ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS
Published: Feb 17, 2025 – The Environmental Planner has experience in planning, consulting, and project development to ensure effective management of scope, schedule, and budget for diverse deliverables. Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory frameworks, environmental policies, and restoration strategies supports innovative solutions for regional and ecological planning challenges. Exceptional communication and leadership skills, combined with proficiency in MS Office and strong organizational abilities, drive successful project execution and stakeholder engagement.
Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Environmental Planner Resume
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- GIS Mapping
- Project Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Wetland Delineation
- Site Planning
- Mitigation Design
- Data Analysis
- Technical Writing
- Ecology and Habitat Restoration
- Communication
- Leadership
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Critical Thinking
- Negotiation
- Attention to Detail
- Decision-Making
Summary of Environmental Planner Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume
1. BA in Geography with 4 years of Experience
- Experience in Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or Environmental Design.
- Energetic and eager learner with a professional demeanor
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to identify problems, analyze data, and develop recommendations
- AICP Certification, enrollment in the AICP Candidate Program, or an interest in pursuing AICP Certification shortly
- Basic understanding of the environmental review process at the City, State, and Federal levels.
- Experience with environmental review or land use review, especially within New York City
- Basic to intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Basic skills in GIS and Adobe Illustrator, or similar programs.
- Additional basic skills in Sketchup, CAD, or script writing
- Ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment.
2. BA in Environmental Engineering with 5 years of Experience
- Experience working in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field
- Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) or ability to obtain
- Technical and/or field experience preparing environmental documents
- Strong understanding of transportation and environmental planning principles and analysis methods
- Knowledgeable in delivering highway and transit planning projects
- Experience preparing 404/401 permit applications
- Experience in using GIS for analysis and presentation
- Experienced in preparing documents under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Excellent analytical and communication skills
- Experience working with transportation providers in the South Carolina and North Carolina markets
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in an employee-owned culture
3. BA in Urban and Regional Planning with 3 years of Experience
- Professional experience in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, or Geography
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental policy and regulation in New England
- Experience working with Rhode Island EFSB
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental licensing and permitting regulations to facilitate utility infrastructure projects in Rhode Island
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite of programs (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc)
- Self-starter with strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Strong research, mathematical/scientific, and analytical skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team and collaborative environment
- The ability to prioritize and multi-task under tight deadlines.
- Ability to travel, up to 25% of the time for site visits and client meetings
4. BA in Landscape Architecture with 8 years of Experience
- Professional experience as an Environmental Scientist/Planner in the environmental consulting industry in California, with a transportation emphasis
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
- Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects with critical timelines
- Strong organizational and time management skills and attention to detail
- Highly proficient with MS Office suite (e.g., Microsoft Word, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Project, Adobe Acrobat, Excel).
- Demonstrated success with preparing environmental documents (e.g., CEQA and NEPA) with a transportation emphasis (roadway, bridge, rail).
- Experience and knowledge of NEPA, CEQA, and Federal and California environmental regulatory processes, including Caltrans processes.
- Ability to prepare environmental document sections for multiple resource categories
- The ability to analyze information, develop appropriate impact findings/conclusions, and identify proposed mitigation measures
- Effective in-person, tele/video conference, and written communication with direct reports, colleagues, clients, regulatory agencies, the public, and sub-consultants.
- Ability for periodic travel necessary to support field surveys and/or project meetings.
5. BA in Civil Engineering with 4 years of Experience
- Experience working in statutory planning
- Demonstrated understanding of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Victoria Planning Provisions
- Demonstrated success in obtaining planning approvals including planning permit applications and planning scheme amendments
- An understanding of applicable environmental approval legislation including the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and the Victorian Environment Effects Act 1978.
- Successful experience networking to pursue new opportunities
- Project management experience including managing budgets and timelines
- Client engagement working experience
- Excellent presentation and verbal communication skills
- Excellent report-writing abilities
- Demonstrated ability to function independently and proactively
6. BA in Environmental Policy and Management with 8 years of Experience
- Experience working in the land/urban planning field, actively engaging in general plans, specific/master plans, zoning code updates, public involvement, and regulatory compliance for a variety of client projects relating to development, construction, infrastructure, transportation, environment, resiliency, revitalization, and/or adaptation.
- Effective analytical skills and prior experience with research techniques, local/regional geography, culture, and ecology.
- Knowledge of relevant zoning laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, and applicable Regional/State/Federal regulatory framework.
- Proficient interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
- Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
- Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instructions, work independently, and comply with company policies.
- Experience with discipline-specific software (i.e., ArcGIS,).
- Proficiency with technical business writing, office automation, and communication software, technology, and tools.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to reach conclusions from testing results, and data collation, and identify the most effective manner to accomplish the objectives of assigned projects.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
7. BA in Environmental Science with 6 years of Experience
- Experience in planning, consulting, or project development
- Proficient at managing scope, schedule, and budget for multiple deliverables
- Competence through time management practices, work-life balance, proper plan development, and utilization of resources
- Comprehensive understanding of regional assessment methods, local, state, federal, and tribal regulatory issues and trends, site planning strategies, SEPA/NEPA environmental review and policy, ESA assessments and policy, SMA and GMA policy, freshwater and/or marine ecology, wetland and stream restoration as well as mitigation design
- Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to deliver information to a diverse audience
- Must have strong leadership qualities
- Technology savvy and computer literacy at a moderate level with MS Office Products, with proficiency in Outlook and Word
- Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks to completion
- The ability to read, write, and speak English at an expert level
- Must be able to type proficiently at least 40 words per minute
- Self-motivated, self-directed, and detail-oriented
8. BA in Sustainability Studies with 7 years of Experience
- Experience preparing CEQA/NEPA documents for transportation, railway, energy, private or other federal agency projects including inter-discipline and agency/client coordination or other environmental-related work
- Environmental compliance and fieldwork experience
- Track record in high-quality deliverables and meeting scope, schedules, and budgets on projects
- The ability to provide technical oversight and interdisciplinary coordination
- Ability to manage and or coordinate internal disciplines and sub-consultants
- Understand the level of effort and hours to perform assigned tasks and meet schedule milestones
- Ability to prepare simple to large complex CEQA/NEPA documents
- Familiar with CEQA/NEPA and environmental permitting requirements
- The ability to review design or project plans to ensure details of the project for inclusion in CEQA/NEPA and permit documentation
- The ability to travel occasionally
- Proficiency in software including MS Office, ArcGIS
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the capacity to effectively communicate thoughts and ideas to peers, senior staff, and clients.