Environmental Planner

Job Location

Position Type

Education Level

Salary Range

ESA seeks a highly motivated Environmental Plannerto join us in the Northern California (Sacramento) Water Group. We are looking for a team member who has the intellectual curiosity and initiative to support a variety of analyses and evaluations related to environmental review and resource permitting. This is an entry-level opportunity in our ever-growing team of professionals focusing on water-related projects. This opportunity is focused on collaboration, delivery, and desire to grow.

Who We Are

We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients.

Who You Are

You hold a Bachelor’s degree with major course work in environmental planning and/or science, geography, earth science, public or water policy, or an interdisciplinary field; or you have a related degree and directly relevant qualifications.

You are an effective team member and communicator who contributes constructively and cooperatively to solve project or team issues while working collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment.

A recent or near graduate with zero to two years of professional experience working in a consulting environment conducting research for and preparing sections of CEQA and NEPA analyses, resource-related permit applications, and other types of environmental evaluations.

You are an effective team member with excellent oral and writing skills who is able to assist with reconnaissance level field evaluations and assessments then assist in the preparation of written reports, maps, working papers, and client correspondence.

You are available to work a hybrid schedule from our Sacramento office.

What You Will Do for ESA

This role includes performing, with regular supervision, duties such as project research, data collection and analysis, report writing, and support public outreach efforts relating to water, wastewater, and recycled water infrastructure; flood protection and restoration; public water policy; environmental review; and permitting. Other supporting tasks include record/reference compilation and maintenance and supporting our Project Managers with a variety of project-specific project administrative activities.

Within the Northern California Water Group, you will become integrated into multiple project teams focused on the planning and assessment of water, wastewater, and recycled water projects and plans. Depending on the project team’s needs you will conduct research in specific or general project areas, including such topics as adopted plans, policies, and regulations, and other published information. While you will work primarily with the Water Group, you will have opportunity to engage in work with other ESA teams such as Community Development/Planning and Energy Resources, as well as engage in data collection and analysis with technical practices such as biological resources and hydrology data collection teams.

As part of the team, you will interpret land use and environmental government codes, ordinances, and regulations, and assist with the review and update of planning documents. You will also consistently demonstrate your solid writing and attentive listening skills.

You will thrive in a fast-paced, challenging environment and be able to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines, while working on a team or independently. You will have opportunity to provide peer-to-peer mentorship and support for other staff, including, providing constructive feedback, career development discussions, and active identification of to highlight and celebrate the efforts of our staff.

ESA has established multiple pay ranges tailored to the economic factors in the geographies in which ESA staff reside. For this position the range is $66,560 – $85,929 annually based on our anticipated hiring location as noted in the above job details. Actual compensation is determined by a number of factors including but not limited to an individual’s related experience, education, skills, and the city in which the applicant lives.

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company shares through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, annual performance based bonuses, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

What’s Special About Our Water Team in Northern California

Protecting precious water resources is more important and challenging than ever for today’s communities. The Northern California Water Team partners with clients to thoughtfully navigate these complexities. Our team provides integrated, enduring solutions for the supply and conveyance of treated and recycled water, as well as wastewater reuse, watershed management and restoration, and flood control.

We work with clients to address aging dams, reservoirs, and other infrastructure systems to keep up with demand of a growing population’s residential and agricultural needs. Our team makes resilience planning in the face of climate change—including historic weather events, drought conditions, flood control, and sea level rise considerations—a top priority for dependable, long-lasting investments to critical infrastructure improvements.

We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration.

In accordance with ESA’s duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation.

ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)