ICF Next

Senior Environmental Planner

ICF Next$108K — $183K *
Real Estate & Construction
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Studies, or related field.
  • 8+ years of experience in environmental planning and project delivery.
  • Experience managing complex CEQA and NEPA projects.
  • Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in environmental contexts.
  • Strong client management and business development skills.

Responsibilities

  • Manage large, complex environmental planning projects with a focus on water and infrastructure.
  • Serve as Senior Project Manager for high-profile projects within compliance frameworks.
  • Oversee permitting processes in accordance with CEQA and NEPA regulations.
  • Act as a primary contact for government clients and stakeholders.
  • Guide teams through technical and regulatory challenges in project execution.
  • Drive growth initiatives and business development across California.

Benefits

  • Flexible work environment (hybrid or remote options within California).
  • Opportunity for professional growth and mentorship.
  • Engagement with high-profile projects that shape community infrastructure.
  • Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams of experts.
  • Involvement in strategic decision-making processes for impactful environmental projects.
Full Job Description
Senior Environmental Planner & Project Manager

Hybrid or Remote within California

Help Shape the Future of California's Infrastructure and Communities

As our energy, water, transportation, and infrastructure practices continue to grow, we are seeking an exceptional Senior Planner & Project Manager to join our California team. This is an opportunity for a seasoned environmental leader to drive strategic programs, lead multidisciplinary teams, grow key client relationships, mentor future leaders, and help shape major projects from concept through construction.

If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, enjoy developing innovative solutions to complex regulatory challenges, and are passionate about advancing projects that matter, we'd love to talk with you.

What You'll Do

As a Principal Environmental Planner & Project Manager, you will serve as a trusted advisor, project leader, and technical expert for public and private sector clients across California and beyond. You will lead complex environmental planning, permitting, and compliance efforts while helping expand ICF's market presence and mentoring the next generation of environmental professionals.

Leadership & Program Management
  • Manage large, complex environmental planning and compliance projects across all sectors with a focus on water and infrastructure projects.
  • Serve as a Senior Project Manager for high-profile projects.
  • Management of federal, state, and local permitting and compliance for projects in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] and National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA] and other regulations.
  • Serve as a point of contact with private, local, state, and federal government clients.
  • Work with multidisciplinary teams of planners, engineers, scientists, economists, cultural resource specialists, biologists, environmental compliance professionals, and technologists.
  • Manage project scope, budgets, schedules, quality, and risk while ensuring successful client outcomes.
  • Foster collaboration across technical disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.


Environmental Planning, NEPA, CEQA & Permitting
  • Lead preparation and review of complex CEQA and NEPA documentation.
  • Lead regulatory strategy, agency consultation, mitigation planning, and environmental risk management for complex infrastructure projects, including development of avoidance, minimization, compensatory mitigation, and compliance approaches that support efficient project delivery.
  • Provide technical expertise related to environmental regulations, permitting pathways, agency consultation, and environmental review processes.
  • Guide clients through federal, state, and local permitting requirements and environmental compliance obligations.
  • Review technical studies addressing biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, noise, hydrology, transportation, land use, and related disciplines.


Client Leadership & Business Development
  • Serve as a point of contact and trusted advisor for public agencies, infrastructure owners, developers, and construction and engineering partners.
  • Guide multidisciplinary teams through complex and high-visibility environmental review processes, including projects with significant public interest, interagency coordination, technical complexity, and schedule or permitting risk.
  • Build and strengthen client relationships while identifying opportunities to expand existing contracts and develop new business.
  • Manage proposal development, including strategy, capture planning, scopes of work, budgets, and pursuit teams.
  • Help drive growth across California while contributing to national opportunities.


People Leadership
  • Mentor, coach, and develop junior environmental professionals
  • Provide technical oversight, quality reviews, and strategic guidance on complex projects.
  • Help build and strengthen high-performing teams that deliver exceptional results for clients.
  • Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and growth-oriented culture.


What You Bring

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Biology, Geography, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or a related field.
  • 8+ years of progressively responsible environmental planning, environmental compliance, permitting, and project delivery experience.
  • Experience managing complex CEQA and NEPA projects.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in a related discipline.
  • Experience supporting transportation, water resources, energy, restoration, community development, or other major infrastructure projects.
  • Experience with water infrastructure, flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, wastewater, rail, transportation, or other major California public works programs.
  • Expertise working with resource agencies, permitting authorities, and local jurisdictions.
  • Experience serving as Program Manager or Project Director on large, multi-year programs.
  • Existing relationships with California public agencies and infrastructure clients.
  • Experience supervising and developing staff.
  • Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and delivering large projects through all phases of development.
  • Experience with federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, permitting processes, and agency coordination requirements.
  • Client management, project management, and business development experience.


Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration. Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact [redacted] for assistance.

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:
$108,006.00 - $183,610.00

California Remote Office (CA99)

About ICF Next

ICF Next is a global marketing and communications agency that provides a wide range of services to clients in various industries, including healthcare, energy, and transportation. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia. ICF Next offers a comprehensive suite of services, including branding, digital marketing, public relations, and social media management. The company has a strong reputation for delivering innovative and effective solutions that help its clients achieve their business objectives. ICF Next is committed to sustainability and social responsibility, and it has received numerous awards for its work in these areas.
Learn more about ICF Next
Size
8,000 employees
Market Cap
$1.8 billion
Industry
Net Income
$54.9 million
Founded
1969
5 Year Trend
+5.6%
Revenue
$1.5 billion
NASDAQ

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