Aspen Environmental Group is seeking an experienced and motivated environmental planning professional to support our growing environmental practice in our four major offices in Southern California, Bay Area, and Sacramento.

Required Education and Experience

• 8+ years of professional experience as a land use or environmental planner with proven and strong analytical and writing skills, and a good working knowledge of both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public policy, public administration, or related field; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Extremely strong writing and communication skills, as the bulk of the work is focused on analytical report writing for technical studies and NEPA/CEQA documents.

Key Responsibilities

• Support Aspen’s Planning and Public Policy Group by conducting land use, agriculture, recreation, socioeconomics, environmental justice, and policy consistency analyses for technical studies and NEPA/CEQA documents, including leading up and writing sections of Initial Studies, Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements, and justifications for categorical exemptions and exclusions
• Act as deputy Project Manager, Task Leader, or manage smaller projects and associated project environmental documents.
• Conduct desktop research and field work (as necessary) to complete technical studies, prepare planning and policy documents, or permitting applications/packets for specific projects as assigned.
• Effectively manage writing tasks and/or projects and interact/collaborate with teams of staff, subconsultants, and clients.
• Support the preparation of proposals and statements of qualifications in response to RFPs and RFQs.
• Ensure high-quality standards for all project deliverables.
• Assist project team with preparation of public meeting materials and notices as well as in-person or online public meetings.
• Working knowledge of managing project finances and budgets.

Qualifications for Success:

• Ability to work independently and demonstrate a high level of competence and experience in writing, working with teams, clients, subcontractors, and regulatory personnel.
• Exceptionally detail oriented with attention to quality.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality written work product and verbal presentations.

• Strong working knowledge and demonstrated work experience in California with both CEQA and NEPA compliance and permitting for:
  • Urban, suburban, and rural land development projects;
  • Energy projects;
  • Water projects;
  • Federal and local agency land use plan amendments;
  • Projects with utilities, municipalities, cities, and/or counties.
• Experience with land use entitlement processes, general plans, master plans, specific plans, city ordinance reviews, and zoning and land use regulations.
• Willingness to take pride in ownership of work products.
• Ability to provide support to senior staff in marketing and business development to capitalize on existing client relationships and to expand Aspen’s profile and market share in the regional market.
• Client-focused, responsive to client needs, and solution oriented.
• Proficient (i.e., strong working knowledge) in Microsoft Office Suite, especially in Word and Excel. Ideal candidate would also be familiar with ArcGIS.

Compensation. Aspen offers a wide range of benefits and a competitive compensation package. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

To apply. Please submit a letter of interest, resume, references, and a recent (no more than one year old) writing sample in which the candidate was the sole author to humanresources@aspeneg.com.  The subject line must state, “Land Use Planner – [NAME].” Note that all candidates will be tested in their writing and editorial review skills during the interview process.

Aspen Environmental Group is seeking a highly motivated Mid to Senior Level Cultural Resources Specialist based in California largely remote.

Required Education and Experience

• An M.A. or a Ph.D. in archaeology or a related field.
• RPA certification preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in California CRM, including California prehistoric and historic-aged resources.
• 1 to 2 years of supervisory or management experience.
• 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, including an understanding of federal permits needed for cultural resources investigations.
• Experience authoring technical reports and evaluating resources for the California or National Register.
• Experience in writing CEQA/NEPA documents sections pertaining to Cultural and Tribal Cultural Resources.
• Experience in writing scopes of work and budget proposals a plus.
• Experience working with southern California Native American tribal members is a plus.

Responsibilities May Include

• Assisting Cultural Group Manager in managing cultural resource projects including oversight of cultural/tribal/paleontological resources tasks in coordination with Cultural Staff and Aspen Project Managers.
• Assist with archival, ethnohistoric, and historical research;
• Supervise, and direct archaeological surveys, site testing, and prepare resource evaluation documents.
• Assist the Cultural Group Manager with tracking numerous projects, task budgets and delivery schedules with high accuracy.
• Prepare cultural and/or tribal cultural sections of CEQA/NEPA environmental documents, technical reports, DPR 523 site forms, and other compliance and recommendation documents.
• Assist with in-person record searches as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications for Success

• High standard for quality written products and technical writing skills is required, including attention to detail.
• Candidates must have a strong work ethic and be highly motivated.
• Highly developed organizational skills with attention to both the big picture and attention to detail are a necessity to meet competing deadlines and demands.
• Comfortable in communicating with a geographically dispersed staff.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and work well under pressure.
• The candidate would also enjoy conducting site visits in remote or challenging physical environments on occasion.
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required; GIS experience, and MS Project is beneficial.

