DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU?
You are a strategic and experienced environmental planning professional who thrives on leading complex projects and guiding high-performing teams. You resonate with the moniker “CEQA Geek” or “NEPA Nerd.” You enjoy providing direction and mentorship to staff while ensuring projects meet client expectations, contractual requirements, and quality standards. You are motivated by business development and operational excellence, pursuing new opportunities, building client relationships, and delivering impactful environmental planning solutions. You are excited about the prospect of developing and opening new markets or geographic areas and building upon an existing reputation in established markets. You excel at managing people, budgets, and resources, and you take pride in fostering professional growth and a positive team culture. You are confident representing the company and clients independently in compliance negotiations, leading cross-practice initiatives, and making decisions that advance both project and company goals. You are seeking a new leadership growth opportunity or looking to make a change to join a dynamic and growing consultancy. If you are ready to combine leadership, technical expertise, and strategic vision to shape environmental planning projects across California and beyond, this role is for you.
Ascent is seeking a full-time Environmental Planning Director to join our Environmental Practice team in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, or San Diego. In a typical week in this role, you might:
- Drive business development, including growing and diversifying the client base, preparing proposals, and building relationships with prospective clients.
- Generate $750,000–$1,500,000+ in new work annually and manage $1,000,000–$2,500,000+ in net revenue per year.
- Prepare financially sound budgets and schedules, ensuring projects are completed on time and within contract price.
- Lead strategic initiatives that support the practice and the company’s overall growth.
- Oversee business operations for assigned projects, including invoices, accounts receivable, project planning in Vantagepoint, and timesheet reviews.
- Take ownership of team performance, including financial results and professional development goals.
- Serve as project director for various types of CEQA/NEPA projects, including development, infrastructure, regulations, and land use plans.
- Lead project meetings and public presentations, and direct large teams to deliver high-quality documents, reports, presentations, and technical memoranda.
- Review work products to ensure they meet or exceed the company’s quality standards.
- Solve complex environmental challenges with minimal oversight, addressing client concerns effectively.
- Serve as a mentor and role model for early- and mid-career staff, fostering professional growth.
- Contribute to office leadership, staff development, and overall company growth by identifying staffing needs and practice area opportunities.
- Work with clients on complex, first-of-their-kind environmental planning projects.
- Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams locally and across regions, coaching and leading staff.
- Recruit, interview, hire, and train new staff in alignment with Ascent’s policies.
- Oversee department workload, deadlines, and employee morale, addressing emerging personnel issues proactively.
- Conduct quality assurance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and mentor staff.
- Introduce new technologies and approaches, providing training and guidance to the team.
- Improve client service and satisfaction through process and policy enhancements.
- Coordinate efforts across operations, technology, and finance to optimize workflow and cost efficiency.
- Represent Ascent positively to employees, clients, the industry, and the community.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in planning, environmental studies, geography, natural resources, physical sciences, or a related field. Equivalent experience demonstrating technical proficiency may be substituted.
- 15+ years of experience preparing environmental analysis documents (e.g., environmental impact reports, initial studies, constraints analyses) under CEQA, NEPA, and related laws.
- Proven experience managing and directing large, multidisciplinary teams in the preparation of environmental documents and analyses.
- Expert knowledge of applicable environmental laws and regulations, with the ability to review work, ensure compliance, and deliver high-quality products for federal, state, local agencies, and private clients.
- Advanced expertise in environmental planning and related fields.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee large, complex projects and programs, including quality assurance and quality control of deliverables and presentations.
- Strong understanding of business operations, with demonstrated experience in decision-making, people management, and human resources–related policies and issues.
- Proven ability to manage projects and teams to meet or exceed financial objectives.
- Strong financial management skills, including preparation of cost projections, budget tracking, and invoice review.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including editing and preparation of technical reports.
- Strong task management and organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
- Commitment to mentoring and supporting staff in achieving professional growth and development goals.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
- High emotional intelligence, professionalism, and a collaborative mindset.
- Ability to represent the firm professionally and consistently with its core values.
Work environment
- Typical office environment
- Hybrid
Physical Demands
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift 15 pounds at a time.
Travel
- Limited travel may be required.
Work authorization/security clearance requirements: Not eligible for sponsorship
Additional eligibility requirements: N/A
At Ascent, we believe in fostering a nurturing environment that prioritizes our people. We are committed to holistic investments in our team, offering not only competitive salaries and comprehensive medical benefits but also a range of perks designed to enhance emotional, financial, and physical wellness. A comprehensive list of benefits offered can be found here.
As a people-first organization, we value and will strive to ascend by welcoming and uplifting all voices, ideas, achievements, and contributions, including those from marginalized communities and identities. We believe that recognizing and embracing our differences makes us a stronger organization. We commit to proactively nurturing environments of mutual support, respect, and caring for all through our words and actions.
Interested in learning more about Ascent's culture? Reach out to our People Resources team at PeopleResources@ascent.inc. We look forward to hearing from you!
EEO Statement
Ascent provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Ascent is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact PeopleResources@ascent.inc.
Ascent strives for equity in every area at Ascent, including compensation. To ensure candidates are paid fairly, the offered salary will fall within this range and will be determined based on the candidate’s demonstrated qualifications and alignment with the requirements of the position outlined above.
