Entry-level Environmental Planner Roles at HELIX Environmental
Julia, an Environmental Planner III at Helix Environmental Planning, started as an "environmental planner one right out of college," gaining experience with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance through on-the-job training, mentorship, and professional workshops. This progression, coupled with increasing responsibilities and opportunities to learn from peers, showcases a clear career path for entry-level environmental planning positions.
Environmental Compliance, Environmental Planning, Project Management, Professional Development, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Julia Pano
Environmental Planner III
HELIX Environmental Planning
University of California, Davis
N/A
Environmental & Related Sciences
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Climate, Environment and Sustainability
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level positions exist for recent graduates, such as "Environmental Planner I", offering on-the-job training and mentorship.
2. Opportunities for professional development are abundant, including workshops, training sessions (AEP), and internal/client meetings.
3. Career progression is possible within the company; the interviewee advanced from "Environmental Planner I" to "Environmental Planner III" in a short period.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
I started my time at Helix Environmental Planning as an Environmental Planner I right out of college. I graduated from UC Davis in June of 2021 and started my job at Helix in August of 2021. As an Environmental Planner I, it is an entry-level position. You are trained on the roles and responsibilities of an environmental planner as a whole.
When I started at Helix, I did not have direct professional experience related to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). I learned about CEQA and NEPA mostly through my college courses at UC Davis. However, once at Helix, I was provided with training materials and mentorship to help me succeed.
I was given a mentor who answered my questions regarding projects, environmental compliance, documentation, career development, and life at Helix in general. I was given many learning opportunities when I first started, and even now, including attending Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) workshops and trainings.
These virtual or in-person trainings and workshops provided me with current information on CEQA legislation, skills on how to write environmental compliance documentation, and how to manage CEQA versus NEPA document types. It's always helpful to learn from those who have been in the industry for years and have worked on many different project types.
As I started my career, I was also given opportunities to sit in on important internal and client meetings, allowing me to learn from my peers on how to manage projects efficiently and adequately. Each year at Helix, I progressed from an Environmental Planner I to Environmental Planner II, and now currently Environmental Planner III. With each year I progressed, I was also given more responsibilities.
Preparing and managing projects at Helix has helped me learn and grow in my professional career path. I've already learned so much at Helix, and I'm still excited to continue to learn and grow as an environmental professional.