Compensation. Aspen offers a wide range of benefits and a competitive compensation package. Salary will be commensurate with experience but will be within the range of $69,000 to $80,000.

To apply. Please submit a letter of interest, resume, references, and a writing sample of a technical report in which the candidate was the sole or majority author to ldeoliveira@aspeneg.com. The subject line must state, “Midlevel Cultural Resource Specialist – [NAME].”

Aspen Environmental Group is seeking a highly motivated Senior Biologist in Southern California. 

Required Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree or higher.  
• 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 review and 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. 

 Responsibilities Will Include

• Preparing and editing NEPA and CEQA documents, technical reports, and regulatory application packages.  
• Preparing permit application packages in accordance with federal, state, and local guidelines.  
• Preparing proposal and budget packages.  

• Managing project budgets and coordinating project schedules and deliverables.  
• Participating in interdisciplinary teams for watershed assessment, resource inventory, impact analysis, and natural resource management planning projects. 
• Completing wetland delineations and functional assessments. 
• Managing teams of biologists.  
• Mentoring junior staff on technical, project management, and career development matters. 

• Working effectively in both field and office environments. 

Qualifications for Success  

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce high quality written reports and verbal presentations. 
• Candidates must have a strong work ethic and be highly motivated. 
• Highly-developed organizational skills with the ability to focus on broad-scale issues along with an attention to detail to meet competing deadlines and demands.  

• 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 for client meetings, sometimes in remote areas or rugged terrain.   

Compensation. Aspen offers a wide range of benefits and a competitive compensation package. Salary will be commensurate with experience. 

To apply. Please submit a letter of interest, resume, references, and a writing sample in which the candidate was the sole or majority author to jminer@aspeneg.com.  The subject line must state, “Senior Biologist Candidate – [NAME]”.  

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.

Education and Experience

• 15 to 20 years of professional experience as an Environmental/Engineering/Land Use Planner.
• 10 years of experience managing large projects/programs for federal and state agencies, utilities, municipalities, and counties.
• AICP, LEED AP, or CEP certifications are a plus.
• Bachelor’s and Master’s degree required in engineering, urban planning, environmental policy, natural resources, environmental science, ecology, or related field.

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 clients and resource agencies to plan and facilitate compliance, best practices, and permit approval.
• Manage and oversee multiple projects simultaneously within budget, scope, and schedule expectations.
• 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.
• Prepare proposals, interview, and win large energy, infrastructure and public works projects from federal, state, and local municipal clients.
• Provide leadership, training, and mentorship to team members.

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:
  • Power generation projects;
  • Electrical transmission and distributions projects;
  • Large-scale battery storage projects;
  • Wildfire risk reduction project;
  • Water and public works projects;
• 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.

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 humanresources@aspeneg.com.  The subject line should state, “CEQA/NEPA Project Manager.”

Aspen Environmental Group is seeking a highly motivated Biologist in California.

Responsibilities

• Writing and editing technical reports, proposals, CEQA and NEPA impact analyses, and regulatory permit applications. Writing ability is essential to this position and will require the demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality, well written, well organized documents consistent with industry standards.
• Completing resource area delineations and functional assessments.
• Preparing permit applications in accordance with State, Local, and Federal guidelines.
• Managing project budgets and coordinating project work.
• Participating in interdisciplinary teams for watershed assessment, resource inventory, impact analysis, and natural resource management planning projects
• Working effectively in both field and office environments.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience; preferably 10+ years.
• A bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) in biological sciences or a closely related field.

Qualifications for Success

• Highly-developed organization skills with attention to both the big picture and attention to detail are a necessity to meet competing deadlines and demands.

