Program specialist Jobs in Concord, CA

Position Summary:
The SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM MANAGER is a senior technical and leadership role responsible for directing environmental planning, regulatory compliance, permitting, construction-phase oversight, and project closeout for complex electric transmission and related energy infrastructure projects throughout California and the western US. This position requires a minimum of 20 years of specialized California regulatory experience and a demonstrated ability to successfully navigate CEQA, secure multi-agency permits, manage construction compliance programs, and bring projects to full environmental closeout while protecting client schedules and budgets.

Essential Functions:
• Lead program-level environmental strategy and delivery for portfolios of electric transmission projects, from initial routing/siting through NEPA/CEQA, permitting, construction, and closeout.
• Oversee CEQA/NEPA analyses, permitting strategies, biological surveys, T&E species consultations, and compliance across multiple projects.
• Develop and execute multi-project permitting strategies and secure approvals from federal, state, and local agencies.
• Oversee construction monitoring, compliance, reporting, and restoration activities across the program.
• Ensure successful program-level closeout, including final reporting and regulatory releases.
• Provide strategic program-level guidance, risk management, and oversight to project teams and clients.
• Mentor and lead teams of environmental professionals while ensuring consistency across projects.
• Demonstrate mastery of formal program controls including risk registry, scope, schedule, quality, and budget with earned value metrics.
• Represent the organization at high-level meetings and support business development.
• Acknowledge and participate in OMS H&S programs and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by OMS or the client.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Biology, Natural Resource Management, Urban/Regional Planning, or closely related field. Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 18–20+ years of increasing responsibility managing electric transmission or related linear infrastructure projects in California.
• Extensive experience managing large-scale electric transmission projects through full lifecycle (routing/siting, NEPA/CEQA, permitting, biological surveys, construction compliance, and closeout).
• Strong technical background as an environmental planner, biologist, or engineer.
• Mastery of formal project and program controls including earned value, EAC, and schedule variance.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification strongly desired.
• Valid California driver’s license and ability to travel 10–25% with occasional overnight stays.
• Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
• Valid California driver’s license and ability/willingness to travel to project sites across California (approximately 20–40% travel, including occasional overnight stays).
• Conduct a background check, drug screening, and physical exam.
• Must have and maintain a clean driving record.

Preferred:
• Direct experience supporting California Investor-Owned Utilities (PG&E, Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric) on electric transmission projects.
• Experience with NEPA and federal agencies, particularly for projects involving federal lands (BLM, USFS), USACE permits, or federal funding.
• Professional certification such as AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners), CEP (Certified Environmental Professional), or PMP (Project Management Professional).
• Familiarity with program management tools and GIS.

Working Conditions:
HYBRID - Environmental Factors: Indoor and outdoor conditions; exposure to heat, cold, potentially hazardous chemicals, toxic materials; work on/walk on slippery or uneven and potentially mountainous terrain. Noise level is usually moderate. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to, talk, hear, stand, sit during extended periods of time, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch lift, push, pull, walk for extended periods of time, walk long distances and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to perform tasks during a typical 8+ hour workday.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, stand, walk for extended periods of time, walk long distances, sit during extended periods of time, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to perform tasks during a typical 8+ hour workday.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & DISCLAIMER
OMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This position description is intended to convey the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to add, modify, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.