Environmental Planning Manager - Conservation Lands & Resources

Job Description Summary Department - Conservation Lands & Resources Job Description Job Type: Unclassified Job Classification: 1211 - Environmental Planning Manager Salary Grade: 16 Pay Range Hiring Range: $79,185 - $95,056 Annually Pay Range: $79,185 - $110,905 Annually Range Explanation: Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity. Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position. Pima County’s Conservation Lands & Resources Department is seeking a collaborative and experienced Environmental Planning Manager to help lead, coordinate, and strengthen environmental review across County projects and programs. This position will manage a multidisciplinary review process that brings together planning, engineering, biological, cultural, water, air quality, and other technical perspectives to ensure environmental considerations are identified early, documented clearly, and integrated into project planning, design, construction, and long-term implementation. The Environmental Planning Manager will work across County departments to develop consistent environmental review procedures, track environmental commitments, support regulatory compliance, and advise County leadership on environmental impacts, constraints, and opportunities. Projects may include transportation improvements, linear infrastructure, parks, public facilities, capital improvement projects, private development proposals, and projects involving state or federal funding or permitting. The position may also coordinate County comments on environmental documents prepared by outside agencies or project sponsors. The ideal candidate will have strong experience managing environmental review processes; working knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental requirements; familiarity with construction and engineering design processes; and the ability to translate complex technical information into clear, practical recommendations. This role requires a thoughtful and organized leader who can communicate across disciplines, manage competing priorities, build consistency across programs, and help ensure that County projects advance efficiently while meeting environmental stewardship and compliance responsibilities. The Environmental Planning Manager leads and coordinates environmental planning and review activities for Pima County projects, programs, and development proposals. The position manages multidisciplinary environmental review; works with County departments, partner agencies, consultants, and project sponsors; ensures consistency with federal, state, and local environmental requirements; and advises County leadership on environmental impacts, constraints, and commitments. Responsibilities include reviewing capital improvement and infrastructure projects, coordinating environmental documentation and mitigation measures, developing procedures and tracking systems, and supervising assigned staff and program resources. This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules. Essential Functions: As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor. Plans, organizes, and manages personnel involved in analyzing planning data and implementing environmental policies, regulations, and enforcement procedures; Evaluates capital improvement projects and private development proposals for environmental impacts and advises County leadership; Develops and implements monitoring systems for air, water, biological, and cultural resources in coordination with relevant county departments; Reviews, formulates, and implements changes to environmental policies, regulations, and statutes in collaboration with governing bodies and regulatory agencies; Develops recommendations and monitors implementation of long-range, short-range, and contingency environmental plans; Assesses environmental planning programs for conformity with federal, state, and local laws and guidelines; Examines proposed development plans for compliance, impact, and design considerations, providing guidance to county management; Identifies funding sources, secures grants, and oversees grant programs in partnership with external entities; Manages planning documents for regulatory compliance and supervises rate and bond feasibility studies; Prepares recommendations for modifying county policies and regulations affecting air, water, and land resources; Serves as the departmental liaison to federal, state, and local environmental committees, coordinating activities and programs; Investigates and responds to environmental complaints while presenting study results and departmental plans; Conducts environmental impact studies, develops indices for social, physical, and economic impacts, and prepares technical reports; Trains, supervises, and evaluates staff, monitors budgets for assigned areas of responsibility, and may testify before regulatory bodies as needed. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in planning, resource management, environmental engineering or a related field as defined by the department head at the time of recruitment AND four years of experience in planning. (Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.) OR: Three years of experience with Pima County as an Environmental Specialist, Hydrologist II, Planner II, Engineering Assistant II, or other similar level position as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment. Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application. Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.): Experience managing or coordinating environmental review and compliance for public-sector capital improvement, infrastructure, transportation, parks, utility, or development projects. This may include preparing, reviewing, or administering NEPA documents, environmental assessments, categorical exclusions, permit applications, mitigation plans, monitoring requirements, or similar environmental compliance documentation. Experience coordinating planners, engineers, environmental resource specialists, consultants, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to identify environmental constraints and incorporate avoidance, minimization, mitigation, monitoring, permit conditions, and other commitments into project design, construction documents, and implementation. Master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in environmental planning, urban or regional planning, environmental science, natural resources, engineering, public administration, or a closely related field. Experience developing environmental policies, procedures, or tracking systems; advising leadership; managing staff, consultants, budgets, grants, or program resources; and communicating technical recommendations to decision-makers, partner agencies, or the public. Selection Procedure: Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process. Supplemental Information: Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record. Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Some positions may require completion of a satisfactory personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen. Physical/Sensory Requirements: Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. Action Activity - bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching, squatting, stooping; Motion Activity - grasping; Hearing Activity - in noisy areas, on a radio, behind themselves, equipment alarms; Speaking Activity - in person, on the phone, on a radio, on a cell; Vision Activity - operate a motor vehicle, distinguish colors, depth perception, peripheral vision. Frequently required to lift, push or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Working Conditions: Working conditions will be determined by position. EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law. Pima County stands out as an exceptional workplace, offering a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and personal satisfaction. As one of the largest employers in the region, Pima County prioritizes its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing the unique contributions of each employee. Embracing innovation and collaboration, Pima County provides multiple opportunities in which individuals can make a meaningful impact on their community. One of the key advantages of working for Pima County is its comprehensive benefits package. Employees enjoy competitive salaries, generous health insurance coverage, and retirement plans that contribute to long-term financial security. Pima County recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible work schedules, a generous family leave policy and wellness programs that prioritize employee well-being. Furthermore, Pima County takes pride in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional advancement through training programs, workshops, and educational reimbursement programs. In addition, a County-wide employee recognition program rewards employees who exemplify the County values of being accountable, respectful and ethical as well as providing great customer service. By joining Pima County, individuals become part of a dedicated team working towards a common goal: enhancing the quality of life for residents and building a vibrant future. Pima County is not just an employer; it's a community that values its employees, encourages their growth, and invests in their success.