analysis

• Formulate and recommend procedures, guidelines, and priorities for plan implementation.
• Evaluate and recommend changes to infrastructure planning procedures, zoning ordinances, land use policies, and development regulations.
• Monitor, interpret, and stay current on local, state, and federal legislation affecting urban development (land use and zoning ordinances), infrastructure funding, and environmental, sustainability, and resiliency initiatives.

Community Engagement & Communication

• Facilitate public meetings, workshops, and community engagement sessions to present project details, gather input, and communicate planning initiatives.
• Present findings and recommendations to planning commissions, boards, and the public.
• Develop and maintain strong professional relationships with clients, regulatory agencies, and community partners.

Project Implementation & Oversight

• Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables for planning initiatives.
• Oversee development and implementation of sustainability and urban infrastructure planning projects as needed.
• Lead and maintain client communication protocols and meetings throughout a project, organizing discussions on schedules, QA/QC, stakeholder engagement, deliverables, etc..

Business Development & Team Collaboration

• Assist with business development activities, including proposal writing, client outreach, and networking.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across Ulteig's Lifeline Sectors (Water, Power, Renewables, Transportation).
• Mentor and support junior staff in technical and professional development.

What We Expect from You

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in environmental planning, sustainability, resiliency, or related disciplines.
• Certification by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience in community engagement and public consultation.
• Knowledge of zoning laws, land use regulations, and urban development and infrastructure planning processes.
• Experience in environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, waste management, climate change policies, and public health a plus.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize and multitask under strict deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, public, and external agencies.
• Must be comfortable working in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrates openness to innovation by embracing and applying evolving technology and AI tools to enhance workflows, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement.
• Must have authorization to work permanently in the U.S.

As you consider applying for a position at Ulteig, we encourage you to think outside the box - because we do! You might not meet 100% of the skills listed in a description, but we are committed to hiring people with exceptional talent, ability, and potential, and then creating an environment where they can become the best versions of themselves. We don't want to miss out on the possibility of speaking with the next outstanding Ulteig team member, so please apply if you think this role is a great match for your unique skills and strengths. And, yes, relevant military experience is absolutely considered for transitioning service members.

What You Can Expect from Ulteig

Ulteig is a purpose-driven organization that has built a culture focused on people, both our clients and our employees, for over 80 years. Working at Ulteig is more than a job, opening opportunities to make an impact by creating and solving for a sustainable future. We recognize our success relies heavily on the dedication and focus of our workforce; this is why we make investing in our employees a top priority. We prioritize flexibility and staying connected to meet your needs and help you achieve your goals. We value your unique perspective, respect your individuality, and celebrate your contributions. At Ulteig, we take our success and the success of our clients personally.

We offer our team members:

• Flexible Workplace
• Employee Ownership
• Competitive Pay
• Comprehensive Benefits Package
• Collaborative Environment
• Innovative Culture

Our vision is to be the most trusted partners transforming our world's critical infrastructure. Ulteig connects people and resources to develop compelling, integrated solutions across multiple Lifeline Sectors, including Power, Renewables, Transportation, and Water. Ulteig is a trusted partner in engineering North America's essential infrastructure and leverages its expertise with a wide range of public and private clients.

At Ulteig, we care deeply about our team, listening to their needs and ensuring they have the tools necessary to be productive, whether they choose to work remotely, hybrid, or in the office. Regardless of where you work, you are empowered to build a workday that best suits your strengths. We strive to ensure a balance and separation between home and work life. We support a flexible working schedule so employees are able to focus on what's important to them.

If you would like to be a part of a company that empowers their employees, apply today!

Ulteig is a Drug-Free Workplace

ACHIEVE | GROW | COLLABORATE

Additional Opportunity Details:
Target Base Compensation Range for this role is $118,500- $160,600
* Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary include your job-specific skills, education, training, job location, number of years of experience related to this role and comparison to other employees already in this role.

This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will continue to be posted for an average of 60 days until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies: to protect the interests of all parties, Ulteig Engineers, Inc., will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate or an approved vendor that has a written and signed agreement in place with Ulteig. Please do not contact or forward resumes to our company employees or locations. Any unsolicited resumes will be considered Ulteig property. Ulteig is not responsible for any charges or fees related to unsolicited resumes.