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Rincon Consultants is seeking a **Senior Environmental Planner / Project Manager** to join our Renewable Energy Group, with demonstrated experience in CEQA and land use entitlement. This role blends environmental planning expertise with project leadership in support of renewable energy infrastructure projects, including utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage.

We’re looking for a skilled environmental planner who can lead a project team and guide projects through California environmental permitting processes—from constraints analysis and scoping through project entitlement and permitting. This role will be responsible for managing and preparing discretionary land use permit applications and CEQA/NEPA documents and coordinating with technical experts to deliver high-quality environmental studies and permits. This position also includes client interface and public presentations. Attention to detail, accountability, and the ability to lead and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams are essential.

While this role may offer flexible work arrangements that can include a mix of in-office and remote work, our changing business needs will ultimately determine our level of remote-work flexibility. Additionally, to promote in-person collaboration and client teaming, we prioritize hiring those who reside within 50 miles of a Rincon office which currently includes: Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  

+ Project Management & Technical Execution

+ Lead environmental planning projects from feasibility through land use entitlement and permitting.

+ Prepare or oversee CEQA/NEPA documents

+ Manage and conduct constraints analyses to assess project viability and inform planning decisions

+ Manage scopes, schedules, budgets, and deliverables across multiple concurrent projects

+ Contribute to QA/QC processes to support technical accuracy and consistency

Client Coordination & Regulatory Support 

+ Serve as a point of contact for clients, agencies, and consultant teams

+ Provide CEQA/NEPA guidance to support project planning and permitting

+ Collaborate across disciplines to align environmental review with client goals and regulatory expectations

Team Collaboration & Business Development 

+ Mentor junior staff and contribute to team knowledge-sharing

+ Assist with staffing coordination, performance feedback, and career development

+ Support proposal writing, cost estimating, and relationship-building in the renewable energy sector

+ Represent Rincon in client meetings and at industry events

This Job Might Be for You If You Have the Following:

+ Minimum of 5 years of related experience working in California; environmental consulting firm experience is preferred but not required.

+ ​​​​​​​BA/BS preferably in environmental science, urban planning or related discipline; an advanced degree is desired.

+ Strong knowledge of environmental planning principles and practices, including CEQA/NEPA and other relevant federal, state, and local environmental regulations.

+ Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills.

+ Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate with a large, multi-disciplinary team.

+ Solid schedule and budget management abilities.

+ Ability to travel periodically as projects require.

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is an award-winning leader in providing quality environmental consulting services throughout California and is recognized as a ‘Best Environmental Services Firm to Work For’ by the Zweig Group. We partner with clients in sectors such as transportation, energy and infrastructure, sustainability, climate change, oil and gas, water, commercial, private development, and government. Our 500+ associates in 13 offices located in Northern, Central and Southern California are dedicated professionals who combine their passion with our purpose.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $88,000–$140,000, plus a generous benefits program. At Rincon, our salary ranges are based on market median of similar jobs, according to third party salary benchmark surveys. The base pay that is actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We are proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package, providing our valued employees with many benefits to enhance their well-being and financial security. Our health benefits include a range of options such as HMO, PPO, HDHP, and Health Savings Account choices, ensuring you have the flexibility to select the plan that best suits your needs.

Additionally, you can enjoy peace of mind with employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, as well as dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. We prioritize your well-being by offering three weeks of vacation accrual in the first year, paid sick leave, and paid holidays, ensuring you have ample time off to rejuvenate. Planning for your future is made easier through our 401(k) / Profit Sharing Retirement Plan and bonus opportunities.

Beyond the essentials, Rincon recognizes the importance of personal and professional growth, that's why we provide opportunities for professional development and mentoring. Our commitment extends to the community through Volunteer Pay for a Day, reinforcing the values of social responsibility. Moreover, we go the extra mile with additional perks like Flexible Spending & Dependent Care, Supplemental life insurance, Legal Shield, Identity Protection, Pet Insurance, and much more. Check out more details on our Rincon Consultants webpage here !

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.

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Rincon Consultants, Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification, gender expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, family care, marital status, military and veteran or qualified disabled veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. Rincon Consultants, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E-Verify Program to ensure that all employees hired are legally able to work in the United States.