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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Urban Environmental Planner

💰 $60,000 - $100,000

Urban PlanningEnvironmental PlanningSustainability

🎯 Role Definition

The Urban Environmental Planner develops and implements land use and environmental strategies that balance urban growth, public health, and ecological protection. This role leads environmental reviews, prepares environmental impact assessments, integrates climate resilience and green infrastructure into planning projects, coordinates with stakeholders and regulatory agencies, and applies technical tools such as GIS and environmental modeling to support informed decision-making. The Urban Environmental Planner works within municipal planning departments, regional agencies, consulting firms, or non-profits to translate sustainability goals into actionable plans, permits, policies, and development conditions.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Assistant Planner (Environmental or Land Use)
  • GIS Analyst / Environmental GIS Technician
  • Environmental Specialist or Environmental Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior Urban Environmental Planner / Lead Planner
  • Resilience & Climate Adaptation Manager
  • Principal Planner / Environmental Planning Manager
  • Director of Planning or Head of Sustainability

Lateral Moves:

  • Transportation Planner (with an environmental focus)
  • Coastal or Water Resources Planner
  • Land Use Policy Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead and prepare environmental analyses and environmental impact assessments (EIA/SEA), including scoping, baseline studies, impact identification, mitigation measures, and preparation of draft and final environmental documents for compliance with CEQA, NEPA, and local environmental regulations.
  • Manage land use and environmental planning projects from concept through adoption, including timelines, deliverables, scope control, vendor/consultant oversight, and budget tracking to ensure projects meet regulatory and stakeholder expectations.
  • Conduct comprehensive site and field assessments to document ecological conditions, hydrology, habitat, slopes, and other physical constraints that affect land use decisions and project feasibility.
  • Prepare planning reports, technical memoranda, environmental review documents, permit applications, and staff recommendations for planning commissions, boards, and elected officials with clear justification and evidence-based analysis.
  • Develop and implement green infrastructure and nature-based solutions (e.g., bioswales, rain gardens, urban tree canopy strategies) to manage stormwater, reduce urban heat island effects, and improve neighborhood resilience to climate impacts.
  • Use GIS and spatial analysis (ArcGIS, QGIS) to analyze land use patterns, model environmental constraints, produce maps, and support decision-making, scenario planning, and public presentations.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement, including public outreach, community workshops, interagency coordination, and facilitation of stakeholder advisory groups to gather input and build consensus on planning outcomes.
  • Review development proposals, conditional use permits, subdivision applications, and site plans for conformance with environmental policies, zoning codes, development standards, and mitigation requirements.
  • Prepare and review regulatory permit packages (e.g., Section 404/401, state water quality certifications, coastal permits, resource agency consultations) and coordinate with resource agencies (e.g., EPA, state environmental agencies, fish and wildlife) to obtain timely approvals.
  • Conduct climate vulnerability and adaptation assessments, integrating sea-level rise, floodplain mapping, heat vulnerability, and stormwater risk into comprehensive plans, capital improvement programming, and design guidelines.
  • Apply environmental modeling tools (e.g., hydrologic/hydraulic models, SWMM, HEC-RAS) and environmental data analysis to predict impacts, design mitigation, and support permit decisions and environmental statements.
  • Develop and update municipal policies, zoning overlays, environmental ordinances, and sustainability plans that advance community resilience, green building, habitat conservation, and low-impact development practices.
  • Prepare grant applications, secure funding, administer grant agreements, and manage grant deliverables for environmental planning initiatives, green infrastructure projects, and resilience programs.
  • Produce high-quality, visually compelling deliverables—maps, graphics, technical appendices, and presentation materials—for both technical audiences and public meetings using GIS, Adobe Suite, and presentation tools.
  • Oversee or perform habitat restoration planning, urban forestry strategy, and biodiversity enhancement projects that integrate native species selection, invasive species control, and ecological connectivity principles.
  • Lead environmental compliance monitoring and post-construction inspections to verify implementation of mitigation measures, permit conditions, and best management practices.
  • Provide technical guidance to design teams, engineers, and architects on environmental constraints, low-impact development (LID) techniques, erosion and sediment control, and sustainable site design.
  • Monitor and interpret evolving environmental regulations, case law, and policy trends at federal, state, and local levels, and translate regulatory changes into actionable recommendations for internal teams and stakeholders.
  • Facilitate cross-departmental collaboration with public works, transportation, parks, housing, and economic development to align environmental planning outcomes with capital projects and community goals.
  • Manage public comment processes, respond to environmental comments, prepare responses to criticism in EIRs/EISs, and ensure transparent documentation of decision-making rationales.
  • Conduct cost-benefit and feasibility analyses for proposed mitigation measures and green infrastructure investments to inform budget prioritization and capital improvement decisions.
  • Mentor junior planners, interns, and technical staff; provide training on environmental review processes, GIS techniques, and best practices in community engagement.
  • Develop monitoring frameworks and performance metrics to measure environmental outcomes (e.g., reduced runoff, increased canopy coverage, habitat restored) and report progress to stakeholders and funders.
  • Support environmental justice and equity analyses to identify disproportionate impacts, recommend mitigation, and ensure inclusive engagement with underrepresented communities.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with internal policy research, preparing briefing notes and policy comparisons that inform council decisions and strategic priorities.
  • Support grant and funding research, draft proposal sections, and manage submission timelines for external funding sources.
  • Maintain and curate environmental data repositories, GIS layers, and documentation to ensure data integrity and accessibility for project teams.
  • Participate in professional networks, conferences, and continuing education to keep the organization current on best practices in sustainability, resilience, and environmental planning.
  • Provide input on procurement requests for technical consultants, participate in scope development and evaluation of proposals, and assist with contract administration.
  • Prepare educational materials, toolkits, and guidance documents for developers, property owners, and community groups on topics such as LID, native landscaping, and energy-efficient site design.
  • Support emergency planning coordination for environmental hazards (flooding, wildfire smoke, extreme heat), integrating awareness of environmental constraints into response planning.
  • Contribute to performance reporting, KPI tracking, and presentation of progress on strategic sustainability and climate goals to elected officials and the public.
  • Provide technical review and recommendations for CEQA/NEPA mitigation monitoring plans and adaptive management strategies post-construction.
  • Represent the agency at public hearings, interagency meetings, and technical advisory committees as needed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Proficient in ArcGIS, QGIS, spatial analysis, map production, and geoprocessing workflows.
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA/SEA): Demonstrated experience preparing EIRs, EISs, initial studies, and environmental checklists for compliance.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: In-depth understanding of CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act (Section 404/401), state environmental regulations, and local ordinance review.
  • Hydrology & Stormwater Management: Experience with stormwater best management practices (BMPs), LID, SWMM, HEC-RAS, and floodplain analysis.
  • Climate Adaptation & Resilience Planning: Skills in vulnerability assessments, adaptation strategy development, and scenario planning.
  • Land Use & Zoning Analysis: Ability to analyze zoning codes, land use plans, development standards, and growth management policies.
  • Environmental Modeling & Data Analysis: Proficiency with environmental datasets, modeling tools, statistical analysis, and remote sensing basics.
  • Technical Writing: Strong ability to prepare clear, defensible technical reports, permit narratives, mitigation plans, and planning documents.
  • Permit & Agency Coordination: Experience preparing permit packages and coordinating with resource agencies, utilities, and regulatory bodies.
  • Project Management Tools: Familiarity with project scheduling, budgets, RFP processes, consultant management, and project management software (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet).
  • Visualization & Design Tools: Competence with Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop, InDesign, and PowerPoint for public-facing materials and technical exhibits.
  • Field Survey & Monitoring: Experience conducting field investigations, ecological assessments, photo documentation, and monitoring mitigation effectiveness.

