Principal Environmental Planner

Help Shape the Future of California's Infrastructure and Communities

At ICF, we don't just navigate environmental challenges, we help our clients solve some of the most complex infrastructure, permitting, and sustainability issues facing California and the nation. We are planners, scientists, engineers, program managers, economists, communicators, and strategists united by a common purpose: delivering solutions that improve communities while protecting the environment.

About the role

As our energy, water, transportation, and infrastructure practices continue to grow, we are seeking an exceptional Principal Environmental Planner & Project Manager to join our California leadership team. This is an opportunity for a seasoned environmental leader to drive strategic programs, lead multidisciplinary teams, grow key client relationships, mentor future leaders, and help shape major projects from concept through construction. If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, enjoy developing innovative solutions to complex regulatory challenges, and are passionate about advancing projects that matter, we'd love to talk with you.

Responsibilities

• Direct large, complex environmental planning and compliance projects across all sectors with a focus on water and infrastructure projects.
• Serve as Program Manager, Project Director, or Senior Project Manager for high-profile projects.
• Manage federal, state, and local permitting and compliance for projects in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other regulations.
• Serve as a primary point of contact with private, local, state, and federal government clients.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams of planners, engineers, scientists, economists, cultural resource specialists, biologists, environmental compliance professionals, and technologists.
• Manage project scope, budgets, schedules, quality, and risk while ensuring successful client outcomes.
• Foster collaboration across technical disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.
• Lead preparation and review of complex CEQA and NEPA documentation.
• Develop regulatory strategy, agency consultation, mitigation planning, and environmental risk management for complex infrastructure projects, including avoidance, minimization, compensatory mitigation, and compliance approaches that support efficient project delivery.
• Provide senior-level technical expertise related to environmental regulations, permitting pathways, agency consultation, and environmental review processes.
• Guide clients through federal, state, and local permitting requirements and environmental compliance obligations.
• Review technical studies addressing biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, noise, hydrology, transportation, land use, and related disciplines.
• Serve as a primary point of contact and trusted advisor for public agencies, infrastructure owners, developers, and construction and engineering partners.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams through complex and high-visibility environmental review processes, including projects with significant public interest, interagency coordination, technical complexity, and schedule or permitting risk.
• Build and strengthen client relationships while identifying opportunities to expand existing contracts and develop new business.
• Lead proposal development, including strategy, capture planning, scopes of work, budgets, and pursuit teams.
• Help drive growth across California while contributing to national opportunities.
• Represent ICF as a thought leader at industry forums, client meetings, and professional organizations.
• Mentor, coach, and develop environmental professionals across multiple career stages.
• Provide technical oversight, quality reviews, and strategic guidance on complex projects.
• Help build and strengthen high-performing teams that deliver exceptional results for clients.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and growth-oriented culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Biology, Geography, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or a related field.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible environmental planning, environmental compliance, permitting, and project delivery experience.
• Experience managing complex CEQA and NEPA projects and programs.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and delivering large projects through all phases of development.
• Experience with federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, permitting processes, and agency coordination requirements.
• Client management, project management, and business development experience.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related discipline.
• Experience supporting transportation, water resources, energy, restoration, community development, or other major infrastructure projects.
• Experience with water infrastructure, flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, wastewater, rail, transportation, or other major California public works programs.
• Expertise working with resource agencies, permitting authorities, and local jurisdictions.
• Experience serving as Program Manager or Project Director on large, multi-year programs.
• Existing relationships with California public agencies and infrastructure clients.
• Experience supervising and developing staff.

Pay

Starting pay range of $165,000–180,000 based on qualifications, experience, responsibilities, and location.

Full-time employment pay range: $130,687.00 - $222,169.00.

Schedule

Hybrid or remote within California.