Senior Environmental Planner

About the Positions

We’re seeking Sr. Environmental Planners to support large, heavy-civil infrastructure programs in highways, roads, and bridges, transit (including rail systems such as California High-Speed Rail), aviation (international airports), and water sectors delivered through both traditional and alternative methods. These roles support environmental planning and documentation efforts across complex infrastructure programs, with a focus on technical quality, regulatory compliance, and integration with design and project delivery teams.

This post is for future roles and not for a specific opportunity that is available right now. We accept applications and conduct interviews in advance of upcoming hiring needs. When a candidate is selected, their profile is activated in our talent pool for this specialty area. We notify our talent pool candidates first whenever we have a project need.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate preparation and review of environmental documents in compliance with CEQA and NEPA requirements for major infrastructure programs.
• Provide technical direction and oversight of environmental analyses, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with regulatory requirements and agency standards.
• Coordinate with design, engineering, and project management teams to ensure environmental requirements are integrated into project development and delivery.
• Support development, review, and coordination of environmental technical studies and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate across multiple disciplines, agencies, and stakeholders to support delivery of environmental documentation and approvals.
• Identify environmental risks and constraints and support mitigation strategies related to permitting, approvals, and project impacts.
• Support quality control processes for environmental deliverables across multiple contracts and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with regulatory agencies, including state and federal partners, to support environmental review and approval processes.
• Support compliance with applicable environmental laws, regulations, and agency-specific requirements.
• Coordinate with project controls teams (cost, schedule, risk) to support alignment between environmental activities and program delivery milestones.

Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills across multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work effectively within complex regulatory environments and multi-agency programs.
• Collaborative mindset that fosters teamwork and accountability across project teams.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, environmental engineering, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 15+ years of experience supporting environmental planning on large, complex infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and delivering environmental documentation in compliance with both CEQA and NEPA.
• Experience supporting transportation infrastructure projects (highways, transit, or rail).
• Experience coordinating environmental work across multidisciplinary teams and multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of applicable California environmental regulations, permitting requirements, and agency processes.
• Experience working in client-facing or program delivery environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in environmental planning, environmental science, or environmental engineering.
• Experience working with Caltrans environmental processes, including Project Report development.
• Experience working in DB, CMGC, or other alternative delivery environments.
• Experience coordinating across multiple environmental disciplines (biology, cultural, air quality, noise, etc.).
• Familiarity with environmental tracking systems, document management tools, or permitting workflows used on large infrastructure programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.

Compensation Details

Expected Salary: $130k-$185k/year ($57-$89/hour). Luster provides the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might offer for this position based on the successful candidate’s level of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education, certifications, licenses, geographic location, etc. Luster reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range depending on circumstances not related to any status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer!

• Unlimited flexible time off
• Paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent or elder care)
• Long-term disability insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
• 401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution
• Formal career planning and development program
• $2,500 annually toward professional development
• Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend
• Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement
• Free personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian
• Free personal financial planning services
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discounts
• Employee referral bonus

Specific plan details and coverage for each benefit noted above will be provided upon offer.