Soft Skills

  • Clear, persuasive written and verbal communication tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and public facilitation skills, including running workshops and community meetings.
  • Project management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving mindset that balances technical rigor with practical implementation.
  • Collaborative team player comfortable working across departments and with external partners.
  • Attention to detail and quality control for technical reports and regulatory submittals.
  • Political acumen and ability to navigate public processes, council presentations, and interagency negotiations.
  • Cultural competency and commitment to environmental justice, equity, and inclusive outreach practices.
  • Adaptability and continuous learning orientation to keep pace with evolving best practices and regulations.
  • Leadership and mentoring abilities to develop junior staff and cultivate a high-performing planning team.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geography, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Landscape Architecture, or related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree in Urban/Environmental Planning, City and Regional Planning (MCRP/MUP), Environmental Management, Public Policy, Landscape Architecture, or related graduate degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Urban and Regional Planning
  • Environmental Science / Environmental Studies
  • Geography (GIS)
  • Civil or Environmental Engineering
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Public Policy and Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–7 years of professional experience in urban or environmental planning, environmental consulting, municipal planning, or related fields.

Preferred:

  • 5+ years of experience preparing environmental assessments/EIRs/EISs and managing permitting processes.
  • Experience working in municipal or regional government, consulting firms, or non-profit planning organizations.
  • Demonstrated experience with GIS-based analyses, climate adaptation projects, green infrastructure design, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Track record of successful coordination with regulatory agencies and experience securing permits and approvals for development or infrastructure projects.
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