Environmental Planner IIIII

Job Description

Environmental Programs Department

The Environmental Programs Group is responsible for environmental review of VTAs capital projects VTAs Sustainability Program and VTAs Stormwater Management Program. Environmental review includes preparation of federal and state environmental documents; compliance with environmental laws and regulations; acquisition of regulatory agency permits; management of mitigation plans and programs; and coordination on a wide range of environmental topics. VTAs Sustainability Program is responsible for reducing the consumption of natural resources and the generation of greenhouse gases in the provision of transportation services through utility management transportation electrification climate action planning waste reduction and education. VTAs Stormwater Management Program is responsible for complying with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit known as MS4. The Program aims to reduce pollution of local creeks and the Bay through the implementation of best management practices in project design and construction educational initiatives for staff and the public and enhanced maintenance and sustainable landscaping.

What Youll Be Doing :

Definition

Environmental Planner II : Under supervision an Environmental Planner II manages environmental studies and environmental compliance programs; and assists in the review of land development applications and documents for impact on transportation systems and / or facilities; and supports VTAs sustainability program.

Environmental Planner III : Under direction an Environmental Planner III performs comprehensive environmental planning analysis and administrative duties for transportation projects and environmental compliance programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Environmental Planner II :

This is the journey level in the Environmental Planner class series. Positions at his level are expected to be conversant with relevant environmental laws regulations and guidelines in order to achieve compliance of transportation projects. Incumbents conduct environmental analysis of projects in concert with other staff and consultants and may have responsibility for management of the environmental phase of minor projects or for specific portions of larger projects. This classification reviews environmental documents and development applications received from cities / regional agencies for project impact on the transportation system and / or facilities.

Environmental Planner III :

This is the advanced journey level in the Environmental Planning series. Positions at this level work independently on the largest and most complex projects directing reviewing and coordinating the work of assigned project staff consultants and representatives of other public agencies in multi-disciplinary teams. Incumbents conduct environmental analyses of transportation projects and programs with minimal supervision and are expected to be conversant in and achieve compliance with relevant environmental laws regulations and guidelines.

Positions at this level require the use of initiative and judgment in resolving problems and recommending effective courses of action. This classification is distinguished from the Environmental Planner II classification in that positions in this class may act in a lead capacity over the work of lower level staff and consultants.

Ideal Candidate :

VTA is seeking candidates with experience preparing federal and state environmental documents in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This job may be for you if you are a generalist with experience in multiple disciplines and enjoy reviewing technical studies and reports attending interagency meetings and coordinating closely with consultants and public agencies. Environmental Planners work primarily in an office setting with very limited field-based work. The ideal candidate would possess a positive attitude good sense of humor collaborative spirit and strong work ethic.

Salary

Depending on qualifications this vacancy may be filled at the II or III level.

Environmental Planner II : $49.45 - $64.30 Hourly / $3956.00 - $5144.00 Biweekly / $102856.10 - $133743.90 Annually

Environmental Planner III : $53.95 - $70.15 Hourly / $4316.00 - $5612.00 Biweekly / $112216.00 - $145911.90 Annually

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area VTA is Santa Clara Countys authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus) congestion management transportation-related funding highway design and construction real estate and transit-oriented development and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local state and federal partners VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable accessible community-focused transportation options that are innovative environmentally responsible and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus light rail and paratransit services as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain Capitol Corridor and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the countys congestion management agency VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning including congestion management design and construction of specific highway pedestrian and bicycle improvement projects as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county including Campbell Cupertino Gilroy Los Altos Los Altos Hills Los Gatos Milpitas Monte Sereno Morgan Hill Mountain View Palo Alto San Jose Santa Clara Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan visit : Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave lactation accommodation and work / family balance.

Essential Job Functions

Typical Tasks

Environmental Planner II :

• Plans coordinates and reviews the work of a multi-disciplinary professional and technical staff and / or consultants conducting environmental studies of minor complexity;
• Manages and coordinates environmental planning research and analysis of proposed VTA projects including the planning design and construction phases of capital projects maintenance and operation of facilities and issuance of permits;
• Analyzes and evaluates the impact of proposed transportation projects and plans and provides technical input to project design to mitigate adverse environmental effects and ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations;
• Organizes prepares and processes environmental documents monitoring and reporting plans technical reports and responses for transportation projects and plans;
• Prepares scopes of work schedules and budgets for program activities and assists with negotiating consultant contracts;
• Prepares necessary applications and acquires permits from regulatory government agencies in compliance with environmental regulations;
• Coordinates organizes and presents environmental matters before commissions governing bodies and at inter-agency and public meetings;
• Provides status of financial expenditures and account balances;
• Develops rationale for legally defensible nexus between transportation mitigation and project impacts;
• Reviews public and private land development referrals (General and Specific Plans EIR Notice of Preparation and Project Applications for Site Development Planning Development Subdivision Zoning Changes);
• Develops cooperative arrangements and agreements between public and private sectors for development projects that impact transportation facilities;
• Performs related duties as required.

Environmental Planner III :

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards

Environmental Planner II :

Development of the required knowledge skills and abilities is most typically obtained through training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree in environmental studies natural or physical science transportation or urban planning or a related field and one (1) year of experience in compliance or monitoring of environmental issues. (A Masters Degree in environmental transportation or urban planning or related discipline may be substituted for one year of the required experience).

Environmental Planner III :

Sufficient training education and experience to demonstrate possession of the required knowledge skills and abilities.

Development of the required knowledge skills and abilities is typically obtained through a combination of training and experience equivalent to a graduation from an accredited college or university with a four-year degree in environmental studies natural or physical science transportation or urban planning or a related field and four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in environmental planning including preparing and processing environmental documents for compliance with federal state and local environmental laws regulations and guidelines; managing related environmental compliance and mitigation programs; and reviewing environmental documents and development applications for project impact on transportation systems and / or facilities. (A Masters Degree in transportation or urban planning or related discipline may be substituted for one year of the required experience).

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of :

Environmental Planner II :

Environmental Planner III :

Ability to :

Environmental Planner II :

Environmental Planner III :

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as continuous we encourage you to apply as soon as possible as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Important : Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications resumes Job Interest Notification Cards or incomplete / unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information

All updates regarding your applicationincluding notices for testing and interviews will be sent via email . Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support contact NEOGOV at Monday through Friday 8 : 00 AM 5 : 00 PM (PST) excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing

All current and prior relevant work experience including experience with VTA must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as see resume are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected even if you meet the minimum qualifications.

While you are welcome to upload a resume it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications . Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications experience education or training may result in disqualification and / or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU ) . Wages hours and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Tentative Examination s :

Oral Panel : Week of January 5-9 2026

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check reference checks verification of education or certifications and a criminal history review before appointment.

For sensitive positions V TA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur . Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation please contact the Human Resources Department at or email at least five business days before the test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age ancestry color marital status mental or physical disability genetic information national origin immigration status political affiliation race religion creed sex gender identity gender expression sexual orientation pregnancy medical condition disabled veteran or veteran status etc.

Key Skills

GIS,JAWS,Military Experience,Business Management,Emergency Management,Joint Operations,Production Planning,Relationship Management,Strategic Planning,ERP Systems,Exercise Planning,MRP

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Yearly Salary Salary : 102856 - 145911