Conservation Planner

The Conservation Planner will assist in the reconnaissance, acquisition, development, and entitlement of mitigation projects (i.e., permittee responsible mitigation-PRM, mitigation banks, In-Lieu Fee programs-ILFs, and turn keys). The position will require the ability to work closely with other disciplines within the office, consultants as well as with a variety of federal, state, and local resource agencies to achieve regional goals.  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Prepare and secure approval of Mitigation/Conservation Banking documents, including Prospectus, Banking Instruments and all technical documents, conservation easements, endowments, and credit releases.
• Manage project teams (internal staff and external consultants), with the ability to maintain clear communication, working relationships, and facilitate product development.
• Assist in project budget development and manage and track financial expenditures to the approved budget.
• Develop and maintain detailed project and task schedules, and management of the project to the approved timelines.
• Engage with regulatory agency staff, either independently or as part of the project management team, to solve complex project development issues.
• Identify areas of entitlement process improvement and engage in developing process solutions.
• Track and maintain project compliance.
• Assist in business and brand development through participation in client meetings and speaking engagements at technical conferences.
• Work collaboratively with the team to achieve safety, continuous improvement, ecological and business goals.
• Conduct or manage the development of mitigation documents for new and existing sites.
• Participate in discussions with non-profits, community members and other stake holders to assist in local relationships and project development.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Biology, Forestry, Landscape Architecture or related field.
• Five years’ experience related to CEQA, NEPA, 404 permitting, mitigation planning or design.
• Good knowledge of California’s biological habitats, species and general conservation.
• Solid writing and reading skills. Experience in writing/developing mitigation documents preferred.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with team members of other disciplines.
• Good understanding of federal environmental laws and policies.