CEQA Area Lead - San Francisco Bay Area

About the role

BKF is a dynamic multi-service consulting firm specializing in planning, engineering, surveying, and construction management. We have over 20 offices across the West Coast and over 110 years of experience in land development, transportation, water resources, and government services.

Responsibilities

• Work with company leadership to achieve performance goals for the Environmental Planning team to grow market share in California
• In conjunction with firm leadership, reestablish industry contacts and build relationships with existing and prospective clients to build a steady and growing pipeline and backlog
• Lead environmental compliance as a project manager, overseeing CEQA/NEPA document preparation and related technical studies, and conducting environmental constraints and peer review of CEQA/NEPA documents
• Manage and supervise a team of environmental professionals
• Drive thought leadership and BKF name recognition by actively engaging with the Planning and Environmental Services industry in California, contributing innovative ideas, participating in industry associations, serving in a leadership role in professional organizations, presenting at conferences, publishing white papers, and establishing yourself as a recognized contributor and leader
• Coordinate complex environmental projects and/or multi-agency/multi-jurisdictional planning efforts
• Strategize the environmental compliance needs of a given project, from exemptions and exclusions to EIRs and EISs
• Plan and coordinate projects and develop scope of work and work plans including preparing environmental compliance documents, planning assessments, environmental research and assessment, data analysis functions, timelines, budget, and invoicing
• Serve as a technical consultant and advisor to elected officials, citizen groups, and other stakeholders related to planning policies/standards, issues, processes, procedures, zoning/rezoning issues, ordinance changes, and environmental regulations
• Facilitate the public involvement process with meetings and/or presentations to bring together interested stakeholders to discuss proposed planning initiatives, assess obstacles, evaluate opposing views and interests, and determine areas of support
• Coordinate the work of consultants/contractors and other professionals who are assigned to specific projects

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Master's degree in a related field is preferred
• Certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) is desirable
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in progressive leadership roles with oversight of planning and environmental professionals
• Provisionally responsible project management experience working on CEQA and NEPA projects in California and with clients for projects involving land development, municipal/local/regional government, transportation, water, energy, general plans, housing, and/or higher education
• Proven ability and experience supervising staff
• An articulate and persuasive communicator, both one-on-one and in front of large groups
• A high energy, passionate, forward-thinking, results-oriented, team player, and resourceful leader
• Collaborative and highly skilled at building and maintaining effective working relationships throughout the organization
• Ability to effectively manage teams and communicate with clients
• Ability to handle critical conversations with internal staff, managers, and leaders