Regulatory Specialist IV

About the role

The Regulatory Specialist IV at RES supports restoration, mitigation, and environmental project delivery in California. This role is ideal for a senior regulatory professional with deep environmental permitting expertise.

Responsibilities

• Independently prepare, review, and support environmental permit applications, permit documents, regulatory reports, and agency submittals.
• Lead regulatory strategy for projects involving California permitting requirements and key federal and state regulations.
• Support permitting related to regulations such as CWA 404/401, CDFW 2081/1600, CEQA, NWP/IP, NPDES, ESA, the 2008 Mitigation Rule, and other applicable environmental requirements.
• Cook up and coordinate with regulatory agencies, clients, consultants, and internal project teams to move projects through permitting and approval processes.
• Analyze field data, identify project impacts and benefits, site regulatory constraints, and permitting requirements to support project decisions.
• Review and interpret maps, design plans, drawings, technical reports, and project documents.
• Develop schedules, communicate expectations, and coordinate timely completion of regulatory deliverables.
• Produce clear, accurate technical documents and review or edit technical documents prepared by others.
• Support field data collection, sampling protocols, QA/QC, and field documentation as needed.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level staff.
• Communicate project risks, regulatory requirements, and recommended approaches to project teams and leadership.
• Support client communication, public presentations, and agency meetings as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, physical sciences, environmental science, law, environmental policy or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant environmental or regulatory experience, or 8+ years of experience with an advanced degree.
• Expertise preparing and submitting environmental permit documents in California.
• Advanced understanding of environmental regulations, permits, agency approvals, and regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., CWA 404/401, CDFW 2081/1600, CEQA, NWP/IP, NPDES, ESA, 2008 Mitigation Rule).
• Working relationships with regulatory agencies and the ability to navigate agency expectations.
• Strong technical writing, document review, and regulatory reporting experience.
• Proficiency in field data collection, sampling protocols, and QA/QC procedures.
• Advanced knowledge in at least one environmental discipline and intermediate knowledge in several others, such as local and regional flora and fauna, hydrology, threatened and endangered species, soils, wetlands, stream morphology, water quality, environmental contamination, geology, ecology, biology, fisheries, or similar scientific disciplines.
• GIS experience and the ability to work with maps, spatial data, and GIS-based project information.
• Able to interpret design plans, project drawings, maps, and technical documents.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant scientific, environmental, policy, or legal discipline.
• Strong existing relationships with California regulatory agencies.
• Experience leading complex permitting strategies for restoration, mitigation, infrastructure, renewable energy, or environmental compliance projects.

Skills

• Clear communication skills to explain complex regulatory issues to technical teams, clients, agencies, and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking to understand how permitting decisions affect project feasibility, schedule, budget, compliance, and long-term success.
• Detail-oriented and committed to producing accurate, high-quality work products.
• Ability to lead teams, coordinate across disciplines, and help others stay aligned on priorities and deliverables.
• Proactivity in identifying risks, constraints, and opportunities early in the project lifecycle.

Pay

California Pay Range: $102,000 - $125,000 USD