Practice Leader - Community Planning and Natural Resources

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is seeking a Practice Leader who will be responsible for supporting the growth of Rincon's Community Planning market sector team. This role will collaborate with local and statewide leadership to oversee and expand existing natural resource programs and Rincon's client base. It will involve collaboration with Rincon's multi-disciplinary technical experts on products including open space and conservation planning, CEQA/NEPA documentation, climate action/adaptation/resiliency planning, regulatory permitting, wildfire management, and environmental investigations. The Practice Leader will manage teams responsible for the preparation of CEQA/NEPA sections, programmatic technical analysis for Open Space and Conservation Elements, resource management plans, wetlands and endangered species permit applications, and associated technical studies.

The ideal candidate must have working knowledge of emerging legislative requirements and best practices for holistic approaches to habitat conservation planning in the context of local and regional government policy planning, CEQA/NEPA, biological resources, environmental policy, and legislation. The candidate will also show strong proficiency in sound project management skills, be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and be interested in working in a fast-paced environment. The candidate should have experience working with conservation agencies such as CAL FIRE, Water Districts, Park Districts, Joint Powers Authorities, Resource Conservation Districts, Tribes, Counties, Cities, CDFW, and US Fish and Wildlife Service and should possess knowledge and understanding of potential funding sources available to local government agencies to support conservation planning.

While this role may offer flexible work arrangements that can include a mix of in-office and remote work, our changing business needs will ultimately determine our level of remote-work flexibility. Additionally, to promote in-person collaboration and client teaming, we prioritize hiring those who reside within 50 miles of a Rincon office which currently includes: Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Please note, this position is listed for Los Angeles but is also available at all the locations stated in this job description.

Overview of Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Management

• Manage and deliver multi-disciplinary work products and services for complex projects, including Open Space and Conservation Elements, General Plans, CEQA/NEPA documents, Community Plans, Regulatory Permit Packages, Master/Specific Plans, Wildfire Management, Sustainability, Programmatic Regional Management Plans, and/or other comprehensive planning documents

• Collaborate with land use and environmental planners, biologists, climate specialists, wildfire experts, urban foresters / arborists, and other technical specialists to deliver innovative, interdisciplinary work products

• Prepare, coordinate, and facilitate public involvement and consensus-building meetings and workshops

• Perform various business development functions, focused on leading proposal preparation, attendance at interviews, and leading company outreach, marketing networking, and business development efforts related to the Community Planning market

• Provide Principal-level oversight for the preparation of complex environmental and/or planning studies

• Promote a culture of teamwork, engagement, quality service, and customer satisfaction to our public and private clients

Business Development and Operations Management

• Collaborate on market strategy for the Community Planning practice

• Perform various business development functions, including identifying business opportunities, leading proposal preparation, attending interviews and leading company outreach/marketing, and business development efforts

• Be actively involved in environmental industry organizations statewide

• Work with other Rincon leaders in the development of the annual Business Plan and lead implementation of the Business Plan

• Participate in and lead cross-market services with other Rincon service lines to clients

Talent Advancement

• Mentor junior, mid-level, and senior staff in development as excellent consultants

• Support development of career path planning for staff

• Identify and recruit qualified staff, as needed

• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor(s)

This Job Might Be For You If You Have The Following:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Biology, Urban Planning, Geography, or related field

• Possess 10+ years of related demonstrated experience in natural resources, community planning, urban design and/or environmental planning, and successful environmental consulting (Project Management, Business Development, and Technical Work)

• Experience with a private sector consulting firm

• Knowledge of emerging legislative requirements and best practices for holistic approaches to habitat conservation planning in the context of local and regional government policy planning, CEQA/NEPA, biological resources, environmental policy, and legislation

• Experience with developing new business pursuits

• Excellent communication, planning, writing, and organizational skills

• Strong business acumen and customer service skills

• Actively involved in market sector and environmental industry organizations statewide

• Positive attitude and eager to streamline and improve processes and workflows

• Highly motivated with strong interpersonal, team building, and management skills

• Ability to work independently or as part of a team

• Detail-oriented, resourceful, strong time-management skills, and innovative

• Ability and willingness to travel as projects require

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is an award-winning leader in providing quality environmental consulting services throughout California and is recognized as a 'Best Environmental Services Firm to Work For' by the Zweig Group. We partner with clients in sectors such as transportation, energy and infrastructure, sustainability, climate change, oil and gas, water, commercial, private development, and government. Our 400+ associates in 13 offices located in Northern, Central, and Southern California are dedicated professionals who combine their passion with our purpose.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $150,000-$200,000, plus benefits and a generous bonus program. At Rincon, our salary ranges are based on market median of similar jobs, according to third party salary benchmark surveys. The base pay that is actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We are proud to offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package, providing our valued employees with many benefits to enhance their well-being and financial security. Our health benefits include a range of options such as HMO, PPO, HDHP, and Health Savings Account choices, ensuring you have the flexibility to select the plan that best suits your needs.

Additionally, you can enjoy peace of mind with employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance, as well as dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage. We prioritize your well-being by offering three weeks of vacation accrual in the first year, paid sick leave, and paid holidays, ensuring you have ample time off to rejuvenate. Planning for your future is made easier through our 401(k) / Profit Sharing Retirement Plan and bonus opportunities.

Beyond the essentials, Rincon recognizes the importance of personal and professional growth, that's why we provide opportunities for professional development and mentoring. Our commitment extends to the community through Volunteer Pay for a Day, reinforcing the values of social responsibility. Moreover, we go the extra mile with additional perks like Flexible Spending & Dependent Care, Supplemental life insurance, Legal Shield, Identity Protection, Pet Insurance, and much more. Check out more details on our Rincon Consultants webpage here !

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religious belief, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification, gender expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, family care, marital status, military and veteran or qualified disabled veteran status, or any other classification protected by law. Rincon Consultants, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's E-Verify Program to ensure that all employees hired are legally able to work in the United States.