Environmental Planner

Description Job Summary: The Environmental Planner is a senior technical position responsible for overseeing the technical development, review, quality, and delivery of environmental consulting projects within CEHMM’s Environmental Services Division. This position provides technical leadership in environmental planning, regulatory compliance, environmental assessments, and environmental documentation, including projects conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The Environmental Planner ensures that environmental documents and consulting deliverables are accurate, defensible, consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, and completed within established project schedules and budgets. The position provides technical guidance and oversight to project personnel, coordinates with clients and regulatory agencies, and supports the Environmental Services Manager in maintaining and expanding the division’s technical capabilities and consulting services.

The Environmental Planner is primarily responsible for technical oversight, project quality, and delivery rather than day-to-day departmental management. The position works collaboratively with the Environmental Service Manager, natural resource specialists, field personnel, and other technical staff to deliver high-quality environmental consulting services to public and private sector clients..

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Environmental Planning and Technical Oversight

• Oversee the technical development, preparation, and review of environmental planning documents and consulting deliverables.
• Lead or provide technical oversight for NEPA documentation, including Environmental Assessments (EAs), Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), categorical exclusions and determinations, and associated supporting documentation.
• Oversee or coordinate Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), as well as other environmental due diligence and site assessment projects, as appropriate to the division’s services.
• Review environmental reports, technical studies, resource assessments, permit applications, and supporting documentation for accuracy, completeness, consistency, and regulatory compliance.
• Establish and maintain technical standards, document templates, quality-control procedures, and best practices for environmental consulting deliverables.
• Identify potential environmental constraints, permitting requirements, project risks, and regulatory issues and recommend practical solutions.
• Ensure environmental documentation is supported by appropriate field data, technical analyses, agency consultation, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Regulatory Compliance and Agency Coordination

• Maintain working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, policies, and guidance.
• Interpret and apply NEPA requirements and other applicable environmental regulations to project-specific circumstances.
• Coordinate with federal and state agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and New Mexico State Land Office, as appropriate.
• Support consultation and coordination involving applicable natural resource, cultural resource, and other environmental requirements.
• Monitor regulatory changes and communicate their potential impacts to the Environmental Services Manager and project teams.
• Support the preparation of responses to agency comments, requests for additional information, and technical review findings.

Project Coordination and Delivery

• Coordinate the technical execution of multiple environmental consulting projects simultaneously.
• Develop or support project scopes of work, schedules, budgets, deliverable milestones, and resource requirements.
• Monitor project progress and proactively identify schedule delays, scope changes, technical challenges, and potential budget concerns.
• Coordinate with Environmental Services Manager and technical staff to ensure appropriate staffing, data collection, analysis, and document preparation.
• Review deliverables before submission to clients or agencies and ensure comments are addressed appropriately.
• Support Environmental Services Manager in maintaining productive client relationships and meeting contractual commitments.
• Assist with subcontractor coordination and review of subcontractor deliverables, as assigned.

Technical Leadership and Staff Development

• Provide technical direction, mentoring, and quality-control guidance to Environmental Services Manager, natural resource specialists, and other assigned technical personnel.
• Establish clear expectations for technical work products, documentation standards, and project deliverables.
• Identify training needs and support staff development in NEPA, environmental assessments, regulatory compliance, technical writing, and project delivery.
• Promote consistency in technical methods, reporting, and document review across the Environmental Services Division.
• Provide constructive feedback and recommend improvements to technical workflows and project execution.
• Elevate staffing, performance, or resource concerns to the Environmental Services Manager as appropriate.

Environmental Consulting Business Support

• Support the Environmental Services Manager in developing and expanding CEHMM’s environmental consulting services.
• Assist with technical proposals, scopes of work, cost estimates, qualifications packages, and responses to requests for proposals.
• Participate in client meetings, project scoping discussions, and business-development activities as appropriate.
• Identify opportunities to expand services related to environmental planning, NEPA compliance, permitting, environmental due diligence, and regulatory support.
• Help maintain positive relationships with existing clients, prospective clients, and regulatory agencies.
• Support the development of repeatable, efficient, and cost-effective consulting processes that improve service delivery and project profitability.

Documentation, Reporting, and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain organized project records, technical documentation, review comments, and supporting materials.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, technical guidance, checklists, and quality-assurance practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve document preparation, technical review, project coordination, and resource utilization.
• Provide regular updates to the Environmental Services Manager regarding project status, deliverables, technical risks, and resource needs.
• Ensure project work is conducted in accordance with CEHMM policies, contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and professional standards.

Other Duties

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental planning, natural resources, biology, ecology, geology, environmental policy, or a closely related field.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in environmental consulting, environmental planning, NEPA compliance, environmental permitting, or preparation and review of environmental documentation.
• Demonstrated experience preparing or reviewing Environmental Assessments, NEPA documentation, environmental reports, or comparable regulatory deliverables.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical assignments, coordinate project deliverables, and meet deadlines.
• Strong technical writing, editing, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience coordinating with clients, project teams, and regulatory agencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to review and interpret technical data and supporting documentation.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel for project meetings, site visits, or other business needs as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in environmental science, environmental planning, natural resources, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of relevant environmental consulting or regulatory experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading or reviewing complex NEPA projects, including EAs and EISs.
• Experience with Phase I Environmental Site Assessments conducted in accordance with applicable ASTM standards and the federal All Appropriate Inquiries requirements.
• Experience with categorical exclusions, environmental permitting, environmental due diligence, and federal land management requirements.
• Familiarity with BLM and New Mexico State Land Office processes and requirements.
• Experience supporting energy development, oil and gas, infrastructure, transmission, land development, or other projects requiring environmental review.
• Experience developing proposals, scopes of work, project budgets, and cost estimates.
• Experience mentoring technical staff and establishing quality-control procedures.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS or other relevant mapping and environmental data tools.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of environmental planning and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to independently evaluate technical documents and identify deficiencies, regulatory concerns, and project risks.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and regulatory information clearly to clients, agency personnel, and staff.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, defensible, high-quality work products.
• Ability to organize multiple assignments, establish priorities, and meet competing deadlines.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment, work independently, and escalate significant concerns appropriately.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and constructive feedback without assuming responsibilities assigned to the Environmental Services Manager.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and maintain professional relationships with clients, agencies, and colleagues.
• Commitment to CEHMM’s mission, professional standards, safety practices, and organizational values.

Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position will be evaluated based on:

• Quality, accuracy, and regulatory defensibility of technical deliverables.
• Timely completion of project milestones and client commitments.
• Effectiveness of technical review, quality assurance, and document consistency.
• Identification and communication of project risks, resource needs, and regulatory issues.
• Effectiveness in providing technical guidance and developing staff capabilities.
• Contribution to improved technical processes, efficiency, and consulting service delivery.
• Support for proposal development, client relationships, and growth of environmental consulting services.
• Professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and compliance with CEHMM policies and procedures.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements This position primarily performs work in an office environment, with periodic travel to project sites, client locations, and regulatory meetings as required. Field visits may involve uneven terrain, variable weather conditions, and exposure to typical environmental field conditions. The position requires the ability to use a computer and standard office equipment and to communicate effectively with clients, agencies, and coworkers.

Reasonable accommodations will be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Physical Requirements This position requires regular travel throughout the region, attendance at conferences and meetings, with overnight travel occurring regularly. Work is performed in office, client, conference, and field environments.

This position is not eligible for long-term remote work.

This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Candidate may be required to present official transcripts, certificates, licenses, etc. as verification of qualifications.