• Experience with construction monitoring and compliance reporting, preferred.
• Skills in MS Office, CRAM, ARC GIS, and GPS data collection,
• Ability to travel regionally, as-needed. 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.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, particularly the ability to produce high-quality written reports.
• Demonstrated experience in project permitting, impact assessments, proposal preparation, environmental planning, and biological resource delineation, and mitigation planning.
• Experience with state and federal regulations and permitting for jurisdictional waters and wetlands.
• Experience and familiarity with state and federal Endangered Species Act regulations and consultations.
• Experience with CEQA and NEPA document preparation.
• Relevant experience with California and southwestern ecosystems and knowledge of local southern California flora and fauna.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate successful relationships with clients, regulatory agencies and subcontractors.
• Success in new business development, preferred.

Compensation. Aspen offers a wide range of benefits and a competitive compensation package. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

To Apply.  Please submit a letter of interest, resume and writing sample to humanresources@aspeneg.com with “Senior Biologist [NAME]” in the subject line.

Aspen Environmental Group is seeking an experienced and motivated environmental professional to support our growing environmental practice in our San Francisco and Sacramento, CA offices.

Required Education and Experience

• 8+ years of professional experience as an Environmental Scientist/Land Use Planner, including some project management experience.
• Requires Bachelors’ degree in environmental science, urban planning, public policy, natural resources, ecology, or related field; Masters’ degree a plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage small to medium-sized CEQA and NEPA projects, including Initial Studies and Mitigated Negative Declarations (IS/MNDs) or Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and Environmental Assessments (EAs) or Environmental Impact Statements (EISs).
• Write and review sections of CEQA and NEPA documents, including IS/MNDs, EIRs, EAs, or EISs, and supporting technical studies.
• Conduct research and field work necessary to complete technical studies, prepare environmental documents or policy documents.
• Review invoices, track budgets, and manage project schedules.
• Interact with clients and work closely with project teams to plan and facilitate compliance, best practices, and permit approval.
• Support the preparation of proposals and statements of qualifications in response to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Requests for Qualifications (RFQs).
• Ensure high-quality standards for all project deliverables and marketing materials.

Qualifications for Success

• Ability to work independently and demonstrate a high level of competence and experience in working with teams, clients, subcontractors, and regulatory personnel.
• Exceptional detail orientation and attention to quality and project deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as interpersonal skills to effectively manage assigned tasks and interact with teams of staff, subconsultants, and clients.

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce high quality written work product and verbal presentations.

• Strong working knowledge and demonstrated work experience in California with CEQA/NEPA compliance and permitting for:
  • Solar, wind, and gas-fired power generation projects, including both developer clients and public agency clients.
  • Public works projects;
  • Projects with utilities, municipalities, cities, and/or counties.
• 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.
• Experience with land use entitlement processes, general plans, master plans, specific plans, city ordinance reviews, and zoning and land use regulations.
• Experience with Climate Action Plans, facilities master planning, or other long-range development plans.
• Ability to coordinate and manage projects, adhere to schedules, and apply environmental regulations.
• Client focused and responsive to customer needs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, including familiarity with ArcGIS.

Compensation. Aspen offers a wide range of benefits and a competitive compensation package. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

To apply. Please submit a letter of interest, resume, references, and a writing sample in which the candidate was the sole author to aspen@aspeneg.com.  The subject line must state, “Mid-Level Project Manager – [NAME]”.

Aspen Environmental Group is seeking Staff Archaeologists and Archaeological Field Technicians to participate in a variety of upcoming projects in several California locations.

 Responsibilities. The selected candidate(s) may, as needed:

• Perform pedestrian field survey using Trimble GPS and/or Fulcrum Smartphone technology in addition to illustrating site sketch maps and features accurately,
• Be able to identify (describe, measure, photograph and illustrate) prehistoric and historic artifact classes and materials and faunal remains,
• Have a sound knowledge of soils, geomorphology and how to describe them,
• Participate in excavations using trowel, brush, shovel, backhoe or whatever recovery procedure is warranted under the supervision of an Aspen Field Director,
• Conduct archaeological monitoring of construction sites,
• Complete California DPR forms accurately, succinctly; and quickly in the field using Aspen apps. Experience with ESRI or Adobe Creative Cloud and/or Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) a big plus,

Successful candidates must have the ability to maintain high quality field notes, keep good organization of field records, and maintain a professional demeanor in a variety of often strenuous outdoor and remote environmental work conditions.

