Aspen Environmental Group is seeking an experienced Senior-Level Land Use Planner and CEQA/NEPA Project Manager to assist in directing and managing our growing practice.  This position would be based in our Sacramento office.

About Aspen

Aspen is a dynamic, interdisciplinary environmental services firm that provides impacts analysis, permitting, and compliance services for a wide variety of federal and state agencies, as well as private sector clients. Aspen specializes in providing expert compliance services for complex, multi-faceted infrastructure and public works projects. Aspen has about 60 dedicated and enthusiastic employees located mainly across four offices in California. We maintain a collaborative work environment that promotes multi-disciplinary collaboration and rigorous applied science. We pride ourselves on shaping careers in a way that provides a healthy rhythm of work and life responsibilities. Success at Aspen will include a blend of motivated initiative, business acumen, technical expertise, commitment, flexibility, and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage the preparation of CEQA and NEPA documents, including Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, and supporting technical studies.
• Identify, evaluate, and solve environmental compliance and regulatory issues related to planning, energy, infrastructure, and public works projects in northern California.
• Ensure high-quality standards for all marketing materials and project deliverables.
• Work closely with project engineers to plan and facilitate compliance, best practices, and permit approval.
• Provide leadership, training, and mentorship to team.
• Manage and oversee multiple projects simultaneously within budget, scope, and schedule expectations.
• Prepare proposals and statements of qualifications in response to RFPs and RFQs.
• Take an active leadership role in the development of new business with new and existing clients.
• Develop and expand client relationships that generate repeat business.

Qualifications for Success

• Strong technical experience and writing capabilities.
• Experience in marketing and business development to capitalize on existing client relationships and to expand Aspen’s profile and market share in the regional market.
• Proven business development experience for large programs/contracts supported by repeat business, including established contacts in the northern California area.
• Strong working knowledge and demonstrated work experience with CEQA/NEPA compliance and permitting in California, with an emphasis on northern California for:
  • Master Plans, general plans, specific plans, etc.;
  • Climate Action Plans;
  • Urban land development projects;
  • Power generation projects;
  • Public works projects;
  • Projects with utilities, municipalities, cities, and/or counties;
• Experience with development projects, general plans, specific plans, city ordinance reviews, and zoning and land use regulations.
• Ability to coordinate and manage projects and apply environmental regulations.
• Strong communication skills.
• Client focused and responsive to customer needs.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel, including familiarity with ArcGIS.
• Strong reputation for high-quality work products and great attention to detail.

Education and Experience

• 10 to 15 years of professional experience as a Project Manager and/or Environmental/Land Use Planner.
• 7 years of experience managing projects/programs for utilities, municipalities, cities, and/or counties.
• AICP, LEED AP, or CEP certifications a plus.
• Bachelors and Master’s degree required in urban planning, environmental policy, public administration, natural resources, environmental science, ecology, or related field.
• Registered Professional in Architecture or Planning a plus.

Compensation. Aspen offers a wide range of benefits and a competitive compensation package. Eligibility for benefits is earned with length of service professional development time. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

To apply.  Please submit a letter of interest and resume to Tom Murphy at tmurphy@aspeneg.com.  The subject line should state, “CEQA/NEPA Project Manager.”

Aspen Environmental Group (Aspen) is seeking a Cultural Resources Program Manager in our Agoura Hills corporate headquarters.

Aspen is a dynamic, interdisciplinary environmental services firm that provides impacts analysis, permitting, and compliance services for a wide variety of federal and state agencies, as well as private groups. Aspen specializes in providing expert compliance services for complex, multi-faceted infrastructure and public works projects. Aspen’s cultural resources group is currently involved in a number of energy and infrastructure projects in desert, coastal and suburban environments.  The group is innovative in the approach and use of new technologies, yet remains well-grounded in the professional understanding of federal and state laws and regulations, in addition to local ordinances and general plans applicable to cultural and tribal cultural resources. Aspen’s cultural resources group provides a supportive and stimulating work environment that a talented senior archaeologist will find rewarding.

