DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU?
You believe in the importance of effectively responding to the wildfire crisis in California and the western U.S. As a project manager of CEQA or NEPA documents, you’re excited about and are looking for a way to contribute more to state-wide effort to increase the pace and scale of wildfire resilience projects that address the crisis. Your background is in environmental planning or natural resources, and you have experience managing CEQA or NEPA compliance projects. You would like to apply your experience to improving community safety, restoring natural fire ecology processes, and contributing to the efficient implementation of projects beneficial to wildfire resilience. You are looking for a collaborative, collegial, and supportive workplace with a professional leader. (Ascent prepared the California Vegetation Treatment Program [CalVTP] Program EIR and leads its efficient project-level implementation statewide.) You are seeking caring, expert-level mentorship and greatly enjoy working in interdisciplinary teams with other natural resources and environmental professionals and agency staff to solve challenging resource problems. Analytical thinking and writing quality are your core skills. You believe strongly in the value of well-conceived, concise, and clearly written analysis, so that clients, regulators, and public agency officials have technically accurate, objective, and reliable information to support their decisions.
Job Duties/Responsibilities
Ascent seeks to fill a full-time position for an experienced Environmental Project Manager to help improve wildfire resilience as part of our Environmental Practice Group and participate in other natural resource-oriented environmental projects over time. The position could be in any of our Sacramento, San Diego, Berkeley, Lake Tahoe, or Irvine offices.
In a typical week, you might:
- Collaborate with Ascent leaders and client staff to conceive of innovations in environmental review of wildfire resilience projects.
- Lead your project team in the management of CEQA document preparation for vegetation management projects for a state agency, resource conservation district, fire-safe council, or local government.
- Help clients achieve efficient approval of vegetation management projects using consistency with the California Vegetation Treatment Program (CalVTP) or a similar programmatic environmental document.
- Host virtual or in-person coordination meetings with your clients to chart a course for your project that meets the client’s schedule, budget, and quality objectives.
- Oversee preparation of a NEPA document that addresses fire fuel reduction and forest ecosystem restoration on National Forests, National parks, or Reclamation watershed lands.
- In addition to wildfire resilience projects, lead environmental review of species conservation plans, recreation plans, ecosystem restoration projects, or fish and wildlife management plans.
- Collaborate with state or federal agency staff to envision new strategies to comply with CEQA or NEPA, including efficiency innovations.
- Contribute to proposals for new projects, such as helping prepare a scope of work and price estimate for opportunities to conduct an environmental review of a forest management plan, fire protection plan, or fuel reduction project.
- Assist with in-house training or speak at a conference or about the latest strategies to promote wildfire resilience or best practices in environmental compliance.
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.
Qualifications
- BS or MS in environmental studies, natural resources, ecology, forestry, or a related field.
- Strong knowledge of and experience with CEQA and/or NEPA compliance.
- 5 or more years of relevant environmental document management experience.
- Excellent writing skills and strong organizational skills for budget and schedule management.
Work environment
- Typical office environment
- Hybrid schedules available
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. Mostly in California, and to other Ascent offices.
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 listing of benefits offered can be found here. Interested in learning more about the Ascentian life? Reach out to our People Resources team at People.Resources@ascent.inc. We look forward to hearing from you!
Diversity Statement
Ascent is committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging throughout all facets of the 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. Join us on our journey.
Affirmative Action/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 identity or expression, 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.
