Environmental Planner Resume Examples

Writing a great environmental planner resume is important because it is one of the first things a potential employer will see when they are considering you for a position. It is your opportunity to make a good first impression and sell yourself as the best candidate for the job.

Create your resume
Select from 7 professional resume templates

If you're looking for inspiration when it comes to drafting your own environmental planner resume, look no further than the samples below. These resumes will help you highlight your experience and qualifications in the most effective way possible, giving you the best chance of landing the environmental planner job you're after.

Use this template

or download as PDF

Essential Components of an Environmental Planner Resume

An Environmental Planner's resume is a strategic document that showcases your expertise, skills, and professional history in the field. It's essential to articulate your ability to assess environmental impacts, devise mitigation strategies, and comply with environmental legislation. A well-structured resume includes key sections such as contact information, an objective statement, work history, education, and skills. Below, we delve into each section, explaining their significance and what to include, along with tips for enhancing their impact.

Contact Information

Accurate contact information is crucial on your Environmental Planner resume. It enables potential employers to reach out for interviews or further discussion about your application.

Ensure your contact information is up-to-date and professional. Typically, this includes your full name, phone number, and email address. Use a professional email format, ideally combining your first and last names, and avoid casual or unprofessional usernames.

Include links to relevant professional online profiles, such as LinkedIn, to provide employers with additional insights into your professional background.

While including your home address is optional, consider privacy concerns and the fact that most correspondence occurs via phone or email.

Place your contact information prominently at the top of your resume for easy access.

Name: Use your full name for formality and recognition.
Email: Ensure your email address is professional.
Phone Number: Provide a current contact number.
Social Media Profiles: Include links to professional profiles like LinkedIn.
Home Address: Optional, based on your comfort with sharing this information.

Objective Statement

The objective statement is a concise introduction to your professional identity and should capture the attention of hiring managers. It's often the first element they notice, so it must be impactful.

Clearly state your career goals, emphasizing your most relevant skills and experiences. For an Environmental Planner position, highlight your understanding of environmental regulations, land use planning expertise, or project management skills.

An effective objective statement might be: "As an adept Environmental Planner, I am eager to apply my comprehensive knowledge of environmental regulations, sustainable development practices, and project management to contribute to XYZ Company's innovative projects."

Customize your objective statement for each job application, aligning it with the job description and showcasing measurable achievements when possible.

Express your passion for environmental conservation to differentiate yourself from other candidates.
Keep your objective statement brief, no more than two sentences, to maintain focus and ensure it's read.

A well-crafted objective statement provides a snapshot of your qualifications and career goals at the outset of your resume.

Educational Background

Education is a cornerstone of an Environmental Planner's resume, reflecting the academic foundation that equips you for the role.

Environmental Planners typically hold a bachelor's degree in fields such as environmental planning, urban planning, environmental science, or geography. Advanced positions may require a master's degree. List your degrees, the institutions where you earned them, and your graduation dates.

Include any specialized training or courses related to environmental planning, such as GIS, land use planning, sustainable development, or climate change adaptation, to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of critical environmental planning topics.

Certifications, like the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification, can significantly enhance your resume.

Highlight any practical projects or research work from your education that pertains to environmental planning, such as environmental impact assessments or conservation plans.

Overall, your Educational Background section should showcase your formal education, relevant training, and certifications that qualify you for an Environmental Planner role.

Professional Experience

The "Professional Experience" section is where you detail your practical experience and demonstrate how you've applied your skills to environmental planning initiatives.

List relevant positions in reverse chronological order, including job titles, organization names, locations, and dates of employment. Describe your responsibilities and achievements using bullet points, starting each with a strong action verb and quantifying results when possible.

For instance, instead of "Participated in urban development projects," you could write, "Led a team of 5 in sustainable urban development initiatives, achieving a 30% reduction in carbon footprint over two years," showcasing leadership and tangible outcomes.

Highlight experiences in environmental research, policy development, land use planning, resource management, and community engagement, especially if you've worked on significant projects like environmental impact assessments or conservation plans.

Ensure this section aligns with the job requirements of the positions you're targeting. Reflect on the job description and ensure your professional experience mirrors the key tasks and skills sought by employers.

Don't overlook transferable skills from non-environmental planning roles, such as project management, data analysis, or stakeholder engagement, which are valuable in this field.

Skills and Competencies

The "Skills and Competencies" section is a showcase of your abilities that are pertinent to the job's requirements. Consider including the following:

Understanding of Environment: Proficiency in environmental laws, sustainability, urban planning, and ecological systems.
Analytical Abilities: Competence in data analysis and GIS tools for environmental impact assessments.
Project Management: Skills in planning, organizing, and executing projects with multiple stakeholders.
Communication: Ability to articulate complex environmental concepts, write reports, present findings, and collaborate with teams.
Problem-Solving: Aptitude for balancing competing interests within environmental regulations.
Research: Skill in conducting research to gather data on environmental impacts of proposed projects.
Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with software like AutoCAD for creating site plans or designs.
Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changes in policies and technology within environmental planning.
Negotiation: Ability to negotiate with various stakeholders to achieve environmentally sound agreements.
Attention to Detail: Meticulousness to avoid overlooking details that could lead to significant issues.

Provide examples to illustrate how you've applied these skills in previous roles or projects.

Certifications and Licenses

Certifications and licenses are important credentials for an Environmental Planner's resume, reflecting commitment to the profession and specialized expertise.

The AICP certification is a prestigious credential requiring a combination of education, experience, and examination. The Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) designation from the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals is another valuable certification, demonstrating proficiency in impact assessment, resource management, pollution prevention, and environmental law.

State-specific licenses may be necessary for work on sensitive environmental projects.

Highlighting the right certifications and licenses on your resume can distinguish you as a dedicated and knowledgeable professional. It also signals your adherence to high professional standards in environmental planning.

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
Certified Environmental Professional (CEP)

Include all certifications with their full names, acronyms, issuing organizations, and dates of issuance or expiration. If you're currently pursuing a certification, mention this to demonstrate your ongoing commitment to professional development.

References

The "References" section validates your professional credibility and expertise in environmental planning. Typically, it includes the names, contact details, and your relationship with individuals who can vouch for your skills, work ethic, and knowledge.

Select references who are familiar with your work in environmental planning, such as former supervisors, colleagues, professors, mentors, or clients from specific projects.

Ensure your references are aware they may be contacted by potential employers. Obtain their permission before listing them and brief them on the job you're applying for so they can provide pertinent information about your qualifications.

Strong references can attest to your expertise in areas like environmental impact assessment, land use planning, sustainability initiatives, or conservation planning. A credible reference can affirm your ability to collaborate effectively with various groups, including government agencies, community organizations, or developers.

Choose references who can offer detailed and positive insights into your work. High-profile references are impressive, but the most important factor is the ability to provide a meaningful endorsement of your capabilities.

If references are not requested initially, it's acceptable to note "References available upon request" at the end of your resume.