Project Manager/NEPA Environmental Planner-Energy

Environmental Science Associates•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$125,000 - $155,000

About The Position

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States. ESA is looking for a highly motivated Project Manager / National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Planner to support various Energy-related projects in California, Nevada, and Arizona. We are looking for a team member with 10+ years of related work experience with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental planning, policy, science, or a related interdisciplinary field, who can manage various energy projects that involve NEPA and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regulatory analysis, Project Management Assistance Contractor (PMAC) services, and environmental compliance. Experience preparing third-party NEPA documents and supporting applicant-prepared NEPA documents is a must. We are seeking a candidate with proven NEPA experience, strong client delivery and rapport. This opportunity places a high value on collaboration, delivery, and the desire to grow. Who You Are You are an experienced project manager with 10+ years of experience with a focus on energy projects and skilled in leading complex, multifaceted environmental analysis efforts, particularly for energy-related projects. You have a strong record of mentoring and developing project teams and are adept at managing highly complex or controversial environmental documents. You have extensive knowledge of the NEPA and similar federal regulations, including BLM regulations, the BLM Manuals and Handbooks, Instructional Memorandums guiding various BLM Field Offices, in addition to supplemental information report (SIR) and supplemental environmental reports (SERs), experience drafting different levels of NEPA documents (e.g., CatEx, EA, EIS), and experience supporting all stages of the NEPA process including public engagement, alternatives and comment analysis, decision support, and the administrative record. You bring intellectual curiosity and strong leadership skills, thriving in collaborative settings that call for innovative problem‑solving. Your diverse experience allows you to think creatively and adapt quickly. You are able to tackle complex regulatory and development challenges with ease, supporting both private energy developers and public agency clients with practical, forward‑thinking solutions. You have experience managing a project from initiation through completion - developing project proposals to overseeing day-to-day project assignments, strong schedule management, meeting deadlines, and tracking financial performance. You are known for preparing documents that are clear, concise, well-written and supported and for your ability to present information understandably and to speak persuasively about complex topics to colleagues, clients, agency staff, teaming partners, other project stakeholders and the general public. You are a proactive and respectful leader who communicates effectively and works collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams. You help identify and address broader project or team challenges with professionalism, empathy, and integrity. You partner closely with clients and team members to deliver projects on time and within budget, drawing on your experience developing and managing scopes, schedules, and budgets. You also have an interest in business development and have contributed to winning new work through your network and proposal support.

Requirements

Experienced project manager with 10+ years of experience with a focus on energy projects and skilled in leading complex, multifaceted environmental analysis efforts, particularly for energy-related projects.
Strong record of mentoring and developing project teams and are adept at managing highly complex or controversial environmental documents.
Extensive knowledge of the NEPA and similar federal regulations, including BLM regulations, the BLM Manuals and Handbooks, Instructional Memorandums guiding various BLM Field Offices, in addition to supplemental information report (SIR) and supplemental environmental reports (SERs), experience drafting different levels of NEPA documents (e.g., CatEx, EA, EIS), and experience supporting all stages of the NEPA process including public engagement, alternatives and comment analysis, decision support, and the administrative record.
Intellectual curiosity and strong leadership skills, thriving in collaborative settings that call for innovative problem‑solving.
Ability to tackle complex regulatory and development challenges with ease, supporting both private energy developers and public agency clients with practical, forward‑thinking solutions.
Experience managing a project from initiation through completion - developing project proposals to overseeing day-to-day project assignments, strong schedule management, meeting deadlines, and tracking financial performance.
Known for preparing documents that are clear, concise, well-written and supported and for your ability to present information understandably and to speak persuasively about complex topics to colleagues, clients, agency staff, teaming partners, other project stakeholders and the general public.
Proactive and respectful leader who communicates effectively and works collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams. You help identify and address broader project or team challenges with professionalism, empathy, and integrity.
Partner closely with clients and team members to deliver projects on time and within budget, drawing on your experience developing and managing scopes, schedules, and budgets. You also have an interest in business development and have contributed to winning new work through your network and proposal support.
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental planning, policy, science, or a related interdisciplinary field
Experience preparing third-party NEPA documents and supporting applicant-prepared NEPA documents is a must.
Proven NEPA experience, strong client delivery and rapport.

Responsibilities

Lead energy projects of varying complexity while serving as a technical specialist in environmental planning and review.
Demonstrate a clear understanding of project and client management principles.
Manage projects through the NEPA process - including the development of NEPA-compliant documents tailored to the appropriate level of environmental review - ensuring all deliverables meet scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations.
Coordinate tasks with appropriate technical disciplines, track progress, conduct quality reviews, and oversee the preparation and refinement of professional work products.
Serve as the primary author for planning and environmental documents, lead or support client and public meetings, and communicate complex information clearly to diverse stakeholders.
Consistently demonstrate your strong writing and attentive listening skills, participate in and/or lead client meetings, and clearly present information about complex topics to clients, agency staff, teaming partners, other project stakeholders and the general public.
Provide mentorship to staff on the NEPA process, guiding team members on how to structure and write clear, compliant environmental documents.
Provide peer review and coach others on using precise, objective, and defensible language that aligns with NEPA requirements and agency standards.
Help staff understand how to document analyses transparently and thoroughly so that the final products are legally defensible and can withstand public and agency scrutiny.
Contribute to marketing and business development by understanding client needs, preparing scopes and budgets, and participating in proposals and interviews.
Manage multiple priorities while working both independently and collaboratively.