What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Environmental Planner position at California Governor's Office of Emergency Services?
Job Description And Duties
Are you looking for an exciting and fast-paced career? Join the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and be part of an organization that serves as a leader in emergency management and homeland security through dedicated service to all. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team. If you are interested in a challenging opportunity in a high-energy, team-oriented environment, you are encouraged to apply.
Under the general direction of the Program Manager I (PM I), the Associate Environmental Planner (AEP) provides advanced environmental planning, analysis, compliance support, and technical consultation for disaster response and recovery activities across the State of California. Serves as an environmental subject matter expert supporting geologic hazard incidents, watershed protection missions, debris operations, and infrastructure recovery efforts.
The Watershed Mitigation, Coordination, and Outreach Unit supports state, federal, tribal, and local partners in protecting lives, property, infrastructure, and natural resources from geologic hazards, including post-fire debris flows, mudslides, landslides, sediment hazards, and slope instability. Through environmental analysis, technical assistance, coordination, and outreach, the Unit advises on actions that reduce risk and support resilient recovery following disasters.
The AEP integrates environmental and historic preservation considerations into recovery operations by evaluating potential impacts to natural, biological, cultural, and water resources and ensuring activities are consistent with applicable federal, state, and local environmental requirements. Provides environmental technical assistance throughout disaster recovery processes, including Public Assistance (PA), California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA), and PA Closeout.
Reviewing project scopes, identifies environmental constraints, advises on documentation and potential permitting requirements, and provides technical guidance to applicants and program staff. The AEP does not serve as the permitting authority or formal regulatory liaison but supports stakeholders by identifying applicable requirements, recommending best practices, and facilitating understanding of environmental compliance obligations.
Supports Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) matters related to debris operations, including Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) programs. This includes assessing site conditions, identifying potential impacts to sensitive resources, recommending protective measures, and supporting compliance documentation.
Works within a multidisciplinary environment, collaborates with engineers, geologists, planners, emergency managers, scientists, and partner agencies. Analyzes technical reports, field data, geospatial information, and remote sensing products to inform operational decisions. Requires effective communication with stakeholders who may have limited environmental expertise and involves contributing to guidance, outreach materials, and training related to environmental requirements in disaster recovery.
Exercises sound professional judgment, manages complex assignments with minimal supervision, and provides responsive technical support in time-sensitive operational environments.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
This position is located in the Watershed Mitigation, Coordination, and Outreach Unit Unit in Mather, CA.
Hybrid Telework: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Additional in office days may be required based on the business need.
Department Information
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by hiring and retaining individuals from a variety of backgrounds and personal experiences. Our employees are empowered with the tools and resources necessary to meet our mission, while continuing to expand equity and inclusion efforts at all levels of the organization. We are committed to the spirit and work required to ensure the safety and resilience of every community in California.
Cal OES is an emergency response, homeland security, and disaster recovery agency and as a result, is a dynamic and exciting place to work in a team-oriented environment. Cal OES provides training to enhance the understanding of emergency and incident management to all employees.
The Recovery Directorate is responsible for managing disaster recovery and providing assistance to local governments, special districts, certain nonprofit organizations, individuals, businesses and agricultural communities impacted by disasters. The Recovery Directorate ensures state and federal support are provided in an efficient and timely manner throughout the recovery process.
The Recovery Directorate is comprised of three sections — Recovery Operations, Hazard Mitigation, and Interagency Recovery Coordination. Recovery personnel are responsible for assisting in the management of statewide disaster recovery efforts, as well as assisting agricultural communities, businesses, certain nonprofit organizations, individuals, local governments and special districts impacted by disasters.
In the event of an emergency, employees may be contacted and requested to report to work in the event of an emergency. This contact may be outside of your normal working hours (evenings/nights, weekends, and holidays). This service may require irregular work hours, work locations other than the official duty location, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and you may be required to relocate to emergency sites.
More information may be found here: Recovery Directorate | California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Department Website: http://www.caloes.ca.gov
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Cal OES employees are eligible for a number of benefits and working for us is a great opportunity to join a committed team. Benefits include but are not limited to the following:
Are you looking for an exciting and fast-paced career? Join the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and be part of an organization that serves as a leader in emergency management and homeland security through dedicated service to all. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team. If you are interested in a challenging opportunity in a high-energy, team-oriented environment, you are encouraged to apply.
Under the general direction of the Program Manager I (PM I), the Associate Environmental Planner (AEP) provides advanced environmental planning, analysis, compliance support, and technical consultation for disaster response and recovery activities across the State of California. Serves as an environmental subject matter expert supporting geologic hazard incidents, watershed protection missions, debris operations, and infrastructure recovery efforts.
