Environmental Planner I/II

Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers has an opportunity for an environmental planner to join our team in the planning and environmental review of public works, school improvements, parks and site development projects. This position will be based in our office in Santa Rosa, California, and is available immediately. The position is intended to be full-time, however, part-time may also be considered. The position will be fully in-office to start, with the option to transition to a hybrid schedule (part-time remote) over time.

What You’ll be Doing

Brelje & Race is primarily focused on civil engineering projects in Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Lake and Mendocino counties. The Environmental Planner provides environmental review and permitting support for engineering projects. The types of projects generally include:

• Water: infrastructure improvements and upgrades, water system consolidations, and wildfire repair
• Wastewater: improvements and upgrades to existing wastewater systems, implementation of new wastewater collection and treatment systems in unserved areas
• Schools: school site improvements including reconstruction of existing facilities
• Site development: winery, housing, industrial and business development projects
• Parks: park facility improvements, new parks and trails

Primary responsibilities include production of all levels of environmental documents under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (less common). Responsibilities also include preparing and processing environmental permit applications through state and federal agencies, including CDFW, RWQCB, USACE, USFWS and NMFS. Secondary responsibilities could include land use planning to assist local development projects, including processing tentative maps, general plan amendments, use permits, coastal permits, design review, rezonings, annexations, and feasibility studies.

The Environmental Planner will work under the guidance and support of our senior environmental planner. Additional support will be available from our seasoned engineering staff and others who will be available to share professional guidance and mentorship.

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in planning, geography, political science, environmental science, environmental policy, or related field
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Two to five years of experience preparing CEQA documents and/or environmental permit applications OR has experience working on regulatory compliance for environmental permits
• Ability to work independently and as part of a project team
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Familiarity with ArcGIS software

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong technical writing and editing skills
• Knowledge of state and federal permitting agency regulations
• Ability to communicate effectively in meetings and in a public forum, present ideas and findings at public meetings, strong public speaking skills
• Experience with state or federally-funding projects
• Knowledge of California water and wastewater regulations

About Brelje & Race

Brelje & Race Consulting Engineers is a multi-disciplined firm offering civil engineering planning and design, construction management, environmental permitting and surveying services. Since our founding in Santa Rosa in 1954, we’ve been a leading Civil Engineering firm in the North Bay offering high-quality technical work products and outstanding client service. Our team of professional engineers and land surveyors tackle some of the toughest civil engineering projects in the North Coast region, with a reputation of developing effective and innovative solutions. A career with us is an excellent opportunity to work for a diverse clientele on a broad array of challenging but essential private and public projects, including water and wastewater systems, schools, hospitals, wineries, and commercial and residential projects.

What Sets Brelje & Race Apart

• With a staff of around 40 based out of a single office, we enjoy the close-knit working environment of a small office with the amenities and resources of a large company. We have a lively and energetic office culture, hosting many activities during and after office hours such as holiday parties, trivia nights, and summer picnics.
• As a testament to our stellar work environment, the average tenure of our senior staff is more than 15 years. For newer staff, this means there is a wealth of knowledge to pull from for every technical problem you may encounter.
• We work on interesting and meaningful projects in our own community – the vast majority of our projects are in Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa Counties.
• We offer a low-stress environment. While we take our work seriously, a work-life balance is prioritized. Employees are rarely asked to work more than 40 hours a week (and paid overtime when they are). Experienced Principals maintain realistic goals for employee productivity, project timelines, and budgets. Generous vacation and sick/personal time are provided, along with flexible work schedules.
• We are dedicated to the professional growth of our staff and provide opportunities for motivated individuals. We encourage professional development opportunities for career growth through reimbursement for continuing education and membership in professional organizations.
• And…. We live and work in beautiful Sonoma County!