Senior Urban Planner – Community Planning & Business Development

Environmental Science Associates • Oakland, CA

99d • $138,000 - $169,000

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 seeks a highly motivated Senior Urban Planner – Community Planning & Business Development to join us in one of our Bay Area offices in California. We are seeking a proactive individual with 10+ years of experience in planning or a related field (8 years with a master’s degree) who is intellectually curious and eager to advance our established team of community planners, climate planners, and environmental consultants. This role emphasizes project management and delivery, internal cross-collaboration, and business development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban planning, Urban Design, Environmental Studies, or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree with 8 years of relevant experience.
• Proven track record of managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Strong grasp of policy planning, land use permitting, community revitalization and resilience, and relevant regulatory and environmental processes.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Experience in business development and client relationship management.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with community engagement and environmental justice initiatives.
• Familiarity with innovative technologies in planning and environmental consulting.
• Knowledge of local regulatory practices and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage community, climate and resilience planning projects, such as Specific Plans, Master Plans, Area Plans, Neighborhood Plans, General Plan Updates, Coastal Plans, due diligence, entitlement permits, Climate Adaptation Plans, Sustainability Plans, zoning and design standards, environmental justice, community engagement, and related work.
• Oversee project schedules, logistics, budget tracking, invoicing, and team communications to ensure timely and successful project delivery.
• Apply critical thinking to adapt techniques and procedures in the development of work products for clients.
• Manage multi-disciplinary project teams and subconsultants, ensuring high-quality deliverables and regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to the organization’s innovation program by exploring and integrating new technologies to improve workflows.
• Leverage communication, coordination, and teamwork among ESA’s business lines and regions to achieve organizational goals.
• Organize and lead interdepartmental meetings and initiatives to align strategies and share information.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing, identify interdepartmental opportunities, and develop processes to enhance efficiency and streamline workflows.
• Support internal cross-pollination opportunities, particularly with community planning services.
• Facilitate in-house networking opportunities to encourage collaboration among practice groups.
• Drive revenue growth by nurturing client relationships, acquiring new clients, and supporting ESA’s market initiatives.
• Analyze market trends, customer needs, and competitive landscapes to identify opportunities.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including seeking leads and prepositioning for opportunities.
• Form and maintain strategic partnerships and alliances with potential clients, partners, and industry influencers.
• Lead proposal efforts, including scope preparation and budget development, and implement strategies for future workload growth.
• Foster an inclusive work environment, actively supporting JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) initiatives to ensure employees feel valued and empowered.
• Participate in recruitment, hiring, and onboarding to ensure the team is adequately staffed.
• Identify employee skill needs and assist in organizing relevant training sessions and workshops.
• Develop mentoring relationships with junior staff, providing guidance and support for their professional growth.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $138,000—$169,000 USD.
• Employee ownership structure.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees