Utility Planner Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

AECOM has an exciting opportunity for a Senior level Environmental Planner/Project Manager - Energy to join our Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) team in Northern California.  This hybrid role can be based out of AECOM's San Diego, Orange or Los Angeles, CA offices.

Our EPP team serves numerous private industry and public utility energy clients, on a variety of energy projects including transmission, grid modernization, and renewable energy developments. In this role you will lead project teams and work with our environmental planning practitioners and technical subject matter experts to prepare environmental documents, with a particular focus on supporting permitting and entitlement work for our growing line of work with energy developers and utilities.

This role would involve serving as a seller-doer, including managing clients, project teams and complex projects, and leading and supporting new and ongoing business development activities.

The responsibilities of this role would include, but are not limited to:

• Lead environmental planning and compliance work and support the development of environmental documents and studies in compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other state and federal environmental regulations.
• Manage early-stage due diligence efforts for siting energy projects and associated infrastructure.
• Provide project management on mid- to large-sized projects, including developing and tracking project schedules, budgets, invoicing, and coordination with clients, technical staff and subconsultants.
• Work on environmental documents and entitlements related to high profile infrastructure projects, with particular emphasis on energy sector projects.
• Contribute to marketing and business development, preparation of proposals, and formulating proposal cost estimates as a seller-doer.
• Providing leadership in mentoring personnel, including reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity and providing constructive feedback on project tasks.

About AECOM's Environment Business Line
Join AECOM to be part of an expert global team who is connected through a well-developed, worldwide, internal technical practice network through which you can learn from and brainstorm with the best in the world. AECOM is an industry-leading, world-class environmental firm, and we want you to succeed within it.  We respect and encourage your own pathway to excellence via our Freedom to Grow initiative.
AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edge science and innovative project delivery. We provide sustainable solutions for some of the world's most challenging issues. Our global clients and their projects span a variety of market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental planning or related field.
• 6 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in electric transmission and renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage) through preparing CEQA and/or NEPA documents, routing and siting analysis, critical issues analysis, land use entitlement applications and/or overseeing multi-disciplinary technical teams for resource technical studies and permitting.     
• A valid U.S. Driver's license is required for this role.
• Due to the nature of the work, US Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience successfully managing and preparing CEQA and NEPA documentation, strong understanding of current state and federal regulations and guidance.
• Electric transmission and renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage) experience through preparing CEQA and/or NEPA documents, routing and siting analysis, critical issues analysis, land use entitlement applications and/or overseeing multi-disciplinary technical teams for resource technical studies and permitting.
• Experience and relationships with California planning and resource agencies, and with processing project applications for land use entitlements.
• Experience leading licensing with the CPUC and other state transmission agencies.
• Experience leading NEPA and technical studies and other requirements of projects located on federal lands.
• Project management experience on environmental planning and permitting projects.
• Strong organizational skills, spreadsheet/document tracking skills, and an ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you'll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you've always envisioned. Here, you'll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community-where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.