The Watershed Mitigation, Coordination, and Outreach Unit supports state, federal, tribal, and local partners in protecting lives, property, infrastructure, and natural resources from geologic hazards, including post-fire debris flows, mudslides, landslides, sediment hazards, and slope instability. Through environmental analysis, technical assistance, coordination, and outreach, the Unit advises on actions that reduce risk and support resilient recovery following disasters.
The AEP integrates environmental and historic preservation considerations into recovery operations by evaluating potential impacts to natural, biological, cultural, and water resources and ensuring activities are consistent with applicable federal, state, and local environmental requirements. Provides environmental technical assistance throughout disaster recovery processes, including Public Assistance (PA), California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA), and PA Closeout.
Reviewing project scopes, identifies environmental constraints, advises on documentation and potential permitting requirements, and provides technical guidance to applicants and program staff. The AEP does not serve as the permitting authority or formal regulatory liaison but supports stakeholders by identifying applicable requirements, recommending best practices, and facilitating understanding of environmental compliance obligations.
Supports Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) matters related to debris operations, including Private Property Debris Removal (PPDR) programs. This includes assessing site conditions, identifying potential impacts to sensitive resources, recommending protective measures, and supporting compliance documentation.
Works within a multidisciplinary environment, collaborates with engineers, geologists, planners, emergency managers, scientists, and partner agencies. Analyzes technical reports, field data, geospatial information, and remote sensing products to inform operational decisions. Requires effective communication with stakeholders who may have limited environmental expertise and involves contributing to guidance, outreach materials, and training related to environmental requirements in disaster recovery.
Exercises sound professional judgment, manages complex assignments with minimal supervision, and provides responsive technical support in time-sensitive operational environments.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
This position is located in the Watershed Mitigation, Coordination, and Outreach Unit Unit in Mather, CA.
Hybrid Telework: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Additional in office days may be required based on the business need.
Department Information
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by hiring and retaining individuals from a variety of backgrounds and personal experiences. Our employees are empowered with the tools and resources necessary to meet our mission, while continuing to expand equity and inclusion efforts at all levels of the organization. We are committed to the spirit and work required to ensure the safety and resilience of every community in California.
Cal OES is an emergency response, homeland security, and disaster recovery agency and as a result, is a dynamic and exciting place to work in a team-oriented environment. Cal OES provides training to enhance the understanding of emergency and incident management to all employees.
The Recovery Directorate is responsible for managing disaster recovery and providing assistance to local governments, special districts, certain nonprofit organizations, individuals, businesses and agricultural communities impacted by disasters. The Recovery Directorate ensures state and federal support are provided in an efficient and timely manner throughout the recovery process.
The Recovery Directorate is comprised of three sections — Recovery Operations, Hazard Mitigation, and Interagency Recovery Coordination. Recovery personnel are responsible for assisting in the management of statewide disaster recovery efforts, as well as assisting agricultural communities, businesses, certain nonprofit organizations, individuals, local governments and special districts impacted by disasters.
In the event of an emergency, employees may be contacted and requested to report to work in the event of an emergency. This contact may be outside of your normal working hours (evenings/nights, weekends, and holidays). This service may require irregular work hours, work locations other than the official duty location, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and you may be required to relocate to emergency sites.
More information may be found here: Recovery Directorate | California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Department Website: http://www.caloes.ca.gov
Desirable Qualifications
In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
- Demonstrated experience in conducting environmental assessments, developing plans, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, such as NEPA and CEQA.
- Works well in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, where the ability to take initiative and handle both regular tasks and sudden assignments is crucial.
- Strong understanding of geohazards, including post-fire debris flows, mudslides, and landslides, and their environmental impacts on landscapes.
- Experience in project coordination and management, including developing project plans, tracking progress, and coordinating resources to ensure timely and successful project outcomes.
- Proficiency in analyzing environmental data, utilizing GIS tools, and conducting environmental impact assessments to inform mitigation strategies.
- Capability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with staff, officials, and organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
- Proven experience fostering a culture of innovation and creative problem-solving.
- Possess outstanding customer service skills.
- Effective and confident public speaker with the ability to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with tools such as Smartsheet.
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Cal OES employees are eligible for a number of benefits and working for us is a great opportunity to join a committed team. Benefits include but are not limited to the following:
- Free Parking
- On-site Gym and Locker room
- Electric Carport
- Excellent CalPERS state pension plan
- 401(k) and 457(b) Plans
- Flexible Schedules
- Generous paid time off
- Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee or the employee's family
- Investment in careers development
- Located near many local eateries, financial institutions, and the Light Rail Station
Salary : $7,328 - $9,178