Looking to make a measurable impact on California’s environment while growing your technical expertise? HELIX Environmental Planning is seeking a motivated early career Environmental Specialist to join our NorCal Environmental Planning Group. If air quality, climate change, and noise analysis excite you—and you want hands-on experience with meaningful projects—this Environmental Specialist role is your opportunity to grow with purpose.
Why HELIX?
At HELIX, we pair technical excellence with a people-first culture. Our teams work on complex, high-impact projects while supporting professional development, collaboration, and mentorship. This Environmental Specialist position offers a hybrid schedule, with at least three days per week in the office to support training, teamwork, and career growth. You’ll be part of a collaborative NorCal EPG team, primarily supporting projects in the Sacramento region.
Day in the Life
As an Environmental Specialist, your days will include running air quality and noise models, interpreting regulatory guidance, collaborating with planners and engineers, and contributing to CEQA/NEPA documents. You’ll balance focused technical work with team coordination and see how your analyses directly shape real-world projects.
What You’ll Do
- Conduct air quality, GHG, energy, and noise modeling and analysis as an Environmental Specialist
- Prepare technical reports and environmental document sections (IS/MNDs, EIRs, EISs, EAs)
- Apply tools such as CalEEMod, EMFAC, AERMOD, and FHWA TNM
- Evaluate impacts and determine significance under CEQA and NEPA
- Develop mitigation measures and support alternatives analysis
- Coordinate with project managers and multidisciplinary teams
- Respond to agency and public comments with clear technical support
- Maintain quality control and regulatory compliance in all deliverables