Education and Experience. Candidates must have either a B.A. degree in anthropology, or a Master’s degree in archaeology or cultural resources management. In both cases, the candidate must have at least three years of experience working with California prehistoric or historic-aged resources and be able to identify prehistoric and historic artifacts. Certification by the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA) is a plus, but not required. Candidates must also have a good understanding of culture history relevant to California.

• Successful candidates must have a valid CA Driver’s License with a clean driving record and be comfortable working in strenuous hiking and harsh weather conditions.

The ideal candidate would be enthusiastic, highly motivated, attentive to fine details, well organized, and comfortable working remotely via cell phone app and email exchange. This candidate would be able to transport themselves to the work site and to Aspen’s office locations.

Compensation. To be determined based on education, experience, and skill set, but generally $18-$30/hour.

To apply. Please email to Lauren DeOliveira at ldeoliveira@aspeneg.com

Aspen Environmental Group is seeking a highly motivated Surface and Ground Water Hydrologist in one of its southern California offices.

Responsibilities

Environmental services are mostly interdisciplinary.  A candidate with a broad knowledge of hydrology who has worked in an interdisciplinary environment is preferred.   May manage or will assist project managers and other scientific leaders on all aspects of surface water and groundwater analysis, project planning and possibly provide assistance on other projects.  Responsibilities include field sampling and data collection, data analysis, cost estimating, subcontractor management, and technical writing. Performs a range of tasks, requiring utilization of basic and specialized technical field and analytical methods. Work is reviewed for application of sound professional judgment.  Will be required to prepare work plans, perform field data collection and prepare technical analysis and written reports summarizing results. A willingness to cross train in other disciplines a plus.

Required Education and Experience

BA or BS degree in hydrology or related field and at least 10 years hydrology-related  experience in a professional position located in California, or MA or MS degree in hydrology or related field and at least 5 years in a similar professional position.

Professional experience should include:

• Field evaluations such as site assessments for impact analysis or development of hydrologic and hydraulic mitigation measures, and collecting stream cross section, stream roughness, flow and water quality data.
• Field equipment for basic surveying, water quality sampling and flow measurement data collection preferred but not essential.
• Calculations and modeling of stream discharges, determination of flood limits and watershed analysis. Groundwater modeling experience is desirable but not essential.
• Preparation of written surface water and groundwater technical evaluations and development water supply assessments.
• Preparation of surface water and groundwater impacts analyses for CEQA and NEPA documentation.
• Experience with the preparation of Jurisdictional Delineation reports addressing federal and state jurisdiction according to US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) policy is desirable.
• Experience with the preparation of notifications and applications for state and federal authorizations: USACE Clean Water Act Section 404, CDFW Fish and Game Code Lake and Streambed Agreement, and California Regional Water Quality Control Board CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certifications is desirable.
• Preparation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans.

Qualifications for Success

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to produce high quality written reports and verbal presentations. Candidates must have a strong work ethic and be highly motivated, and able to meet and manage deadlines and budgets.  Highly-developed organization skills with attention to both the big picture and attention to detail are a necessity to meet competing deadlines and demands.  Should be familiar with regulatory requirements, permitting processes,  and regulatory agencies associated with construction of major infrastructure projects. This position requires field work and travel throughout California, Arizona and Nevada. Must be able to obtain security clearance as applicable for project site access. Able  to resolve conflicts and provide solutions in a professional manner. Knowledge of MS Word and Excel. GIS experience is a plus. Ability to perform year-round fieldwork in all types of weather, including extreme weather conditions. Experience working in remote locations as well as urban and suburban areas is a requirement. Must possess a valid Driver License.

Compensation. Aspen offers a wide range of benefits and a competitive compensation package. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

To apply. Please submit a letter of interest, resume, references, and a writing sample in which the candidate was the sole or majority author to humanresources@aspeneg.com.  The subject line must state, “Water Resources Specialist – [NAME]”.