Lead Environmental Planner/Assistant Project Manager

Insignia is seeking a motivated Lead Environmental Planner/Assistant Project Manager to support the delivery of environmental planning and permitting projects for energy and infrastructure clients. This role focuses on assisting with project coordination, contributing to the preparation of environmental documents and permit applications, and supporting communication with clients and regulatory agencies under the direction of senior staff. The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in environmental planning and consulting, demonstrates sound technical writing and organizational skills, and a desire to build project management capabilities. This role requires a working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations, along with the ability to manage priorities, contribute to client-facing work, and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams. This is a full-time hybrid position based out of Insignia’s Menlo Park headquarters or Insignia’s Encinitas office.

Job Description

Assist in the coordination and execution of environmental projects from initiation through completion, supporting senior staff and project managers.

Support preparation and review of environmental documents in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Assist with the development and submission of regulatory permit applications, including the Clean Water Act (Sections 404 and 401), the Endangered Species Act (Sections 7 and 10), and Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements.

Apply working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental regulations to support project compliance and execution.

Support communication with clients, regulators, and stakeholders, with increasing responsibility over time.

Participate in internal and client meetings related to project status, permitting strategies, and key milestones.

Assist in coordinating technical staff and subconsultants, supporting task tracking and deliverable completion.

Support delivery of environmental work products to meet project requirements, agency expectations, and Insignia’s quality standards within budget and schedule constraints.

Conduct technical writing, editing, and review of environmental analyses, technical studies, and permit packages.

Assist with proposal development, including contributing to scopes of work and budgets.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental science, biology, ecology, environmental planning, or a related field.

At least 3 years of relevant professional experience, with environmental consulting experience strongly preferred.

At least 1 year of experience working in an Assistant Project Manager or similar project coordination role.

Working knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, and other relevant federal and state environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act.

Experience supporting environmental permitting, environmental review, interagency coordination, and client-facing project work.

Technical background or familiarity in one or more environmental disciplines, such as biology (e.g., botany, wildlife, wetlands), environmental policy, or land use planning.

Familiarity with California ecosystems, species, and regulatory environments.

Experience supporting project teams and coordinating with technical staff or subconsultants.

Demonstrated ability to contribute to high-quality work products within scope, budget, and schedule across multiple projects.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with professionalism in interactions with clients, regulators, and internal teams.

Proficiency in preparing and reviewing technical documents with strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (particularly Word and Excel) and other project management software.