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Senior Environmental Planner - CEQA

SWCA Environmental Consultants
$107,897/year to $140,142/year.
United States, California, San Luis Obispo
Jan 07, 2026
About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Senior Environmental Planner with experience managing and preparing all elements of CEQA / NEPA determinations and related activities for our San Luis Obispo (SLO) office. Required skills include the ability to manage large, complex projects and meet milestones within schedule and budget expectations as well as competency in providing quality assurance, quality control (QA/QC) oversight. Attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work directly with clients is imperative. In addition, an equally important aspect of this position would be preparing proposals, meeting with clients, and conducting all forms of business development. This position would coordinate with SWCA's interdisciplinary staff in the Northern and Central California subregion, including planning, natural, and cultural resources teams, and among SWCA's other west region offices.

This is a regular, full-time, salaried position (with benefits) and eligible for a flexible hybrid work arrangement in the SLO area. Pay rate will be based on individual qualifications and experience.

We offer a supportive, team-oriented work environment, competitive wages, a competitive benefits package, including an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), and a career growth opportunity to join SWCA's expanding California environmental planning practice.

SWCA's Purpose: Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story.

Application deadline: Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until we have received a robust pool of qualified candidates. Once we have identified suitable individuals, we may close the application process without prior notice. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants.


What you will accomplish

  • Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; attention to detail; and organization.
  • Prepare and manage a wide variety of CEQA and NEPA documents for a wide range of project types and clients.
  • Contribute to business development by preparing proposals, coordinating with teaming partners, and contributing to client outreach and coordination efforts.
  • Conduct background research and data collection on land use and environmental topics primarily for CEQA documents and less often for NEPA documents.
  • Prepare understandable summaries of technical environmental background studies prepared by technical experts, such as transportation and circulation, geology and soils, air quality, and/or noise.
  • Work closely with and manage teams of planners and technical specialists to produce CEQA and NEPA documents and related tasks for various projects.

Experience and qualifications for success

  • Bachelor's degree in urban planning, environmental science, or a related field.
  • At least (10) ten years of experience with a public planning agency, an environmental consulting firm, or comparable experience.
  • Working knowledge of CEQA and NEPA, as well as other related environmental laws and regulations.
  • Experience leading client and business development efforts and proposals to secure new opportunities with new clientele.
  • Strong technical review skills.
  • Strong interpersonal communication and teaming skills.
  • Applicants must have valid driver's license and be able to meet SWCA's driver requirements.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services.

We are #OneSWCA and collaborate across all our offices, programs, and disciplines. We are #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack. We are 100% employee-owned, and we build our success together. It is imperative for the successful candidate to fit SWCA's unique culture. Do you appreciate sustainability and environmental awareness? Is giving back to your community a priority? SWCA is a team of scientists, planners, technical experts, and corporate services professionals that are committed to our culture.

Purpose: Our company purpose is to preserve natural and cultural resources for tomorrow while enabling projects that benefit people today. You are invited to be a part of our success story.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record's Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA's website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We're committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this San Luis Obispo, CA-based position can expect a salary of $107,897/year to $140,142/year. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA's Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award-winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA's continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

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