Climate Adaptation/Resilience Planner

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 550+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place To Work® certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences.

Through our Sustainability Climate Resilience (SCR+) practice, we collaborate with clients to develop innovative, ambitious, and science-driven climate action and adaptation plans. We also support the implementation of these strategies, helping transform goals into real, lasting change in communities. We built our SCR+ practice on a clear principle: our work should lead to measurable, positive outcomes for the communities we serve. Our team brings deep technical expertise and a commitment to practical, equity‑focused solutions, whether we’re guiding policy development, supporting implementation, or helping organizations navigate the complexities of a changing climate.

We are expanding our team with people who are motivated by impact, grounded in science, and ready to collaborate in building more sustainable and resilient communities.

We are seeking a Climate Resilience Planner who will support Rincon’s SCR+ Practice in developing and implementing climate action and adaptation plans, resiliency strategies, climate impact modeling, climate change vulnerability assessments, and other related products and projects. The Planner will support projects for cities, counties, and special districts across California, with a primary focus on climate adaptation and resilience. This includes assessing existing conditions, modeling future climate impacts, identifying vulnerabilities, and developing strategies to address hazards such as wildfire, extreme heat, drought, sea level rise, and flooding.

Because many of our projects break new ground, the Planner must be comfortable working through ambiguity and helping shape solutions where no clear template exists. The role involves leading and supporting a portfolio of projects, managing budgets and workflows, coordinating with clients and partners, guiding engagement efforts, and overseeing and contributing to technical analyses. This position will require an entrepreneurial spirit, strong project management, technical analysis, and data management skills, strong communication and writing skills, and a good working knowledge of the climate adaptation and climate legislation in California.

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

• Assist with the preparation and design of Climate Action and Adaptation Plans, resiliency strategies, and other documents

• Develop and implement strategies to help communities adapt to climate change impacts, such as wildfires, extreme heat, sea-level rise, and drought.

• Manipulate and utilize Climate Hazards Center (CHC) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CHC-CMIP6) to analyze local risks, particularly regarding wildfire, precipitation, and increasing temperatures, to identify vulnerable populations and infrastructure.

• Evaluate sea level rise related hazards based on CoSMoS tools.

• Perform research for complex projects including modeling short- and long-term resilience benefits, implementation costs, GHG reduction and other co-benefits, and other impacts

• Integrate climate adaptation and environmental justice policies into local government planning documents

• Prepare drafts of technical memoranda, meeting minutes, transmittals, presentations, and other written materials

• Utilize various quantitative and qualitative modeling methods and protocols

• Work independently and as part of a team to develop solutions for quantitative and qualitative problems

• Interact with various members of public agency and private client staff on matters of sustainability and climate action and adaptation

• Promote a culture of ownership, teamwork, engagement, quality service, and customer satisfaction to our public and private clients.

• Enhance Rincon’s professional reputation and demonstrate the ability to be creative and innovative with these tasks while representing Rincon in a professional manner

• Work closely with Rincon Principal(s) and Managers to promote our business interests in adherence with the company’s mission, vision, and values

• Engage with diverse communities and stakeholders and communicate complicated scientific and climate related topics.

• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor(s)

• Bachelor’s degree in, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Accounting, Engineering or related discipline

• 4 years+ of related experience plus Master’s degree, or 2 years of related experience plus a PhD

• Experience managing budgets for multifaceted work programs

• Data management and analysis experience

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel or equivalent

• Strong interest in climate science and problem solving

• Excellent communication, planning, budgeting, and organizational skills

• Strong writing skills

• Enjoy fast-paced and varied work

• Positive attitude and eager to streamline and improve process and workflows

• Highly motivated with strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team

• Organized, detail-oriented, resourceful, strong time management skills, and innovative

• Demonstrated experience in energy, climate, or related field preferred

• Demonstrated experience completing complex calculations or modeling desired

The base salary range for this full-time position is $70,000–$110,000, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page.

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.

Rincon Consultants, Inc does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.