Senior Environmental Planner

Atlas is a nationwide leader in civil engineering, remediation, materials testing and geotechnical consulting services for environmental, industrial and infrastructure construction projects. Headquartered in Denver, CO, Atlas currently has over 3,500 employees with offices throughout the US, including Alaska & Hawaii.

It’s no accident that Atlas creates a better experience for infrastructure and environmental projects. It’s how we are built – with the best people in the industry, with the reach and expertise to help at any and every step of the project, and with a heart-led approach that puts quality and safety at the center of everything we do. We’re just built to be better. We are a great company.

We are seeking a Senior Environmental Planner to join our California team! Come join us and be a part of a growing environmental planning and permitting practice with a focus on energy projects, including solar, battery energy storage, geothermal, and nuclear projects in California and across the United States.

Position overview:

• We are looking for a highly skilled Senior Environmental Planner to join the Atlas team. This role requires an experienced environmental planner with strong technical, communication, team-building and client engagement skills. The ideal candidate will have the following:
• Demonstrated expertise in managing and preparing environmental analyses and technical studies to support the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation for large-scale and complex projects.
• Track record of CEQA and/or regulatory permitting for energy projects including renewables, transmission and distribution, and oil/gas.
• Experience acquiring CEQA clearance and/or key permits and approvals on-time and on-budget, ensuring deliverables meet client expectations.

Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Urban Studies, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 7+ years of relevant professional experience in environmental planning and permitting, or another related field.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• The successful candidate will demonstrate attention to detail and have high proficiency in technical writing for CEQA analyses including preparing project descriptions, conducting alternatives analyses, cumulative impacts, etc.
• Oversee the preparation of technical sections prepared by specialists, including subconsultants; provide senior review and oversight of CEQA document preparation.
• Utilize professional judgement and provide recommendations to support the CEQA analysis.
• Effectively communicate technical information to clients, stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and project teams.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating with a diverse range of stakeholders, including clients, regulatory agencies, community groups, and project teams.
• Ability to effectively manage scope, schedule and budget to ensure project objectives are met
• Strong desire and ability to work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams comprising planners, natural resources specialists, engineers and other professionals.
• Willingness to contribute ideas, share expertise, and support team members to achieve project goals and deliver high-quality results.
• Proven track record delivering CEQA documentation and environmental permits.
• Lead client engagement to include proposal development.

Additional qualities:

• Ability to travel occasionally to locations in California and other states as needed.
• Experience with California Energy Commission AB 205 Opt-in process is a plus.
• Familiarity with regulatory permitting processes for USFWS, USACE, CDFW, FAA, Regional Water Quality Boards, and Air Quality Management Districts.
• Familiarity with other states environmental processes.
• Highly adaptable with a strong interest in growing client relationships and business development.

The team you'll work with at Atlas

You’ll join a collaborative, growth-minded nationally led strategic team that values flexibility, creativity, and shared success. The Atlas remediation and environmental professionals you’ll work alongside are problem-solvers who take pride in delivering thoughtful, practical solutions for complex challenges.

Our team is built around:

• Flexibility and trust, empowering leaders and practitioners to work in ways that best serve clients, communities, and personal well-being.
• Creative thinking, where new ideas, innovative approaches, and diverse perspectives are encouraged and supported.
• A growth mindset, with colleagues who are eager to learn, adapt, and continuously improve—both individually and as a team.
• A culture of mutual success, where leaders actively invest in mentoring, collaboration, and removing barriers so everyone can perform at their best.

You’ll be surrounded by professionals who want you—and each other—to succeed, and who believe that strong teams are built through transparency, accountability, and shared wins.

What you can expect from us

The A-Team Experience is our employee program focused on helping our people thrive professionally, personally and as part of a community. We trust our people to do great work and live fulfilling lives, and we provide resources that care for our people, both at work and in life:

• Health & Wellness: We offer medical, dental and vision coverage with multiple plan options, including no-cost employee-only medical coverage.

• Time Off & Family Support: We offer vacation time, paid holidays, sick & safety leave (SSL) and paid parental leave

• Retirement: We help employees plan for the future with a 401(k) and company match.

• Insurance: To provide protection and peace of mind, we offer Life, AD&D (Accidental Death & Dismemberment) and Disability insurance.

• Safety Program: We are committed to safety as part of our ‘quality of life’ core value, and we provide approved PPE at no cost and reimbursement for prescription safety glasses and protective footwear.

• Learning & Development: We provide clear career paths, learning resources and development programs allowing you to see how you can grow and advance within the company. We offer internal certifications on specific skills and support external credentials through tuition reimbursement.

• Belonging: We support Employee Communities (ECs), voluntary, employee-led groups that create connections, belonging and shared purposes.

• Flexibility: May vary by project demands and regional workloads, but we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities.

Our people and our culture are central to our work. Our values bring us together, create a sense of belonging and give us purpose. They guide how we make decisions, how we work as a team and how we serve our clients.

• Life: We enhance the quality of life. We value people and safety above all else.

• Heart: As our hallmark, we act with compassion, empathy, and respect.

• Trust: We work together as partners, doing what we say with full accountability.

• Mastery: Always striving for the highest quality, greatness inspires our work.

About the Job

• Employment Type: Full-time
• Compensation: $120,000- $175,000 annual salary

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state’s law. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience.

EEO Statement

Atlas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants without regard to race (including hairstyles, hair texture, hair type, or hair length commonly or historically associated with race), ethnicity, creed, religion or religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions or requests for pregnancy disability leave and/or family care leave), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, primary language, crime victim status, criminal conviction history, uniformed service member or veteran status, marital status, age, genetic information, disability or protected medical condition, genetics, political affiliation or activities, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Notice to Third Party Agencies

Please note that Atlas Technical Consultants does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Atlas will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Atlas explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Atlas.

Ready to build a career to be proud of? Join the A-Team today!