Environmental Planning Intern

San Diego, CA
Seasonal
Internships
Entry Level

About Rincon

We are proud to be a Certified Great Place to Work, reflecting the trust, connection, and sense of purpose our team members share. We strive to create a welcoming environment where people can learn, grow, and contribute to meaningful, mission-driven work. 

We are a California-based environmental consulting firm with more than 500 professionals and 13 offices across the state. For over 30 years, we’ve provided high-quality, client-focused environmental science, planning, and consulting services across a range of sectors, including transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government. 

Schedule & Location 

This internship is anticipated to run for approximately three months, from June through August. While the internship does not guarantee future employment, candidates who have completed an undergraduate degree may be considered for full-time, regular employment at the conclusion of the internship based on business needs, performance, and mutual interest. 

This position will be part-time (approximately 12–30+ hours per week), with weekly schedules determined collaboratively between Rincon and the selected candidate. Hours may vary based on project needs and intern availability. 

This position is being offered at our Ventura, Los Angeles, or San Diego offices. While this role offers flexible work arrangements that may include a mix of in-office and remote work, changing business needs ultimately determine the level of remote-work flexibility. 

About the Role 

As an Environmental Planning Intern, you will support projects that advance environmental planning, including transportation, renewable energy, and water projects across California. You’ll gain hands-on experience supporting research, preparing planning documents, and contributing to project deliverables while working closely with planners and environmental professionals in Rincon’s Environmental, Planning, and Sustainability (EPS) Group. This role is ideal for recent graduates how love to research and write and are interested in gaining hands-on experience in environmental planning and understanding how environmental regulations, permitting, and planning processes are applied to real-world projects. 

What You’ll Do 

  • Assist with research and analysis for environmental planning projects, including reviewing project plans, environmental databases, regulatory documents, and applicable CEQA guidelines to support environmental impact analyses. 

  • Assist in drafting technical reports and supporting documentation for CEQA and NEPA compliance efforts. 

  • Support project teams through coordination with public agency and private-sector staff. 

  • Assist with preparing planning-related data summaries, graphics, or presentations. 

  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams and represent Rincon professionally in all assignments. 


What You’ll Bring 

  • Current status as a recent graduate who has completed an undergraduate or graduate degree within the past two years in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Urban Planning, or a related field. 

  • Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize information to support environmental planning efforts. 

  • Strong teamwork, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently when needed. 

  • Detail-oriented, organized, and committed to managing time effectively and producing high-quality, professional work. 

  • Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to draft professional emails and support technical report preparation. 

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint). 

  • Creativity, adaptability, and enthusiasm for working in a dynamic consulting environment. 

  • Positive attitude, curiosity, and interest in improving processes and workflows. 

  • Desired: Familiarity with environmental compliance and planning processes (e.g., CEQA, NEPA), including exposure to environmental documentation, permitting requirements, or infrastructure projects.


EEPIC Program Opportunity (Optional)

Students applying for this internship may simultaneously select to apply to the Environmental, Engineering, and Planning Internship and Charrette (EEPIC) program, a partnership among seven leading consulting firms—Ascent, Dudek, EPS, ESA, Fehr & Peers, PlaceWorks, and Rincon. This program aims to expand representation within the environmental, engineering, and planning fields by creating meaningful opportunities for students across all backgrounds. This includes, but is not limited to, students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC); veterans; individuals with disabilities; and students who are the first in their families to attend college. 


In addition to the three-month Rincon internship, EEPIC participants join a two-week charrette, collaborating with interns from partner firms on a real-world planning challenge. This unique experience offers hands-on learning, multidisciplinary teamwork, and valuable networking opportunities.  


To participate, you must be willing to attend a two-week in-person charrette in San Diego from July 13–24, 2026 (travel and lodging provided if needed). Learn more about the EEPIC program, click here. 


Additional Details

The base pay for this internship opportunity is $27.00 per hour. At Rincon, our salary ranges are based on market median of similar jobs, according to third party salary benchmark surveys.

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. 


We are accepting internship applications from January 5th through February 6th, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PST. 
 

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.

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