Consultant, Environmental Planner – Utilities & Vegetation Management - Northern California

ERM•Walnut Creek, CA

3d•$76,552 - $96,901•Hybrid

About The Position

Are you ready to shape the future of sustainable infrastructure in California? Join ERM’s fastest-growing global service line and make an impact on projects that power communities while protecting the environment. If you thrive on solving complex challenges and want to work with some of the most respected professionals in environmental planning, this is your opportunity. Why This Role Matters ERM’s Impact Assessment & Planning (IAP) team is at the forefront of guiding major development projects through environmental planning and permitting. With over 1,000 experts worldwide and a reputation for tackling the most challenging projects, we help clients achieve success while minimizing sustainability risks. This role is critical in supporting California utilities with vegetation management and maintenance activities—ensuring compliance, safety, and environmental stewardship. What Your Impact Is As a Consultant, Environmental Planner – Utilities & Vegetation Management in Northern California (Walnut Creek, or Sacramento offices) , you will serve as the Contract Environmental Lead for a large California utility. You’ll coordinate permitting efforts, manage agency reviews, and ensure projects meet regulatory requirements. Your work will directly influence project timelines, environmental compliance, and client satisfaction—making you a key player in delivering sustainable solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, biology, environmental science, or related field
0–3 years of experience with CEQA review and California natural resource regulatory permitting, including experience with electric/gas transmission and generation markets in California
Technical competency in environmental permitting and planning
General knowledge of biology, environmental compliance, cultural resources, water and air quality, and hazardous materials
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Commitment to safety and collaborative teamwork

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field

Responsibilities

Act as Contract Environmental Lead, coordinating project reviews and permitting under agencies such as USFS, BLM, CA State Parks, USFWS, and others
Review project details for accuracy and completeness
Develop comprehensive project descriptions and ensure consistency across deliverables
Assign agency reviews, mapping needs, and due dates based on client guidance
Track projects from onboarding to completion
Identify and communicate schedule delays and constraints, both internally with the ERM team and externally with the client
Lead internal and external status meetings
Prepare permit notifications and draft agency notifications for permit applications
Create construction guidance documents for utility crews outlining environmental requirements
Coordinate post-impact assessments for emergency or pre-release work
Drive innovation within ERM’s Impact Assessment & Planning service offering
Meet health & safety standards, financial targets, and client expectations