Responsibilities

The selected candidate will:

• Manage and further develop the Cultural Resources Program, including tribal and paleontological resource areas;
• Manage and direct cultural/tribal/paleontological resources tasks in coordination with Aspen Project Managers;
• Manage, supervise, and direct archaeological survey, site testing and prepare resource evaluation documents;
• Control and track various project and project sub-task budgets and delivery schedule with high accuracy, and prepare Cost and schedule Modification Requests on an as-needed basis;
• Hire and supervise cultural resources and paleontology staff;
• Prepare or provide senior QA/QC review of cultural and/or tribal cultural sections of environmental documents, technical reports, and other compliance and recommendation documents;
• Conduct Native American consultation support services;
• Attend or present at one professional conference annually; and,
• Participate in marketing and proposal preparation activities.

Education and Experience

Candidates must have either an M.A. or a Ph.D. in archaeology. Minimum of 10 years of supervisory or management experience in California CRM required. RPA certification preferred. In addition, successful candidates must have a strong work ethic and demonstrated leadership ability, excellent communication skills, strong technical writing skills, expertise in California archaeology, and extensive understanding of CEQA, Assembly Bill 52, NEPA, and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Familiarity with U.S. Forest Service Programmatic Agreements, Bureau of Land Management Manuals, and Caltrans standards and requirements related to cultural resources would be a plus.

The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, have excellent organization and supervisorial skills, highly motivated, entrepreneurial,  able to self-direct, be attentive to fine details,  and comfortable in effectively managing and communicating with a geographically dispersed staff. The candidate would also enjoy conducting site visits in remote or challenging physical environments on occasion.

Compensation

Aspen offers a wide range of benefits and a competitive compensation package. Eligibility for benefits is earned with length of service professional development time. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

To apply

Please submit a letter of interest, Curriculum Vitae, a writing sample of a previously published environmental section in which the candidate was the sole or majority author, and three current references’ contact information to Neda Rastegar at nrastegar@aspeneg.com. The subject line must state, “Cultural Resources Program Manager.” Aspen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment in a non-discriminatory manner.

Aspen Environmental Group is seeking a highly motivated Senior Biologist in its southern California office (Agoura Hills).

The Senior Biologist will be responsible for:

• Completing resource area delineations and functional assessments.
• Preparing permits in accordance with State, Local, and Federal guidelines.
• Preparing reports and proposals.
• Managing project budgets and coordinating project work.
• Writing and editing technical reports and regulatory applications
• Participating in interdisciplinary teams for watershed assessment, resource inventory, impact analysis, and natural resource management planning projects
• Managing teams of biologists
• Mentoring junior staff on technical, project management, and career development matters
• Working effectively in both field and office environments.

Experience and qualifications for success:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience in project permitting, impact assessments, proposal preparation, environmental planning and biological delineation/mitigation.
• Demonstrated experience with local, state and federal wetland permitting programs.
• Demonstrated experience with CEQA and NEPA document preparation.
• Relevant experience with California and southwestern ecosystems and knowledge of local southern California flora and fauna.
• Demonstrated successful client relationships and experience working with subcontractors and regulatory agencies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce high quality written reports and verbal presentations.
• Demonstrated success in new business development, preferred.
• Experience with construction monitoring and compliance reporting, preferred.
• Skills in MS Office, CRAM, ARC GIS and GPS data collection, preferred.
• Ability to travel regionally.  In addition, as this position could involve field work to remote areas, the applicant must be able to travel to and work in rugged terrain during inclement weather.
• A bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred)

Aspen is an environmental consulting firm providing a spectrum of environmental services to clients including a wide array of public and private clients. Aspen has about 70 dedicated and enthusiastic employees located mainly across four offices in California. We maintain a collaborative work environment that promotes multi-disciplinary collaboration and rigorous applied science. We pride ourselves on shaping careers in a way that provides a healthy rhythm of work and life responsibilities. Success at Aspen will include a blend of motivated initiative, business acumen, technical expertise, commitment, flexibility, and teamwork.

To apply for this position, please email a resume and cover letter to Chris Huntley at chuntley@aspeneg.com.

Aspen is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity and an inclusive work environment.  Aspen considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, ancestry, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.