Principal-level Environmental/CEQA Practitioner

Job Description:

PlaceWorks is seeking a full-time Principal of environmental services to lead our Environmental Team in one of six office locations throughout California. We are seeking an individual with a minimum of 10 – 15+ years of professional experience overseeing preparation of CEQA and/or NEPA documents and leading complex environmental review processes. Experience with business development, oversight of project and team budgets, and strategic input into the growth of the team is required. Demonstrated ability and genuine interest in mentoring, training, and developing staff are essential. Principals are responsible for senior-level technical oversight and leadership in quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) for internal work products.

Our Environmental Team works in a highly collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment, partnering with staff and technical experts across multiple office locations. Typical work of our environmental planning practice encompasses a diverse portfolio of public and private sector projects, including general and specific plans, educational facilities, parks and recreation, mixed-use developments, commercial centers, and infrastructure projects.

This is a Principal-level position. Principals within our firm are recognized as industry leaders and trusted advisors to clients and communities. Principals have a proven track record of successfully leading and managing multidisciplinary teams, complex projects, high-level presentations, strategic marketing, business development, and client relationships—all of which are critical competencies the ideal candidate must possess.

You’re most likely a fit if:

• You are a strategic and creative problem solver with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset, who can maintain a sense of camaraderie, and are passionate about environmental services work and leveraging your expertise to advance community and environmental outcomes.
• You’re a highly motivated self-starter who can work both independently and in a dynamic, highly collaborative environment, including a hybrid work environment with regular in-office collaboration (minimum two days per week) and flexibility for remote work as needed.
• Managing multiple projects is second nature, and you have demonstrated success leading and delivering complex CEQA and/or NEPA projects of varying scale and complexity, within budget and schedule. Project management responsibilities include, but are not limited to, leading proposal strategy and preparation, budget development and management, staff and subconsultant coordination, team leadership, schedule oversight, billing and financial review, contract negotiation and administration, client communication, quality assurance/quality control, and stakeholder and community engagement.
• You have exceptional technical writing skills and are experienced in preparing clear, concise, technically rigorous, and legally defensible environmental analyses and documentation in compliance with CEQA and/or NEPA.
• You are experienced with leading and preparing environmental documentation across the full spectrum of CEQA compliance, from exemptions through Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs).
• You maintain current knowledge of evolving regulations, case law, and best practices related to environmental compliance, CEQA, and NEPA.
• You have excellent verbal communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively engage clients, agency staff, stakeholders, and the public in a professional and confident manner.
• You have demonstrated success in marketing, business development, and proposal leadership, including identifying opportunities, cultivating client relationships, and contributing to firm growth.
• You have the professional presence and business acumen to build and sustain strong working relationships with staff across disciplines, clients, community-based organizations, government agencies, and industry partners.
• You are passionate about mentoring and developing staff, fostering an environment where others can grow, contribute meaningfully, and share in project success. You effectively delegate, provide clear direction, and deliver timely, constructive feedback.
• You have strong leadership capabilities to grow and lead teams, and to foster an inclusive, respectful, and empowering workplace culture where all staff feel valued and supported.
• You’re comfortable and confident in public speaking and executive-level presentations—you’ll be expected to represent PlaceWorks at interviews, public hearings, community workshops, and professional conferences.
• You’re able to coordinate and attend client meetings and community engagement events, including those that may occur on evenings and weekends, and are willing to travel as needed.
• You possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning; land use or environmental law; or a closely related field.
• You have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• You have a reliable means of transportation to and from work, and to perform site visits, attend meetings, and support project needs as required.

The pay range for this position is $170,000 – $200,000+ per year, dependent upon experience and other relevant factors.

Application Instructions:

When applying, attach your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample as three (3) separate PDF attachments. Each attachment must be under 500KB. Alternatively, include a link to your writing sample if it exceeds 500KB. In your cover letter, please specify which office location you are interested in.

Job Requirements: (see above job description)

About PlaceWorks:

Based in California, PlaceWorks is a 100% employee-owned planning, design, and environmental consulting firm. The firm’s expertise and services span a wide range of practices, including city planning, urban design, landscape architecture, environmental review, GIS, and community participation. Our interdisciplinary, holistic approach integrates sustainability, economic vitality, community goals, and collaboration with our clients in the planning and design process. With a 50-year history of providing award-winning projects, we are passionate about our work and together with our clients, will continue to create great places. Learn more about the work we do and how we do it at: https://placeworks.com/.

PlaceWorks’ mission is to envision and create great places, and that includes our own workplace. You can view the perks and benefits we offer our employees at: https://placeworks.com/our-culture/.

PlaceWorks is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at PlaceWorks are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military and veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other status covered by applicable federal, state, or local law.