Main Responsibilities of an Environmental Planner at HELIX Environmental Planning
As an Environmental Planner III at HELIX Environmental Planning, Julia's main responsibilities include preparing "California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and/or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Compliance documents" for diverse clients, ranging from public agencies to private developers. This involves managing multiple document types, conducting technical studies using modeling software, and coordinating with internal teams and clients to ensure projects are completed "accurately, efficiently, and within the desired cost and timeframe," showcasing a rapid career progression with varied project experience across California in just three years.
Environmental Compliance, Technical Report Writing, Project Management, Client Communication, Environmental Modeling
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. Prepares various environmental compliance documents such as EIRs, NDs, and EAs for a diverse clientele, including public and private entities.
2. Conducts technical studies using modeling software to assess air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise levels.
3. Manages projects, communicates with internal teams and clients, and ensures projects are completed within budget and timeframe, showcasing career progression opportunities within the field
Transcript
What are your main responsibilities within your current role?
As an environmental planner, my main responsibilities include preparing California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental compliance documents for a wide range of clients. These clients include public agencies, private developers, state agencies, and federal agencies, among others.
During my workday, I research, prepare, and manage multiple types of environmental compliance documents. These include environmental impact reports (EIRs), mitigated negative declarations (MNDs), environmental assessments (EAs), and categorical exemptions (CEs).
I also prepare technical studies used in our environmental compliance documents, such as air quality and greenhouse gas emissions reports, and noise reports. For these studies, I use modeling software to determine the levels of air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as noise levels from project construction and operation.
After three years at Helix, I am beginning to manage more projects with the oversight of my project manager. As an environmental planner, I actively communicate with my internal team by coordinating with our multidisciplinary groups. Helix has a biological division, a cultural division, a regulatory division, and a GIS team.
I also communicate actively with clients by scheduling check-in calls or project status calls. This ensures our documents are prepared accurately, efficiently, and within the desired cost and timeframe.
In my three years at Helix, I have worked on a wide variety of projects throughout California. These include residential, commercial, industrial, and public infrastructure projects like pipelines and parks, as well as mixed-use developments.
When I receive a project, I review all the information provided by the client and begin preparing the environmental compliance documents. I work on the project until it is approved by the lead agency. I also ensure the project progresses and is prepared to the highest quality, within the desired budget and timeframe.