Principal Environmental Planner (Hybrid or Remote)

  • Senior-level, Full-time staff position
  • Posted on 15 December 2025
  • Sacramento, California, United States
  • Remote position
  • Closing on 15 January 2026
  • Current
  • Please login or create a free account to see this job's salary
  • Save for later

Job Description

Description

Principal, Environmental Planning

Hybrid or FT Remote within Central California

We are the Environment & Planning Division of ICF. We are enthusiastic about doing what is right for our clients, our people, the communities where we live and work, and the environment. We are planners, scientists, program managers, communicators, economists, technologists, and strategists. We are collaborative, curious, and committed to excellence—these are qualities we value that make us who we are and inspire us to grow. If you perform well in a fast-paced, engaging, and collaborative environment, and would like to work with a diverse team of industry professionals, we encourage you to learn more about ICF (www.icf.com) and consider applying to join our team.

Although the range below is wider to accommodate growth within the job, this position will have a starting pay range of $140,000 to $170,000 based on % match of qualifications/experience/responsibilities, location, and other.

ICF is seeking a Principal to join our California-based planning team. Our energy, water, transportation, and infrastructure business are growing at a rapid pace, and we are seeking a senior leader to assist with this growth. We lead the environmental compliance efforts for complex and often controversial projects nationwide for private and public sector clients. Our staff work on the most current and important projects for our clients to manage the environmental compliance planning process. In this position you will be a senior leader within California, tasked with the following:

  • Management of federal, state, and local permitting and compliance for transportation, urban development, water, rail, renewable energy and other projects in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] and National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA] and other regulations.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact with local, state, and federal government clients, as well as private sector clients such as commercial/residential/industrial developers, renewable energy developers, and engineering companies.
  • Coordinating the effort of multidisciplinary teams tasked with conducting research, preparing technical documents/deliverables, and interfacing with external clients.
  • Leading business development efforts with a focus on Central California.
  • Solving complex environmental challenges, training and mentoring staff, and representing ICF in various thought leadership capacities across the industry.

What You Will Do

  • Serve as a project director or project manager on large complex projects
  • Maintain a thorough understanding of CEQA and NEPA, including staying up to date on case law and providing support on complex projects to accurately advise clients.
  • Write proficiently with ability to manage multiple project schedules with competing deadlines and budget constraints.
  • Interface directly with key clients and help build and maintain great relationships.
  • Lead business development efforts and contribute to identifying new leads, writing proposals and bookings.
  • Manage and author deliverables.
  • Mentor early and mid-career staff.

What You Need to Have

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental studies, or related field. (Master’s Degree in a related field desirable).
  • 15+ years of environmental planning experience within the transportation, energy, water, and/or planning and development markets.

Professional Skills

  • Experience writing and managing CEQA and/or NEPA environmental documents, and reviewing technical studies such as those addressing biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, noise, traffic, and hydrology.
  • Business development experience.
  • Strong work ethic with a positive attitude and thrives in a collaborative setting.
  • Advanced knowledge and understanding of environmental planning and related fields.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience interfacing with external clients, members of the public, and government officials.
  • Strong analytical skills, including attention to detail.
  • Strong project management skills, including ability to take and give direction, stay organized, and manage time effectively.
  • Commitment to overseeing preparation of high-quality work within established budgets and schedules.

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$130,037.00 - $221,063.00

Applications will be received until this position is filled.

About the Organization

ICF Macro, an ICF International company, is dedicated to improving lives worldwide through service to the public sector. For more than 40 years, Macro has supported the success of governments and businesses by delivering high-quality, research-based solutions to complex problems. ICF Macro has provided scientifically rigorous survey and policy research that has helped shape public health policy and programs worldwide. For the US Agency for International Development?s MEASURE DHS program, ICF Macro has conducted more than 200 national surveys in 75 countries over the past two decades. Core competencies in research and evaluation, social marketing, management consulting and information technology are complemented by in-depth expertise in areas including global health, housing, education, international development, child labor, HIV/AIDS, diversity, and more. ICF Macro is headquartered in the Washington, DC area and maintains offices across the United States. We have conducted projects for private and public sector clients in more than 120 countries.

More Jobs from ICF

Similar Jobs