Senior Environmental Planner – Energy & Permitting

About Us

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 600+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place To Work® certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team members' experiences.

About The Role

We are seeking a Senior Environmental Planner to join our Energy and Utilities Team, supporting renewable energy, battery energy storage, electric transmission, and other energy infrastructure projects throughout California and other western states. This role offers the opportunity to lead complex routing, siting, permitting, and environmental review efforts; collaborate with multidisciplinary technical teams; and work directly with industry-leading clients advancing clean energy in the Western U.S.

How We Collaborate

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

What You’ll Do

Lead and manage discretionary land use entitlement and permitting efforts for renewable energy, battery storage, electric transmission, and other energy infrastructure projects

Lead routing, siting, and permitting efforts for electric transmission, renewable energy, battery energy storage, and other utility infrastructure projects

Develop permitting and entitlement strategies to support project development, construction, and operation

Develop and oversee routing studies, constraints analyses, feasibility assessments, permitting strategies, encroachment permitting efforts, technical studies, and entitlement pathways to support project development and implementation

Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams of planners, biologists, cultural resource specialists, engineers, and other technical experts to deliver integrated project solutions

Manage project tasks, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and client communications across multiple concurrent projects

Conduct land use, zoning, and policy analyses to support project siting, entitlement, routing, and environmental review efforts

Interface directly with clients, regulatory agencies, Tribal representatives, stakeholders, and community members throughout project development and environmental review processes

Support and lead agency consultation efforts and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations

Prepare and participate in public meetings, workshops, hearings, and presentations before agency decision-making bodies

Mentor junior staff and contribute to technical quality through QA/QC review, training, and knowledge sharing

Support business development efforts, including proposal preparation, scope and budget development, and client relationship management

Contribute to the advancement of clean energy in the Western U.S. through the successful delivery of renewable energy and infrastructure projects

What You’ll Bring

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Urban Planning, or a related field; advanced degree preferred

7+ years of relevant environmental planning, permitting, or environmental consulting experience

Experience supporting renewable energy, battery storage, electric transmission, utility, or other infrastructure projects in the Western U.S.

Strong understanding of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, permitting requirements, encroachment permitting processes, and agency review processes

Demonstrated experience supporting permitting, encroachment permitting, routing, siting, land use entitlement, or environmental compliance efforts for infrastructure projects

Demonstrated experience preparing and managing NEPA documents. Familiarity with CEQA.

Experience conducting permitting analyses, entitlement strategies, constraints assessments, and feasibility studies

Experience coordinating with local jurisdictions, transportation agencies, utility providers, and regulatory agencies to obtain project approvals and permits

Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and manage project schedules, budgets, and deliverables

Excellent technical writing, communication, presentation, and client management skills

Strong research, analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities

Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced consulting environment

Investing in You

The base salary range for this full-time position is $95,000 – 140,000, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page .

Additional Employment Information

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.

Rincon Consultants does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.