PRINCIPAL PLANNER

Description

Do you want to work at a company where the employee-owners genuinely care about each other and foster a collaborative environment?

Are you looking for an opportunity to build and lead your own CEQA/NEPA team in one of our growing offices?

Then we are looking for you! HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc. (HELIX), a California-based environmental consulting and planning firm, is seeking an experienced Principal Planner for our Pasadena or Irvine office locations. This role offers fantastic opportunities for growth and the ability to work with an exceptional management team on important projects – the sky is the limit!

This will be a senior position reporting to our Southern California Planning Division Manager, and with direct responsibility for business development, maintenance of client relationships, recruitment and mentoring of staff, and project management, working with environmental planning staff and specialists in other disciplines throughout HELIX’s Southern California offices.

The ideal candidate must possess strong project management and leadership skills, with the proven ability to complete large, complex projects within time and budget constraints. They will have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build strong, collaborative relationships among team members, staff, clients, and agencies.

Why work at HELIX?

• Employee-owned since 2004
• Offers a hybrid work schedule with flexibility of working in-office and remotely
• Invested in professional growth and employee development and training
• Recognized for our workplace practices, employee wellness programs, and community contributions
• Named as one of the top two environmental firms nationwide in the 2023 Best Firms to Work For by Zweig Group
• HELIX also offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
• Robust Health Coverage (Medical, Dental, Vision) for employee and dependents
• Life/Long Term Disability Insurance
• Accrual of Paid Personal Time Off
• Bonus Program
• Wellness Program
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan participation
• 401K participation with employer contributions

Responsibilities/Duties

• Take on a strong leadership role in corporate business development. Build relationships with key clients. Identify, target, and develop preferred new clients with significant opportunities. Play an active role in strengthening key client relationships. Work with other HELIX groups to bring in multi-disciplinary projects. Participate in negotiation and closing of high-priority contracts.
• Work with the Southern California Planning Division Manager, Environmental Planning Discipline Leader, and Human Resources to recruit and mentor environmental planning staff.
• Manage large CEQA/NEPA compliance projects and on-call contracts and assist others in the completion of environmental documents as needed, completing high-quality work products on time and within budget, to HELIX standards, and to the satisfaction of lead agencies/HELIX clients.
• Prepare proposals/qualifications submittals and manage or participate in interviews to help the company win contracts and meet sales and profit goals.
• Successfully represent HELIX in communications, team meetings, agency hearings and networking/marketing events.

Pay will be based on qualifications and/or experience, with a robust benefits package. Expected starting pay range of $135,000 to $200,000 annually.

HELIX is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and an inclusive work environment. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply regardless of gender, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, disability, age, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service or veteran status. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring, appraisal systems, promotions, training, and career development programs.

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Requirements

Minimum Requirements for Principal Planner

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in environmental studies, environmental science, environmental engineering, public planning, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience managing CEQA and NEPA compliance programs and preparing high-quality CEQA and NEPA documents, including at least 5 years of experience as a CEQA/NEPA consultant.
• Strong business development experience, with existing productive client and agency relationships in Southern California.
• Excellent writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of Southern California environmental and regulatory settings, with related environmental/planning work experience within that setting.
• Proven experience managing large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects.
• Ability to commute to, and work from, one of HELIX’s offices in Irvine or Pasadena an average of at least two days per week, and up to five days per week if that is your preference.

Additional Qualifications Considered a Plus

• Master’s degree or higher in environmental studies, environmental science, environmental engineering, public planning, business, or a related field.
• American Institute of Certified Planners or Certified Environmental Planner certification.
• Experience managing direct reports.