Senior Environmental Planner

Senior Environmental Planner Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scvwd/jobs/newprint/5052208) Apply  Senior Environmental Planner Salary $141,315.20 - $180,960.00 Annually Location CA, CA Job Type Full-Time Job Number 01918-E Division Watersheds Stewardship and Planning Unit Utility Planning & FAHCE Support Opening Date 08/22/2025 Closing Date 9/8/2025 11:59 PM Pacific + Description + Benefits + Questions Description Overview: The Senior Environmental Planner serves as an environmental compliance lead for critical infrastructure projects that provide safe, clean water to Santa Clara County. This role carries out environmental review and permitting for complex operations and maintenance activities for the Water Utility Enterprise, which includes the pipeline maintenance program. Examples of projects are stream gage improvements, pipeline turnout repairs, pump replacements, and culvert repairs. The planner will also provide expert oversight for other projects as needed. This is a leadership position that will play a role in developing and executing integrated environmental strategies that protect and restore watersheds, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance the long-term sustainability of Valley Water’s operations and maintenance activities. Our Commitment: We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship. About Valley Water: Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million, and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community. Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: + CEQA Analysis– Managing the preparation and review of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) analyses to ensure compliance with environmental standards. + Permitting Development of permit strategy for local, State, and Federal regulatory agencies. This includes the development of permit submittals for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Board, Army Corp of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and Valley Habitat Agency. + Mitigation Monitoring & Reporting – Overseeing the preparation and submission of mitigation reports and compliance documentation related to various efforts, as well as other environmental permits. This includes compliance with the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan. + Regulatory Compliance & Oversight – Serve as a subject matter expert in environmental planning, ensuring that operations and maintenance activities meet all relevant federal, state, and local environmental regulations. + Interdepartmental Coordination – Strive for consistency with other Valley Water projects and programs by collaborating with other environmental planners and maintaining alignment with Quality and Environmental Management System (QEMS) protocols and other internal procedures. Ideal Candidate's Background Includes: Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below. Ideal Experience: + Seven (7) years of professional-level environmental planning or related experience evaluating the impact of proposed public works, capital projects, or facilities in the community and the environment. + Experience managing CEQA analysis and compliance + Experience working with State and Federal agencies negotiating permits and ensuring permit compliance. + Experience in preparing compliance reports. + Experience in project management. Ideal Skills and Abilities: + Work collaboratively and develop common understandings through effective communication + Improve and streamline environmental review and permitting processes. + Represent Valley Water and engage with the public, other governmental agencies, and environmental regulators. + Work with different subject matter experts and across all levels of staff in the organization. + Strong oral and written communication skills. + Strong organizational skills with strategic and analytical thinking. Ideal Knowledge: + California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) / National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) expertise. + State and Federal regulatory laws, regulations, and permitting. + Field principles and practices of natural sciences, especially related to air quality, biological resources, geology, and soil, hydrology/water quality, and cultural resources. + Knowledge and familiarity with construction and maintenance practices. Ideal Training and Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental studies, environmental planning, city and regional planning, environmental science, natural resources management, geography, or a closely related field. Required License or Certificate To review the Classification Specification, please clickhere (https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/valleywater.org.us-west-1/s3fs-public/Senior%20Environmental%20Planner%20-%205-2019.pdf) Water Utility Planning and FAHCE Support Unit (Position Code 705) Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date. This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite. Selection Process (1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview. (2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended. NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary. Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification. Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request. Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260. Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants. The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, clickhere (https://www.valleywater.org/benefits) 01 I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position. + Yes + No 02 Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions. + Yes + No 03 Do you possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental studies, environmental planning, city and regional planning, environmental science, natural resources management, geography, or a closely related field? + Yes + No 04 If yes. please list your major coursework. 05 If you do not have a bachelor's degree, do you have an additional six (6) years of directly related experience (for a total of 13 years) to substitute for the education requirement? + Yes + No 06 Do you have seven (7) years of professional-level environmental planning or related experience evaluating the impact of proposed public works or operations and maintenance or facilities in the community and the environment? + Yes + No 07 Do you have a master’s degree with significant coursework in environmental studies, city and regional planning, environmental science, natural resources management, geography, or a closely related field? (Not required but may substitute for two years of experience needed) + Yes + No 08 Do you have experience performing professional-level planning work that did not primarily focus on environmental regulations? ( not required but may substitute for each year of the required environmental planning experience) + Yes + No 09 Please summarize your overall background and education related to this position. 10 Please provide a specific example of completing environmental review for a project. Please include details that explain your specific role in the project and the type of regulatory compliance that was required. 11 Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A". 12 Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A". Required Question Employer Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA) Address 5750 Almaden Expressway San Jose, California, 95118 Phone 1-408-630-2260 Website https://www.valleywater.org Apply Please verify your email addressVerify Email