Senior Environmental Planner

About the role

• Senior Environmental Planner & Project Manager
• Hybrid or Remote within California
• Help Shape the Future of California's Infrastructure and Communities

At ICF, we don't just navigate environmental challenges, we help our clients solve some of the most complex infrastructure, permitting, and sustainability issues facing California and the nation. We are enthusiastic about doing what is right for our clients, our people, the communities where we live and work, and the environment. We are planners, scientists, engineers, program managers, economists, communicators, and strategists united by a common purpose: delivering solutions that improve communities while protecting the environment.

As our energy, water, transportation, and infrastructure practices continue to grow, we are seeking an exceptional Senior Planner & Project Manager to join our California team. This is an opportunity for a seasoned environmental leader to lead multidisciplinary teams, grow key client relationships, mentor future leaders, and help shape major projects from concept through construction.

If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, enjoy developing innovative solutions to complex regulatory challenges, and are passionate about advancing projects that matter, we'd love to talk with you.

What You'll Do

As a Senior Environmental Planner & Project Manager, you will serve as a trusted advisor, project leader, and technical expert for public and private sector clients across California and beyond. You will lead complex environmental planning, permitting, and compliance efforts while helping expand ICF's market presence and mentoring the next generation of environmental professionals.

Leadership & Program Management

• Manage environmental planning and compliance projects across all sectors with a focus on water and infrastructure projects.
• Serve as a Senior Project Manager for high-profile projects.
• Management of federal, state, and local permitting and compliance for projects in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] and National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA] and other regulations.
• Serve as a point of contact with private, local, state, and federal government clients.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams of planners, engineers, scientists, economists, cultural resource specialists, biologists, environmental compliance professionals, and technologists.
• Manage project scope, budgets, schedules, quality, and risk while ensuring successful client outcomes.
• Foster collaboration across technical disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.

Environmental Planning, NEPA, CEQA & Permitting

• Lead preparation and review of CEQA and NEPA documentation.
• Lead regulatory strategy, agency consultation, mitigation planning, and environmental risk management for complex infrastructure projects, including development of avoidance, minimization, compensatory mitigation, and compliance approaches that support efficient project delivery.
• Provide technical expertise related to environmental regulations, permitting pathways, agency consultation, and environmental review processes.
• Guide clients through federal, state, and local permitting requirements and environmental compliance obligations.
• Review technical studies addressing biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, noise, hydrology, transportation, land use, and related disciplines.

Client Leadership & Business Development

• Serve as a point of contact and trusted advisor for public agencies, infrastructure owners, developers, and construction and engineering partners.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams through complex and high-visibility environmental review processes, including projects with significant public interest, interagency coordination, technical complexity, and schedule or permitting risk.
• Build and strengthen client relationships while identifying opportunities to expand existing contracts and develop new business.
• Manage proposal development, including strategy, capture planning, scopes of work, budgets, and pursuit teams.

People Leadership

• Mentor, coach, and develop junior environmental professionals
• Provide technical oversight, quality reviews, and strategic guidance on complex projects.
• Help build and strengthen high-performing teams that deliver exceptional results for clients.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and growth-oriented culture.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Biology, Geography, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible environmental planning, environmental compliance, permitting, and project delivery experience.
• Experience managing CEQA and NEPA projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting transportation, water resources, energy, restoration, community development, or other major infrastructure projects.
• Experience with water infrastructure, flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, wastewater, rail, transportation, or other major California public works programs.
• Experience working with resource agencies, permitting authorities, and local jurisdictions.
• Experience serving as Project Manager on large, multi-year programs.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and delivering large projects through all phases of development.
• Experience with federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, permitting processes, and agency coordination requirements.
• Client management, project management, and business development experience.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we're not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

Work Authorization and Sponsorship

All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for new H-1B visa sponsorship by ICF. Candidates who currently hold valid work authorization may be considered for a change of employer petition, subject to company policy and applicable immigration requirements.

Pay Range

There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is

$108,006.00 - $183,610.00

California Remote Office (CA99)