Assistant Scientist/Planner

BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering, construction management, environmental, planning, and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years.

At BKF, you’ll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.

BKF is hiring an as-needed part-time Assistant Scientist/Planner to provide permitting, technical writing, and environmental compliance support to various projects throughout California. The ideal candidate will support existing projects through desktop contributions and fieldwork when needed. The position involves client-facing interactions and contributions to a diverse portfolio of projects. This position has the option of being remote (with the ability to be in a BKF office when necessary), or hybrid (sharing time between one of the California offices and home).

Responsibilities

BKF is seeking a self-driven, results-oriented Assistant Scientist to support projects and the expansion of our Natural Resources Practice in California. The Assistant Scientist will be responsible for drafting environmental permit applications, supporting environmental fieldwork, supporting GIS efforts, authoring technical reports, and supporting business development pursuits. Job duties include:

• Working with company leadership to achieve performance goals for the Natural Resources Practice team to grow market share in California.
• Supporting environmental compliance as a project manager or contributor, overseeing permit document preparation and related technical studies, and conducting environmental constraints and peer review of CEQA/NEPA documents.
• Experience and technical knowledge managing environmental compliance related documents for a variety of projects and clients, including land development, municipal/local/regional government, transportation, water, energy, general plans, housing, and/or higher education.
• Conducting environmental site assessments in the field, ranging from wetland delineations to biological resource assessments.
• Coordinating complex environmental projects and/or multi-agency/multi-jurisdictional planning and permitting efforts.
• Ability to strategize the environmental compliance needs of a given project.
• Assisting in the process of planning and coordinating projects and developing scope of work and work plans including preparing environmental compliance documents, planning assessments, environmental research and assessment, data analysis functions, timelines, budget, and invoicing.
• Serving as a technical consultant and advisor to elected officials, citizen groups, and other stakeholders related to planning policies/standards, issues, processes, procedures, zoning/rezoning issues, ordinance changes, and environmental regulations.
• Coordinating the work of consultants/contractors and other professionals who are assigned to specific projects.
• Support GIS mapping needs

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Urban Planning, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in environmental science or planning field.
• Must have proven ability and experience working with diverse staff from different disciplines.
• An articulate and persuasive communicator, both one-on-one and in front of large groups.
• A high energy, passionate, forward-thinking, results-oriented team player
• Collaborative and highly skillful at building and maintaining effective working relationships throughout the organization.
• Ability to effectively manage projects and communicate with clients.
• Ability to handle critical conversations with internal staff, managers, and leaders.
• Valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driver’s record are required.

Physical Demands: Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.

Work Conditions: Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.

• The typical base salary range for this position is $30.00-$40.00 per hour, as needed, and may vary depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is an hourly position paid biweekly.

BKF 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.

BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.

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