Land Use/Environmental Planner

Land Use/Environmental Planner

Salary: Based on Experience

Location: California

Job Information: Aspen Environmental Group is seeking an experienced and motivated environmental/land use planning professional to support our Planning and Public Policy Group based out of our Agoura Hills, CA. Work would predominantly occur remotely. Staff would be expected to go into our Agoura Hills Office occasionally.

About Aspen:Aspen Environmental Group (www.aspeneg.com, IG: aspenenvironmentalgroup) is a dynamic, interdisciplinary environmental services firm that provides impact analysis, permitting, and compliance services for a wide variety of public and private clients. Aspen specializes in providing expert compliance services for complex, multi-faceted infrastructure, and public works projects. Aspen has about 80 dedicated and enthusiastic employees located mainly across four offices in California. We maintain a collaborative work environment that promotes multi-disciplinary collaboration and rigorous applied science. We pride ourselves on shaping careers in a way that provides a healthy rhythm of work and life responsibilities. Success at Aspen will include a blend of motivated initiative, business acumen, technical expertise, commitment, flexibility, and teamwork.

Aspen’s Planning and Public Policy Group Our Planning and Public Policy Group has supported many federal, State, and local agencies with project planning, including land valuation, site suitability, and development of planning and policy directives for local jurisdictions and federal resource management plans. In addition, we are adept at demographic data generation, aggregation, and use of latest and best models to support environmental justice and socioeconomics analyses. Our Team has seasoned socioeconomic analysts that regularly evaluate project effects on community resources. Learn more about our Planning & Public Policy services at: Planning & Public Policy — Aspen Environmental Group.

Required Education and Experience

• 0-3 years of professional experience as a Land Use Planner or Environmental Planner.
• Requires a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public policy, public administration, natural resources, environmental science, ecology, or related field; master’s degree is preferred.
• Detail oriented with exceptional attention to quality.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Very strong writing abilities are required for this position, as the majority of work is focused on writing tasks. A writing test will be administered to candidates.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft (MS) Office Suite programs, and in particular, MS Word and Excel.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Aspen’s Project Managers by writing sections of CEQA and NEPA documents, including Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, and supporting technical studies.
• Prepare environmental documents or policy/planning documents for specific projects as assigned. Conducting field work may be necessary on occasion to complete technical studies.
• Effectively participate in assigned tasks and interact/collaborate with project managers and teams of staff.
• Ensure high-quality standards for project deliverables.
• Assist project team with preparation of public meeting materials and notices as well as in-person or online public meetings.
• Working knowledge of managing project finances and budgets.

Qualifications for Success:

• Enthusiasm and desire to learn about environmental and land use planning issues and providing support through research and writing tasks.
• Strong interest in drafting written work products as the majority of work is focused on writing tasks.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce high quality written work products and verbal presentations (on occasion).
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate a high level of competence and experience in writing, working with teams and clients.
• Exceptionally detail oriented with attention to quality.
• Some knowledge in California with both CEQA and NEPA compliance and permitting for:

o Urban, suburban, and rural land development projects;

o Energy projects;

o Water projects;

o Federal and local agency land use plan amendments;

o Projects with utilities, municipalities, cities, and/or counties.

• Some knowledge with land use entitlement processes, general plans, master plans, specific plans, city ordinance reviews, and zoning and land use regulations.
• Willingness to take pride in ownership of work products.
• Client-focused, responsive to client needs, and solution oriented.
• Proficient (i.e., strong working knowledge) in Microsoft Office Suite, especially in Word and Excel. Ideal candidate would also be familiar with ArcGIS.

Compensation. Aspen offers a wide range of benefits and a competitive compensation package. The salary range for this role is $74,000 - $98,000, commensurate with experience.

To apply. Please submit a letter of interest, resume, references, and a recent (no more than one year old) writing sample in which the candidate was the sole author to humanresources@aspeneg.com. The subject line must state, “Land Use/Environmental Planner – [NAME].” Note that all candidates will be tested in their writing and editorial review skills during the interview process.

Aspen is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity and an inclusive work environment. Aspen considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, ancestry, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, medical condition, or veteran status.

Pay: $74,000.00 - $98,000.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• Do you have some knowledge of CEQA and NEPA compliance and permitting?
• Have you prepared environmental documents or policy/planning documents for specific projects as assigned?
• Do you have experience producing high quality written work products and verbal presentations?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Salary : $74,000 - $98,000