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.
