As Environmental Permitting Director, you will be part of an organization responsibly developing utility-scale wind, solar and battery energy storage facilities in California, New York and Texas. This role has an emphasis on environmental-related planning and permitting large-scale solar and battery energy storage projects located in the County of Kern and Kings County in the Development phase. To fulfill these duties, you will support and collaborate with other internal teams such as development, engineering, construction management, as well as external teams like environmental consultants and legal counsel. Responsibilities may also include participating in permitting support with external stakeholders such as state/federal resource agencies, and conservation organizations.
The ideal candidate is dependable, self-motivated, organized, with a keen attention to detail and able to collaborate and communicate effectively in a team environment, take direction and complete tasks in a thorough and efficient manner. This individual must be able to handle multiple priorities and projects at various stages of development.
This is a remote based position primarily focused on projects in the County of Kern and Kings County. Preference will be given to candidates based in Bakersfield, CA with permitting experience under CEQA.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage multiple projects, tasks, and deadlines for projects in the Development phase.
- Project planning, scheduling, and resource management
- Ability and desire to maintain organized project records and paperwork.
- Coordinate with consultants providing environmental survey support, which includes reviewing proposals, scheduling survey timelines, and ensuring that survey methodologies follow resource agency requirements and satisfy permit conditions/project needs.
- Review technical reports provided by consultants. Reports typically include but are not limited to: desktop environmental screenings/habitat evaluations, biological surveys, wetland delineations, and other analyses prepared for environmental review purposes such as cultural, air quality, traffic, etc., and post-construction monitoring studies.
- Review project design in collaboration with development and engineering to ensure compatibility with project commitments/requirements.
- Work collaboratively and efficiently with internal teams and external parties (e.g., consultants, legal counsel) to execute project work on schedule, and develop strategies to address environmental-related issues.
- Coordinate if asked with local, state and federal agencies on the project’s behalf.
- Knowledge of environmental policy, regulation and compliance that affect permitting and impacts on project siting and compliance.
- Support environmental due diligence for development and acquisition opportunities.
- Follow safe work practices and commit to a culture of compliance consistent with company policies including Code of Ethics and Employee Handbook.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- 6-8 years in renewable energy permitting
- Familiar with key environmental impact assessment issues under CEQA and within the California energy sector (New York and Texas is a plus).
- Must be detail oriented, with the ability and desire to work effectively with positive people skills and in a team environment.
- Strong attention to detail, assuring documents and written communications are concise and accurate.
- Excellent verbal communication skills and presentation with clarity and confidence.
- Must be able to attend Kern and Kings County Planning Departments meetings, hearings and project check ins.
- Preference given to individuals who have familiarity with Kern County and Kings County planning department and permitting procedures in renewables.
- Familiarity with federal and state environmental laws (ESA, NEPA/CEQA, FEMA, CWA, etc.), guidelines, and policies, and developing utility scale renewable project strategies for compliance with the same.
- Able to act and adapt to a fast-paced business environment with competing deadlines, and quickly learn and implement internal processes.
- Ability to navigate web-based mapping platforms (i.e., Google Earth) to interpret environmental spatial data and identify potential project risks for facilities.
- Preference given to residents of Bakersfield, California and Southern California. Experience in Texas and New York is a plus.
